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Embrace Expectant Waiting


Are you waiting expectantly for something?
Somewhere in time what you long for
Is out there for you … you just need to
EMBRACE EXPECTANT WAITING.

(I recommend you listen to that gorgeous
piano and orchestra as you read this blog.
“Somewhere in Time” – so beautifully played
From Maksim Mrvisa/Royal Philharmonic Orchestra)

I have been waiting – trying to be patient –
This past nine months has felt a little like
The nine months of pregnancy:
Expectantly waiting for a new beginning!

But unlike the birth of a baby,
This wait has birthed for us
A new pastor for our church…
And now we have to wait.

Wait for the Presbytery to approve –
Wait for Mary Grace to check out of her college dorm
And check back into her home in Tennessee
And check out of there to drive here.

Meantime, as we wait expectantly,
God says, “Live in the now!
Every day is a new beginning.
Don’t waste today waiting for tomorrow.”

What are you looking forward to?
Are you waiting expectantly for retirement?
Are you planning a cruise or a vacation of some sort?
Are you anticipating a visit from special family members?

DeAna’s new toy

Our daughter, DeAna, who lives in Switzerland,
Is anticipating a trip to Turkey this September.
She bought herself a motorcycle so she can
Ride her own bike – not sit behind on her hubby’s.

I would not be looking forward to such a trip.
I’d be shaking in my boots! But Bob & I are
Eagerly anticipating a trip to England and then
On to Switzerland to spend time with De & family.

We also are expectantly waiting
For our trip to California next month.
We’re going there for my sister’s memorial –
We’ve waited half a year for this closure.

What are you expectantly waiting for?
It seems to me that life is more exciting
If you have something to look forward to.
Never stop dreaming about tomorrow’s joys!

While Mary Grace, our new pastor, was here last week,
The weather decided to rain and snow and blow.
It was mid-May for crying out loud! S’posed to be spring!
So we eagerly anticipated springtime’s return.

Yesterday when Mary Grace flew back to Virginia,
Montana was gray and cold – not looking like spring at all.
But today we had the most beautiful blue sky with
Puffy clouds and warm temperatures. Go figure!!

Our Madison Range was hidden behind grayness,
But today the gray lifted and beautiful snow-capped
Mountains emerged. That’s Jack Creek Canyon
And Fan Mountain out there. Come back, springtime!

Knowing I was missing the colors of spring,
My friend, Lisa, in North Carolina, sent me
Photos of her gorgeous roses in her garden.
I am expectantly waiting for our flowers now, too.

Romans 15:13

“May the God of hope fill you with
all joy and peace as you trust in Him,
so you may overflow with hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Because the future SOMETIMES (often) depends
On what you do today, look for the joy and hope around you.
Do whatever you can to make today the best it can be.
Don’t worry about tomorrow. Just live today with joyful expectation.

Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

Romans 8:24-25

“For in this hope we were saved.
Now hope that is seen is not hope.
For who hopes for what he sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see,
we wait for it with patience.”

We waited for the pastor candidate we did not see.
We waited for the congregation to vote affirmatively.
And now we wait for our Mary Grace to return
And begin her spiritual leadership in our church.

It’s hard to wait with patience, but we are told
Like those beautiful roses that sprang from a plant
That was brown and leafless in the winter,
The blossom will bloom – and it’ll be worth the wait.

My mom often told me when I was
Eagerly, anxiously, anticipating something,
“Cross that bridge when you come to it!” Good advice!
Go back now to the top now… and watch that musical video.

The images are wonderful. This bridge is one of them.
“Edited video Leonidas” – magnificent!
Worth the wait!


Tell me, what are you
expectantly waiting for?

Thank you for taking time to visit JanBeek today.
See ya tomorrow (God willing)

Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, flowers, God, life, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Love, mental health, Montana, mountains, music, optimism, relationships, Travel

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Embrace Pentecost Sunday


Pentecost Sunday at MVPC

Today is the day we have been waiting for: Pentecost Sunday.
It is the day our pastor candidate, Mary Grace Reynolds,
presented the sermon for our congregation.
She not only preached, but she did the whole sheeebang!

Her prayers, her management of the announcements,
her Call to Confession and Assurance of Pardon,
her Children’s message, the way she interacted
with young and old … all were so lovely, so perfect!

After the service, the members stayed and cast their ballots.
100% of the members voted to affirm her candidacy.
100% of the members voted to affirm her “Call.”
That included her salary package, reimbursable items,
and general terms of employment – no dissentors! Hooray!

The Holy Spirit came in tongues of fire to the people
On that first Pentacostal Sunday. It enabled the people
to speak in the language of their hearer… a miraculous day.
Today felt miraculous to me. Thank you for your prayers!

We all prayed for this vibrant, young pastor
fresh out of seminary –
ready to serve the Lord!
Mary Grace Reynolds

If you have followed my blog for a while, you know I post my sermon notes on Sunday afternoons. I take notes as I listen, and I try to capture the main points of the message in poetry. Here are my notes from today’s message:

A Greening

Inspired by the New Testament scripture:
Romans 8:18-30

Red is the color of love
. It’s cultural shorthand for things warm & vivid
It symbolizes the brightness of joy
Also paints emotions angry and livid

Red is the tongues of the Holy Spirit
Tongues of fire that came down from on high
Paul tells in the book of Romans
The meaning of the glory from the sky

The Holy Spirit brought hope to hearts
The Spirit intercedes for us
When we don’t put our scripture notes
In a binder & they shuffle, we fuss.

The Holy Spirit tells us to wait
Reorder the pages – and take a breath
Know that others are forgiving
They know a mistake is not sudden death

Going on – the meaning of colors –
The red enhanced by the color green
Is when the people tune back in
To hear the message – what does red mean?

The alms and cadavers and elements
Were explained as they impact the world
Hildegard’s approach to medicine explained
Kept us tuned in as new ideas unfurled

The power of nature to put forth healing
Was linked to the nature of creation
Nature is inclined to create new life
And it anticipates newness with elation

Humans, the Earth, and the Holy Spirit
Are trapped in a state of decay
The Holy Spirit gives us the tenacity
To hang in – to endure day by day.

The Holy Spirit helps us understand
The holiness of our yearning & pain
The pain is a signal that tells us
We need to endure, for God will remain

God gives us the Holy Spirit
To guide us into seeking solutions
Our hope is stored in what we don’t see
But leads us to resolution

It helps us resolve to be
The light that directs people to see
The Fruits of the Spirit in us
Lord, help the world see that love & peace in me.

Amen

My day started with a message from my friend, Lisa.
She sent me pictures of roses from her garden.
The red of these roses symbolizes love to me
And I share that love with you today, my friends.

Just as red comes in many shades,
So does the expression of how we care
Vary in a multitude of ways. Thank you
for reaching out and covering us in prayer.

God heard.
God answered.
God is good
All the time!

Welcome to Madison Valley Presbyterian Church, Mary Grace!

We are soooo delighted that the Holy Spirit led you here.

Lots of Love!

Thanks for visiting JanBeek on Pentecost Sunday.
Have a great rest of your day.
See ya tomorrow (God willing)

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, God, Gratitude, Living in Christ's Family, Love, Montana, prayer, relationships, sermon notes, Serving One Another, writing

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Embrace Trust


Where do you place trust?
Only in the hands of God.
Know He’ll pull you through!

Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all ways submit to Him – and He will make your paths straight.”



See ya tomorrow.
Have a good night’s sleep.
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Haiku, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Love, music, peace, Poetry, Promises

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Embrace Friends


Time to embrace friends
Time to invite them again
Leave the masks behind

Time to hug our friends
Time to share a laugh or two
A welcome relief!

May 21st and it’s snowing outside!!
Loved having the Feldmans & Lyons
here to meet Mary Grace
and share a meal with us
My Native American pancho
is just what MGR needed
to go out and face the bitter cold
The wind blew the snow
It fell and swirled all around
Indian blanket

Just grin and bear it
Don’t worry, spring will return
We will survive this!

My daffodils are probably toast
And the crocus will wait to return next year
They’re buried under four inches of powder
But the ground needs the moisture – never fear
The snow will melt and the sun will shine
By Sunday we could be wearing shorts
Keep an eye on the weatherman
But don’t put too much stock in his reports!

Pray for good weather Sunday!

We’re getting ready for Pentecost Sunday
Mary Grace will preach for the congregation
Afterward, at a special meeting, members will vote.
I’m praying we’ll have cause for celebration.

Pray with me, will you, my friends?
Have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks for dropping by.
See ya tomorrow.

JanBeek

Category:

friendship, Haiku, Living in Christ's Family, Love, Poetry, prayer

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Embrace Goodness


Exodus 33:19

And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

Psalm 23:6

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

When I ask God each day
To help me live in the Fruits of the Spirit,
I begin by thanking the Lord for
The love, joy and peace that are mine,
But then I ask Him to help me with
The patience, kindness, and goodness
Which do not always come naturally.
I ask for help with the faithfulness
Which brings blessings, and then
Help with gentleness and self control.

Those nine fruits of the spirit are God’s gifts.

Because I have the love, joy and peace,
I can give them away … and they return to me.
When I give love, I exhibit God’s gift through
My actions – and He multiplies it in me.

God’s goodness is exhibited in the gentle breeze;
It is felt in the warmth of the sunshine and in the
Heartfelt hugs of a friend who finally can come visit.
It is evident in every bird’s song and every flower’s blooming.

God’s goodness is in my hospitality – my open door.
God’s goodness is in my phone call or the note I send.
God’s goodness prompts me to share the Good News
And invite you to love God and trust His promises – as I do.

God’s goodness is in you!
Embrace Goodness –
And share it freely.
It will return to you overflowing!

Join the “Spread Goodness” Challenge –
Be the goodness you want to see in this world.
What can you decide to do right now
That will spread GOODNESS in your path?

As Nike says,
“Just do it!”

Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
See ya tomorrow (God willing).

Good night!


Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, friendship, Giving, God, happiness, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, music, peace, Poetry, relationships, Serving One Another

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Clear Conscience


Yesterday I wrote about embracing a clear conscience. Then I went up to my sanctuary and read some of my devotionals. As is often the case, I was astounded at how God synchronizes my reading and writing and my life.

One of my devotionals is a Bible Study published by the Moody Bible Institute, Today in the Word.

My friend, Caroline, and I are studying the books of 1st & 2nd Thessalonians. The topic on Wednesday was “Living with Integrity.” Integrity is one of my favorite words … one of the most important life concepts. Without it, there is no way we can have a clear conscience!!

Thessalonians 4:11

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life.”

Photo by Gary Barnes on Pexels.com

A quiet life is one that knows when to tune out the thunder, avoid the noise and the crowds, and settle into a peaceful place where introspection is possible.

If we never steal ourselves away from the hustle and bustle long enough to look at ourselves honestly and listen to the Holy Spirit directing us, and analyze our thoughts and actions, how can we hope to live a life of quiet integrity with a clear conscience?

The Moody devotional reminded me:

“A quiet life does not mean moving to the country.
It can be described as taking care of one’s own responsibilities,
as opposed to meddling in others’ affairs.
Such a person is peaceable and respectful of others.”

When we stop,
take a break,
slow down,
and look around us
and inside our souls,
we open ourselves
to discover
the beauty
and the peace
around
and
in
us.

Peace be with you, my friends…
Peace – inside and out.

Amen

Thanks for visiting JanBeek.

I love hearing about how you’re doing…
What’s your secret to a clear conscience
and a peaceful existence?

See ya later! (God willing)

Category:

Bible Lessons, contentment, Faith, God, happiness, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, music, peace, prayer

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Embrace a Clear Conscience


Having a clear conscience is one life’s joys.
Looking at myself in the mirror has to be
A time when I can honestly say to myself,
“I am being my best self. I like what I see!”

Life is not about being perfect.
Life is not about never making mistakes.
Life is about appreciation and forgiveness,
Loving God and one another – that’s what it takes.

A clear conscience doesn’t come because
You never say or do things you eventually regret.
It comes because you admit your failings,
Ask forgiveness, receive it, and then forget!

Don’t forget the lessons that you learn
From the errors you readily can see,
But put the mistakes behind you, never to be
Repeated – Never to divide you and me.

Photo by Deeana Creates on Pexels.com

I try not to let my faux pas get me down.
I know I am only human and I disappoint,
But I try not to become entangled in them.
There’s more to life than to finger point!

My conscience is clear when I know in my heart
That my motives were pure when I blew it.
So, if there’s more to it than admittance,
Remorse, and forgiveness, who knew it?

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com

Whatever I said or did to hurt you,
I really didn’t aim to bring harm.
So hug me, my friend, and forgive me –
So my conscience won’t sound the alarm!

I can embrace a clear, clean conscience –
One that is free to stand quiet and true
Before my Lord and Savior, my Maker.
I pray the same blessing, my friend, for you.

May you experience the “Sweet Forgiveness”
That Christ can provide so we can pass it on.
As we embrace a clear conscience, may we
Spread the love so others also have a Bright New Dawn.

1 Timothy 1:5

But the goal of our instruction
is love from a pure heart
and a good conscience
and a sincere faith.



I had not heard Gordon Mote before –
and I didn’t know this song. Was it new to you, too?

Do you have a clear conscience?
If not, is there something you need to
ask God to help you clear up
so you, too, can have a clean slate?

I invite you to contemplate
what that level of forgiveness
means in your heart
as you sit quietly for awhile
and listen to the soothing piano
of this “Gaither Instrumentals.”

Thanks for dropping by JanBeek today.

See ya tomorrow (God willing).

Category:

Bible Lessons, contentment, Faith, God, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, Memories, mental health, music, Poetry, prayer, relationships

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Embrace Harmony


Live in harmony
Let your steps dance to the tune:
“Embraceable You!”

Romans 12:16-18

Live in harmony with one another.
Do not be haughty,
but associate with the lowly.
Never be wise in your own sight.
Repay no one evil for evil,
but give thought to do what is honorable
in the sight of all.
If possible,
so far as it depends on you,
live peaceably with all.

Living peacefully
Brings out the best in others –
Invites harmony.

Photo by Candelario Benu00edtez on Pexels.com

Beautiful to see –
Guys who live in harmony –
Enjoy company.

The relationships
Born of friendship and shared joy –
Beautiful to see.

Photo by Gabby K on Pexels.com

Beautiful to be
Playing harmoniously –
Embracing friendships.

As my outer world
Reflects my inner spirit,
Harmony abounds.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is humanitylove.png

Happiness is when
what you think,
what you say,
and
what you do
are in harmony.

Mahatma Gandhi

My friend, Elaine Forsberg, recently left this earth for her eternal home. The memorial service for her was last weekend. She was a woman who raised her children to love God, follow Jesus, embrace harmony, and play harmonically. She did all those things herself. She taught by example.

Her son, Jim, plays the guitar and the saw! Her daughter, Peggy, also plays the saw… and the violin (magnificently). If you had attended Elaine’s service, you would have come away knowing this was a woman of great integrity – a woman who loved God – a woman secure in her destiny.

The Gandhi quote above fit Elaine Forsberg to a tee!

Besides loving God, Elaine loved music. She played the piano and made it possible for her children to appreciate the beauty of harmony.

The video below with its beautiful harmonies and gorgeous scenes of nature would be a favorite of hers. It’s a favorite of mine, I sang in the A Capella Choir all four years at the University of the Pacific. It was one of my favorite activities in college – and those harmonies still live in my heart.

To survive in peace and harmony,
united and strong,
we must have one people,
one nation,
one flag.

Pauline Hanson

My prayer today is this:

O Lord, may we learn to live in harmony.
May our world embrace harmonious unity.
Help us, God of Creation,
to learn to follow Your commandments.
There is no better way, we know, to live peacefully.
Help us “Embrace Harmony”
and spread its beauty to all we meet.
Today we focus on harmony, peace, wholeness, and joy.
Embrace us, O Lord,
as these thoughts flower in our consciousness –
and bring our dreams of world-wide harmony to vivid life.
Amen.

Thanks for visiting JanBeek.

May you feel the peace of harmony
in your heart today.


God bless You!
See ya tomorrow!

Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, friendship, God, Gratitude, Haiku, Jesus, Life and Death, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, music, peace, Poetry, prayer, relationships

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Embrace God’s Will


Elfchen (or Elevenies) are 11 word poems
in the configuration of 5 line stanzas,
each with a count of 1+2+3+4+1.

God
Is here
He’s always near
I feel His presence
Listen

God
Speaks clearly
Read His Word
And follow His Commandments
Obey

God
Knows best
Open your heart
Feel Him inside you
Trust

God
Is patient
He always understands
He waits for us
Follow

LISTEN
OBEY
(Relax… God’s gotcha covered)
TRUST
FOLLOW
(Yes, “Where He leads me I will follow –
with JOY!)

Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.

I’m headed for church this morning.
I hope you are, too.


See you later.

Category:

Faith, God, Jesus, life, Living in Christ's Family, Love, mental health, music, Poetry, prayer

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Embrace Your Roots


When I hear the word “Roots,”
I think of the TV program
that captivated the nation
in 1977 when it first
was aired on ABC.

Roots is an American television miniseries based on Alex Haley‘s 1976 novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family. The series first aired on ABC in January 1977. Roots received 37 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and won nine. It also won a Golden Globe and a Peabody Award. It received unprecedented Nielsen ratings for the finale, which still holds a record as the third-highest-rated episode for any type of television series, and the second-most watched overall series finale in U.S. television history.[1][2] It was produced on a budget of $6.6 million.

If you are a genealogical buff, “Roots” conjures up images of family history … and maybe links to Ancestry.com.

When I see or hear the word “Roots,” I also think of this scripture:

Jeremiah 17:7-8

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord
And whose trust is the Lord.
“For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.

Roots
Buried deep
Connect to vine
Result in the branches
Mine

John 15:5

“I am the vine, you are the branches:
He that abideth in Me, and I in him,
the same bringeth forth much fruit:
for without Me you can do nothing.”

My roots are planted deep in faith.

Rooted and Grounded
In the name of the Lord
Rooted and Grounded
By the Holy Ghost

If you want to go to Heaven
You have to be
Rooted and Grounded
In the Name of the Lord!


Embrace Your Roots –
Examine where they are grounded.
How do they stabilize you?
What comes to mind when you hear the word
ROOTS?

Thanks for visiting JanBeek

See ya tomorrow (God willing)


Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, Faith, Family, God, Life and Death, Living in Christ's Family, Love, music, Poetry

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