Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Archive for the ‘Life’s Challenges’ Category

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

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Using AI

Using AI is easy

Useful and easy
But it’s only as smart as
The prompts we give it

Tell AI “useful”
And you get a new razor
But, is it easy?

Only enter easy
You get artificial plant
Can you compare them?

Razor or a plant?
Neither met my unique needs
I need languages

Useful and easy
It’s not French, but Spanish, please
AI, can you help?

I can learn Spanish
With the help of some AI
Easier than French

On-line is more fun
Than a boring old textbook
Now, don’t you agree?

Let’s go together
Do Duolingo on-line
Si, si, Amigo!

Love, JanBeek

Category:

books, Haiku, Life's Challenges, Poetry, writing

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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

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Speak Up!

Today I wrote a letter to the editor of our local paper, the Ennis, Madison County Montana Madisonian. I decided it is time to write to my state and federal representatives, too, and write to my friends and neighbors locally about my concerns for the present divisiveness and for the future of our country (and the world). The USA is headed in the wrong direction. We must reverse course and reunite with our friends at home and abroad. We must do our part to stop the insanity. Here is what I wrote:

“Dear Editor,

In the February 12th Madisonian Opinion page, Doris Fischer’s letter to the editor, titled “Ignore the Drumbeat at our Peril” was very inspiring. She warned and encouraged us all. In her final paragraph she cautioned, “We citizens all need to pay close attention to what is happening.” She quoted other local citizens whose cautionary posts reminded us that we need to speak up and we need to choose our federal representatives wisely. Doris concluded that we “…must study up on the candidates running for this year’s Primary and General Elections… (and then) Vote.”  It’s never been more important than it is now for us to pay attention to what is happening to our democracy, to our foreign relations, and to our moral base. If you are as concerned as I am about the divisiveness in today’s politics, then it’s time for you to speak up, too. We desperately need fervent voices to promote love and compassion. Join me! Write a letter to your representatives. Tell ‘em what you think. Promote neighborly sanity, world-wide peace and unity, and respect for all. Yes, as Lois Stephens wrote in her letter, “Enough is Enough!” 

Jan Beekman”

Hugs and lotsa love to you from
JanBeek

Category:

Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, relationships, writing

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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

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Merry Christmas!

It is Christmas Eve

Santa is loading his sleigh

Wisemen on their way

Following the Star

Presents under tree

Just like those of Wisemen three

Selected with care

Praying Christmas is

A time to stop and believe

Why we celebrate

What do you believe?
He came for you and me!

Enjoy family

Cherish all the memories

Praise God for His Son!

Merry Christmas from JanBeek & Bionic Bob

Cochlear implant

Brings back the world of hearing

Best Christmas of all!

Merry Christmas!

Category:

Christmas, Family, Gratitude, Life's Challenges, Love, Poetry

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Surgery Done

Bob’s surgery (the insertion of a cochlear implant) is done. Lots of prayers for him… and they are really appreciated. Thank you, my WordPress friends. Now, the request is for successful healing and a safe drive home tomorrow (it’s 400 miles) and there’s a possibility of snow.

Bob – after surgery
Me… now… just sitting the sit!

And praying for all this to be worth it. Ultimately- better hearing. Please!

Love, JanBeek

Category:

blessings, courage, Gratitude, health, Life's Challenges, prayer, Travel

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Prayers Appreciated

Bob’s in surgery as I type this. He’s getting a cochlear implant. Praying the surgery goes without a hitch and the end result will bring him back into the world of better hearing. Prayers appreciated.

Bob was prepped by very excellent folks here at Billings Hospital

Love from

JanBeek

Tis the season!

Category:

Faith, health, Life's Challenges, prayer

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Resilience

Richard (Dick) Peterson has a blog titled From Big Sky Buckeye

In it, Dick shares entries from his journals. Today’s entry said:

“Resilience allows life’s next breath to continue with another step.“

AI generated that “big step” photo for me. I find it interesting that big step and next breath are used in a way that links our head to our feet. It is true for me that when I am ready to take a “big step” it has to be a decision made at the head and heart level.

What next step are you ready to take? Will it take resilience to take that next breath and continue?

Sending love your way today.
JanBeek

Category:

blogging, Life's Challenges, Sharing

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6 Sentence Blog Post

GirlieOnTheEdge invites us every week to “Write 6 Sentences.
No more. No less.
Use the current week’s prompt word.”

Today’s prompt word is “Trick.”
Here goes:

The innocence of young children captivates my heart.
Halloween is a time when a test on the innocence might start.
When children are introduced to “Trick or Treat,” treats are expected.
Some years ago tricks were handed out – no innocence respected.
There were apples with a razor inside, or popcorn balls with poison inserted.
Many children have had to stop the door-to-door so danger was skirted.

Let’s just love, shall we?
Protect the innocence.
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

blogging, children, Heartache, Life's Challenges, Love, Poetry

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