Look at this closely
Windmills and advertisements
Snow covered mountains
Leaving the desert
Sign asks, “Where are you going?”
Word below: Heaven
Yes, eventually!
But don’t send me there too soon.
First, we’re headed home.
Christmas still is there
Waiting to be taken down.
Can’t it last all year?
Keep on playing!
See ya later.
Don’tcha just hate it:
The end of Christmas season?
Can’t it last all year?
Leave lovely lights on;
Keep the manger love alive.
Let the angels sing 🎶
Don’tcha just hate it:
The thought of putting away
The decorations?
Keep Christmas alive
In your heart and in your life
The entire year long.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
I pray your first day of the new year was wonderful.
See ya tomorrow.
We had a wonderful day yesterday – the day of Bob’s 81st birthday. It started at our son’s house in Placerville where happiness definitely knocked on our door and entered in full array!
We went to church with our family at “Jesus Culture” in Folsom. We filled a row in the congregation of more than 1,500 people. It was amazing! Every seat was filled. People were standing in the aisles. The music and the message were God-inspired.
After church we visited dear, long-time friends whom we had not seen in a decade. We learned that our friend has stayed in touch with us (between years of Christmas cards) by following my Facebook posts. She doesn’t click “like” or leave a message, so I had no idea that she was one of my regular followers. When we got together, the years dissolved … and it was like we had never been apart. Do you have friends like that?
After that wonderful visit, with a delicious lunch and memorable, heart-felt, warm conversation, we returned to our son’s house where we celebrated Bob’s 81st birthday. Our daughter-in-law and granddaughter made Bob’s favorite birthday “cake,” a Jamoca-Almond-Fudge pie. Mmmm!
I pray that the happiness we feel be in your heart today. May it knock on your door, stay late, and leave the gifts of peace, love, joy and good health behind.
From George & Kathy Goodrich
A poem by Madeleine L’Engle
First Coming
He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace.
He came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.
He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine. He did not wait
till hearts were pure. In joy he came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
he came, and his Light would not go out.
He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word make Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.
We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!
Madeleine L’Engle
John 1:14
“And the Word became flesh
and dwelt among us,
and we have seen His Glory…
full of grace and truth.”
Meaningful Relationships
Meaningful Conversations
help lead to
Meaningful Relationships.
The grace and truth of “The Word”
are two of the most essential elements
of meaningful conversations.
“The Word” is Christ – His Love – and His Example to us.
The “thinking, talking, and acting”
in faith are essential elements of
meaningful relationships.
Importance of Intimate Words
Meaningful conversation is not small talk.
It is heart-felt, genuine sharing from your soul.
It’s transparent.
It doesn’t have to be long.
It has to be deep and authentic.
It has to be free of intimidation,
and opening intimate…
knowing it is spoken in TRUST.
From “This Day’s Thought,” an anonymous quote reminds us:
“The love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay,
love isn’t love till it’s given away.”
Stay Connected
Yesterday we went with Ty, Monika and Sam (our son, daughter-in-law, and grandson) to Amador County, California. Kevin (the one in the black jacket) was a high schooler – and friends with Ty in their teens. Distance cannot keep us from remaining friends with Kevin, his wife, Karen, and their beautiful daughter, Morgan.
Just as we stay connected with them through annual Christmas cards and occasional phone calls, and face-to-face visits whenever we can, we also stay connected with Kevin’s parents. Our honest, open, intimate sharing of life’s joys and struggles keeps our friendship alive and meaningful. It’s a blessing!
Family Dynamics
Just as “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we [see] … His Glory… full of grace and truth,” so it is that this son of our flesh, a gift from God himself, dwells among us full of grace and truth. We are so grateful for the way in which he and Monika open their hearts and home to the greater family … and allow us to converge on them en mass!!
We are a diverse group of people, connected by the Love of Christ, the Blessings of the Spirit, and the determination to remain open and honest with one another. It ain’t always easy. It ain’t always purrrdy! But, it is always worth it… and it is what God calls us to do.
Love One Another
I Corinthians … “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always TRUSTS, always HOPES, always preserves.”
May the love in your heart reach out in honest, intimate, trust-worthy conversation. May it protect and preserve your relationships. May it be
Tell me about a relationship
you are keeping alive with
intimate words of love and caring.
Thanks for being a sharing friend.
It’s Friday after Christmas –
The tree is standing there
With lights and ornaments sparkling
But underneath, it’s bare.
Presents all were given
To our loved ones with a smile,
But now the family’s leaving –
Traveling off many a mile.
We created quite a ruckus
As we laughed and reminisced.
Sisters and their families far away
Were in our hearts, but missed.
It’s a quiet Friday morning –
The family is mostly gone.
I sit alone with my memories
In this beautiful early dawn.
What memories of Christmas
Float in your heart this day?
I hope they all are happy ones –
As loved ones are safely on their way.
It’s not the Christmas presents
Given from under the tree;
It’s the present of love’s presence
That means the most to me.
God gave us His Son on Christmas morn.
We celebrate the JOY of Jesus’ birth.
Celebrate the gift of LOVE He gives to us
With our friends and family here on earth.
Merry Christmas weekend to you, my friends.
May Christmas live on in your heart.
May you always remember His gift of grace –
And pass that love and peace along – do your part!
Sending love and hugs…
See ya tomorrow.
Christ First at Christmas
Family, Food and Fellowship
Fun Around the Tree
I hope you had a Christmas filled with Family, food, and fun, too. I pray your memories are as sweet as mine. Merry Christmas, my friends. May the spirit of the holidays live in your heart and bring you joy – all year long!
Have a great day after.
See ya tomorrow.
Hugs to You !!
Inspire to Love
Let the SonShine!
You inspire me to respond
Learning to Live; Living to Learn; Learning to Love; Living in Love
