Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Archive for the ‘blogging’ Category

I Can Stay in Touch

I can stay in touch
Though miles separate us
Thanks to internet

I love the selection of memes available

I can stay in touch
Thanks to the power of prayer
I feel close to you

I can stay in touch
Using WhatsApp on my phone
It is a great tool

Photo by Matheus Bertelli on Pexels.com

When I stay in touch
With the help of my iPhone
Distance disappears

I can stay in touch
Across wide, long, deep spaces
Nothing can stop me

You can stay in touch
Through the power of WordPress
Come on, write to me!

I’ll write back to you
You are not too far away
We can stay in touch!

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Cheers, my friends!

Hugs,
JanBeek

Category:

blogging, Family, friendship, Haiku, Living in Harmony, Love, Poetry, relationships, Sharing, writing

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I Can Sit Quietly

I can sit quietly and wallow in this life called retirement.
Like a child wallowing gleefully in a mud puddle,
bouncing, splashing,
and a puppy rolling in it,
I can roll through my days,
bounce from one activity to the next,
and make a splash
as I enter my 14th year of blogging.

Once upon a time my blog had hundreds of followers
but as time went by, things changed,
I changed,
and priorities changed.
Life is like that.
But I still maintained my connection
with a small group of blogging friends.
We have sent sunshine into each other’s lives.
Come join us today!

After a few years of dwindling posts,
I have decided to return to my quest
to encourage love, joy, peace, faith and unity
through daily blog posts.
Thank you for joining me.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Waking each morning from a restful night’s sleep
I can make myself a cup of coffee,
climb the circle staircase to my sanctuary,
and sit quietly in my rocker.
I can (with the help of my hearing aids)
hear the ticking of the clock.

I can sync my breathing to the clock’s rhythm.
Try it.. You can do it, too. Slow down. Breathe

I can listen for the voice of the Almighty
as I rock gently to the rhythm.
I can read my daily devotionals
and meditate on God’s Word.
I can plan my day as I tune in to
God’s will for me today.

Praise God!
Count my blessings.
Pray for my family, friends,
country, and this world.
Confess my shortcomings,
and ask for forgiveness.
I CAN live each day with purpose.
You can, too.
Let’s do!

Let’s sit quietly and ask God for guidance.
You with me?

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, blogging, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, peace, prayer

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Returning to My Blog

I have had a break from my blog for awhile. Why? Spending time with visiting friends and family this summer and early autumn has taken precedence. Also, for the last 300+ consecutive days I have been doing a daily French lesson on Duolingo. Can I speak French now? No… But I can read and understand some. Time to move on. So, I’m exchanging that focus for now. I’m returning to my daily blog posts. I hope you’ll join me.

Today, I reread a response from a friend who wrote to me back in 2021 with this comment:

“You lit a candle in my mind and heart this morning when I read your blog post … Thank you for spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity through your blog…”

I kept a copy of that blog response in my journal titled, “I Can and I Will, Watch Me!” The entry that day in 2021 was, “I CAN Be an Inspiration.” That is my mission… and I have been neglecting it here on WordPress. But, I’m back!

My journal has 124 entries, each starting with “I Can…” As the “Inspirational Leader” I read one a month last year to my friends at Madison Valley Women’s Club. They responded very favorably to the inspirations. For the next few months, let me share one a day with you, okay? Hopefully you will follow along, and “I Will” be an inspiration to you, too. “Watch Me!”

I CAN Inspire!

I’m not in retirement
I’m in re-inspirement
Each day a new opportunity
To inspire
and
To be an inspiration
grabs me!

What is the secret
to being an inspiration?

Love people
and
Try to understand them.

Reach out in love
today.

Sincerely tell
at least three people
today,
“I Love You.”

Laina, Nicky & DeDe, I love you!

There! I did it! Your turn.

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

blogging, Family, friendship, Living in Harmony, Love, relationships, Sharing, writing

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Dec. 12 Word of the Day

Happy Thursday to you!
Using the prompts from @sanctifiedart,
I am enjoying the opportunity to share
the “Words for the Beginning”
each day with you during this Advent season.

Today’s Word is:

When you think of that word,
what picture comes to mind?
I asked AI to generate a picture
and this is what they sent:

I was happy to see AI’s first response
was people connecting, not some mechanisms!

I imagine the image below
is not the kind of connection that
@sanctifiedart envisioned when they
selected CONNECTION for
today’s Word.

When I think of connection,
I think about social media
and about telephone connections
and about the way we feel
when we maintain
long-distance relationships.

Media type connections
can be a blessings
or
they can be a curse.

When we see people
ignoring their companions-at-hand
while they keep their focus on their cell phones,
it feels like such a waste!


For me to make connections
that really matter,
connections that last over time
and that satisfy my heartfelt needs,
I need physical contact.
I need hugs.
I need face-to-face.
I need kisses.

How about you??

What images does that word
CONNECTION
conjure up for you?

What connection in your life
fills your heart with
love
hope
and
joy?

Besides my dear husband
with whom I will celebrate
63 years next February,
the other vital connection
is described in
this scripture:

I imagine myself as a
Child of God,
reaching out constantly
to connect with God.

My fingers grasp His Hand
just like a little child
reaching for his or her father.
My connection to God,
my Heavenly Father,
is my most important
CONNECTION.

WHAT’S YOURS?

See you tomorrow
with the next Word of the Day.
Thanks for visiting
JanBeek
and following along.
I appreciate my connection with YOU!

God bless you!!

Category:

Bible Lessons, blogging, Faith, friendship, God, Gratitude, Living in Harmony, Love, relationships

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Words of the Day

“A Sanctified Art” is the Advent program
my friends at church and I
are using this Christmas season.

It was suggested that we take or find a photo inspired by the Word of the Day
and share it daily on social media. I have been remiss.
We’re already nine days into Advent and I have not posted
these words or photos for you to see.

But, I have colored the quilt pattern that contains the words…
and I have contemplated the meaning of each of the words
as they came due. It’s not too late to begin sharing.
Today’s word is: “Embrace.”

You might expect me to post a picture of Bob & me embracing,
but I’m not going to be so predictable!

It’s easy to embrace those we love,
but learning to embrace the storms of life…
that’s a different story!

kid hiding on pillows

Yesterday’s word was “Together.”
That was a much easier word to embrace!
It was our bonus daughter, Elaina’s birthday –
and she was able to be together with her daughter and son-in-law to celebrate.

And a Happy Birthday to you, dear LainaLainaLaina!!

It was a party day for our son, Ty and his wife, Monika,
and they were able to host a large group of leaders from their church.
There is such joy in that kind of togetherness!

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We returned recently from a three week trip to Switzerland …
and the togetherness with our daughter, DeAna, was magical!

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When you think of the joy of togetherness, what comes to your mind?
And in terms of embracing the storms of life,
what is a storm you are facing?
Tell me about it… and I will certainly
add your resolution to my prayer requests.

See ya tomorrow with the word of the day
for beginning your December 10th.

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

blogging, Christmas, Faith, Family, friendship, God, Life's Challenges, relationships, writing

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Favorite Pastime

The prompt for today asked me to identify my favorite pastime…
I am doing it: writing.
Especially writing on my blog, but also
writing text or e-mail messages to family and friends
and sending greeting cards for all kinds of occasions
ie: Birthdays, Anniversaries, Get Well, Thinking of you…

Daily writing prompt
What is your favorite hobby or pastime?
View all responses

Writing poetry is another favorite activity.
If you’ve read my blog for awhile, you know
I like to take sermon notes in church on Sundays.
Sometimes they rhyme… but more often lately
they are free verse. It’s my way of capturing
the main message as I hear and understand it.

Rev. Mary Grace Reynolds
used Matthew Chapter 5:13-16
as her springboard for today’s message.
Here’s what the sermon said to me today:

Be Salt and Light

Salt preserves.
As Christians,
We, too, must preserve
What is right in the world.

We must become
Salt and Light.
Salt that exists
For a specific purpose.

Light that shines
As a witness to Jesus.
Salt that creates
A thirst for what is Good.

Fight for each human’s
Right to live in
The light of Torchbearers –
Lighting the way for others.

Blessed are the merciful.
Blessed are the peacemakers.
Think first to help someone else.
Be a light who blesses others.

Don’t lose your saltiness.
Don’t cover your light.
Create pathways to
Wholeness in this world.

Amen?
Amen!

Are you Salt for a specific purpose?
Does that influence your choice of
Favorite Pastime?
Does your purpose shed
Light on your pathway?
Is it peaceful?

What is your favorite pastime?
Don’t tell me you don’t have one!

Hah!
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, blogging, God, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Love, peace, Poetry, relationships, sermon notes, Serving One Another, writing

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Prioritize

Today’s prompt asked me about my #1 priority for tomorrow. Why tomorrow? I need to live today first. Take each day as it comes! Carpe’ Diem!!

Daily writing prompt
What’s your #1 priority tomorrow?
View all responses

Ann Kaplow posted a blog today on the subject of aging.

Day 4288: Age

In her blog she wrote, “Age is a topic that adults of different ages often talk about in my therapy groups. We have so many preconceptions and judgments about age. For example, women aren’t supposed to share their age. Why not? I’m proud that I’ve reached the age of 71.”

She posted many quotes about aging. They got me thinking about that topic and how it relates to today’s prompt. Prioritize tomorrow? What about today? You’re one day older… How do you feel about it?

Do you look in the mirror and count your wrinkles?
Or do you wink at the mirror and thank God for another day?

I commented about aging on Ann’s blog. This is what I wrote:

“Aging is a gift not all humans are given. It’s a privilege to age along side my 85-year-old hubby. I’m only six months behind him. We will celebrate our 63rd anniversary this February (and there were nay-sayers who said it wouldn’t last!). I can honestly say we love one another more now than we did the day we were married. It’s a well worn, comfortable, endearing, respectful love. If you are given the gift of aging, unwrap it, flaunt it, appreciate each day, share your gained wisdom, and thank God for each sunrise-sunset. Life is a gift!”

The Lord promises His continued love and concern for the elderly. “I will be your God throughout your lifetime — until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you (Isaiah 46:4)

Thank God for this new day.
What is your number one priority for today?
Carpe’ Diem!

God bless you!
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Aging Gracefully, Bible Lessons, blessings, blogging, Faith, Family, Gratitude, happiness, Life's Challenges, Love, mental health, optimism, relationships

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Father’s Day: Remembering Pop’s Favorite Things

I love this post by Dwight Roth. Just have to share it!

How would you remember your “Pops”?

Pop’s Favorite Things My pop was not only a preacher But a teacher, a storyteller, and a cook Loved people interactions Had many stories to tell such…

Father’s Day: Remembering Pop’s Favorite Things

Category:

blogging, Family, Love, Memories, relationships, Sharing

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Middle Name Expedition

I found this blog to be so fascinating and so well written that I just have to share it with you. Tell me, are you as enchanted as I am with the linguistic artistry of this post?

The Middle Name Expedition: Unveiling the Hidden Treasures Within
I just discovered this young man today.
A great discovery!

Hugs from Janet Laura (JanBeek)

Cheers to Alex Pendell of
A Life Well Lived

Category:

blogging, Love, writing

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Bee Like a Lobster?

close up shot of lobster claw
Photo by Kindel Media on Pexels.com

Do you want to bee
Like a lobster every day?
They never stop growing
In a physical kind of way.

Each day they are alive,
They eat, reproduce, and grow.
One grew to forty-four pounds
It was a whopping 3′ long – Whoa!!

I want to bee a lobster
Who constantly grows, too.
But my growth would develop spiritually
Each day I travel through.

Too often we become lazy –
Satisfied with our status quo.
But lobsters are never complacent.
No wonder they continue to grow!

I need to revive my commitment
To nourish my mind and my heart
With the same tenacity as the lobster.
Today’s a great day to start!

close up of lobster
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Keep Growing!!

“But grow in the grace and knowledge
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

2 Peter 3:18

Today’s post was inspired by an entry in All God’s Creatures, a Guideposts publication. Shirley Raye Redmond wrote a commentary titled, “Keep Growing” for the November 27 entry.

She ended her thoughts with this quote by Oswald Chambers:

“Spiritual maturity is not reached by the passing of years,
but by obedience to the will of God.”

dog s paw on a human s hand
Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

Isn’t it interesting that when I search for photos related to obedience, the pictures all are of dogs? Not us human beings. No, the word conjures up obedient dogs! Would that we could be as responsive to discipline as a dog is! Or as committed to growth as a lobster!

Look up for your purpose!

Bee like a lobster
Or a dog –
Committed and Obedient…

Keep Growing!

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Animals, Bible Lessons, blogging, Faith, God, health, life, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Love, Poetry, writing

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