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Calling All Sinners!!

Calling All Sinners!!
Yup, my friends – that’s me.
Yesterday I really screwed up;
Of course, not intentionally.

We sinners never mean to
Cross over the kindness line
Into lack of compassion.
We don’t commit sin by design!

Photo by Mati Mango on Pexels.com

So when we sinners mess up,
As God knows we always do,
How do we learn to forgive ourselves?
Does this happen, my friend, to you?

Yesterday’s “Today in the Word”
by the Moody Bible Institute,
dealt with this subject
right when I needed it most.
The scripture for the day was:

“For I have not come
to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Matthew 9:13

let go let god note
Photo by Tara Winstead on Pexels.com

What do I need to let go of?
What did I do that was so bad?
I made Bob feel like a burden
Instead of making him feel glad.

I was mad that he left me
At the church without a word.
He was that mad that I left him.
Now, isn’t that absurd?

It’s all about communication.
Yes, I know, he should have said
“Hey Honey, let’s go home now,”
But he just left instead.

gazelles
Photo by Bas van Brandwijk on Pexels.com

Yup, we butted heads over
The slightest misunderstanding.
I found another way home.
Oops… that was a crash landing!

He’d only gone to the post office
And then he came back to get me.
I didn’t know where he had gone
And his absence really upset me.

Earlier he had wanted some help
On a simple music interpretation task.
I was in the middle of something else
And irritably made him sorry he’d asked.

Today we’re back to talking
In civilian tones to each other.
Yesterday’s behind us; we’ll forget
How we rankled one another.

But making peace ain’t easy
When you’ve crossed the kindness line.
We hate to admit we’re wrong.
But repentance helps us align.

Align our will to our loving call
To be responsive to each need
Expressed by those around us.
That’s our call, our mission. Agreed?

“Let love be genuine,
Abhor what is evil;
Hold fast to what is good.”

Romans 12:9

Photo by La Miko on Pexels.com

In my devotional yesterday, “All God’s Creatures” by Guideposts,
the writer, Jerusha Agen, reminded me of the importance
that unconditional love be exhibited. She wrote about
“Simon’s Love” telling about a cat who acted like a dog.

Jerusha’s favorite pet had died.
It was the first time in her life
She was without a dog to cuddle.
But her cat took away the strife.

Her cat started acting like a dog,
Meeting her at the door when she got home,
And sitting in her lap to comfort her.
Letting her brush him with a comb!

Her cat, Simon, knew to mourn with her.
Simon seemed to know what she needed.
In grief, Jerushah had been neglecting him,
But Simon forgave that sin; with joy conceded.

Photo by Tomas Ryant on Pexels.com

“Rejoice and mourn with others,
According to what they need,”
Jerusha wrote to her readers.
Ask Bob for forgiveness – with speed!

I’ll ask God to help me be more
Loving and responsive to Bob.
Help me with my impatience, Lord.
Help me show genuine love to my heart-throb!

1959

Here’s my heart-throb when I met him
He was in the army at the time.
Happy Veteran’s Day on Saturday.
Ours is a long-term love sublime.

That doesn’t mean we don’t argue
Or make each other mad at times.
But, God tells us sinners to forgive…
Just as He does – ALWAYS, not just sometimes!

You can probably relate to my “Faux Pas” –
You’ve probably blundered some, too.
But, God is calling us sinners:
Let love fill the dog-shaped void in you!

Let forgiveness be your guiding star,
Since we all forget to be compassionate – ’tis true.
I’ll look for ways to show love like Simon.
And God’s calling you, my dear sinner, too!!

God bless You!

Love,
JanBeek

Can you just kiss and make up, too??!!

sign texture abstract vintage
Photo by Magda Ehlers on Pexels.com

News About Honeybees

Yes, I often write about honeybees.
Why?
Well, if you have been a JanBeek follower for any time at all,
you know that my hubby, Bob, is a retired beekeeper.
Not just a hobbyist, but a full-time bee guy
with as many as 2,000 hives
back in the late 1980’s & ’90s and early 2000’s.

Even after retiring here to Montana, he worked for several years with local beekeeping hobbyist, John White. Bees are a part of Bob’s DNA! His dad was a beekeeper and his brother was, too. Now he has three nephews and a grand-nephew keeping bees big time.

So, it was no surprise to me when I received an e-mail today from someone wanting me to post on the topic of honeybees again. She sent me a letter and asked me to put it on my blog. I’m happy to do so. Here it is:

“Hi Jan,

I hope your day is going well!

I came across your website and noticed you shared a lot of information on beekeeping. I thought our guide could be helpful for your readers. 

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is one of the most commonly used herbicides in the world by commercial gardeners. However, many pesticides – including insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides – harm pollinators and other beneficial insects. 

To help educate those in the farming and gardening industries about this toxic chemical, we’ve created a comprehensive guide with organic, and homemade; and a second guide with agricultural alternatives. please take a look:

drugwatch.com/roundup/glyphosate/
drugwatch.com/roundup/cancer/

I thought these guides would be beneficial to share with your community. Would you consider adding that as resources to your website https://janbeek.blog/tag/honeybees/ to inform people about this critical matter better?

I appreciate your time and look forward to your response. Have a great day!”

Nicole Nunez (She / Her) | Outreach Coordinator

1 S. Orange Ave. Ste. 201  |  Orlando, FL 32801  

So, let’s all do our part to protect
our honeybees,
our trees,
and our fresh water,
okay?
What do you say?

Hugs to you on this Fabulous Friday.
I hope you’re staying warm.
It’s 15 degrees outside my Ennis home
– and snowing.

Oh my what a difference a week can make.
Take a look:

Oh my, those images are too large to show the total difference.
I need to learn how to post them smaller,
but I was trying that side-by-side feature.
It’s kinda neat… you can see more of each image
by using the middle arrows to slide it left or right.
Anyway, you get the idea…

Bee Warm!
And bee good to those bees!!

Sending lotsa love your way,
JanBeek

Quote

Let There Be Peace

The word for today is PEACE.
In a world of chaos, dear Lord,
Let there be peace on earth.
Let me be an instrument of that peace.

We may not be able to control
What everyone else on earth does,
But we can control what we do.
Are you determined to be a peacemaker?

I want to be a peacemaker.
In spite of the chaos in this world,
I want to make peace where I am.
That may be all I can control.

And I can pray to our Father in Heaven,
“Let there be peace on earth!
Place the message of peace
In the hearts of today’s rulers.”

“Lord. I know you have overcome the world.
I know you also have given man free will.
Lord, place common sense and compassion
In the wills of those who are waging war!

Let there be peace on earth!!
And help me find peace in my little corner of it!”

As St. Francis of Assisi prayed,
“Make me a Channel of Your Peace.”
I love Susan Boyle’s voice singing that prayer.
Take a minute to listen to it… and internalize it!

To find peace in my place in the world,
I may have to turn off some of the news.
I MAY HAVE TO SHARPEN MY SENSE OF HUMOR,
And pass some chuckles on to my friends!

Just once,
I want a username and password prompt
to say
CLOSE ENOUGH.

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Pexels.com

I may have to find reasons to laugh
In spite of the sadness and devastation.
I may have to look for reasons to laugh,
Reasons to pass along a sense of optimism.

I want to be a realistic optimist!

The pessimist complains about the wind
The optimist expects the wind to change
The realist adjust his sails

Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels.com

Love to you,
Jan Beek

What will you do today to add peace
to your little corner of the world?
I am looking for the peace
of editing this post
and getting rid of the
oversized font!
What’s happening??

woman in gray tank top
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Then you will experience God’s peace,
which exceeds anything we can understand.

Gratitude for Workers

Today is Labor Day in the USA.
It’s a day to thank our workers.
Thank all who make life better
By their diligence … never shirkers!

Regardless of the job they have,
They perform with willing heart.
I’m filled with gratitude for them.
They carefully do their part.

During COVID we took special care
To thank our healthcare workers all.
We should continue to thank them
And all the others whether large or small.

No job is less important than another.
All are crucial for the bottom line.
Teamwork, passion, determination
Are ingredients that make the results shine.

Photo by Maria Orlova on Pexels.com

Proverbs 10:4

“Poor is he who works with a negligent hand,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.”

The after effects of COVID-19
Have left some workers unwilling
To return to the office or work space;
They find teleworking more fulfilling.

woman in gray shirt sitting on bed
Photo by Andrew Neel on Pexels.com

But the worker who inspires me most
Is the on the job person who strives
To make the world a better place
By interacting with others’ lives.

Yes, it can be done at home sometimes,
But what about when you want to dine out?
The chef and wait staff better be there,
Or you’ll be high and dry… without!

So, today I want to shout out a thanks
To all the workers who make life sweeter.
Here is one… our Dolly Wolly in Switzerland.
You should go to her place and meet her!!

This is what it looked like then they bought it.
Now the restaurant has taken on a new look.
And De’s husband, Andre’ is the chef who
Puts out superb dishes – he’s quite the cook!

Here are De and Andre’ with some family
Sitting down to enjoy a meal…
You can tell by the empty plates and smiles
How good it was; how it made them feel!

So, Happy Labor Day, all you workers
Who strive to serve the public with care-
Whether out in front and quite visible
Or hidden in back rooms, with work to share!

We appreciate the way you aim to please
With passion and with determination.
What you do is important and beneficial
Regardless of your chosen occupation.

Thank you!

Hugs from
JanBeek
(volunteering at the Food Bank)

Volunteer work counts, too!
Stay-at-home Mom work counts double!!

No Authority

The prompt today was:

“On What Subject are You an Authority ?”

We just said good-bye to our guests from Switzerland who stayed with us for a week. We did a lot of sharing with one another while they were here. But, even though each of us has had a lifetime of experiences in various fields (technology, social work, teaching, coaching, and beekeeping), none of us tried to come across as an authority on anything! What a turn-off that attitude would be!!

If you have the attitude that you have more knowledge than anybody else around you on a certain subject, and you speak with unabashed authority, I hope you’re being asked to do so, and you’re paid a lot for your opinion! I hope that knowledge gives you an opportunity to have authority with your authority! But…

… in my experience, the one who flaunts his authority (rather than living as an open-minded, humble, life-long learner) seldom finds life very satisfying. Tim McGraw spells it out pretty clearly in his song, “Always Stay Humble and Kind.” You can listen to it below.

Proverbs 22:4 
ESV

“The reward for humility
and
fear of the Lord 
is riches and honor and life.”

I am rich in friends
I am rich in love of life
Christ is my life’s authority.
Where do your riches lie?

It was an interesting prompt today.
How would you have answered it?

Look up for your purpose!

Keep looking up!
Keep learning.
Stay humble and kind!

Thanks for your visit today to
JanBeek

For the Beauty

Oh, the beauty of the earth
Is astounding day by day
Don’t take it for granted
Ot it may fade away!

The Tetons – and the oh so beautiful river

Montana wildflower hike

The Hardwick’s Montana sunset

(Psalm 98:7-9) 
“Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who dwell in it!
Let the rivers clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together before the Lord,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.”

Have a gorgeous day
wherever you are
Enjoy this beautiful earth
The sea, the mountains,
the sun and stars…
And praise our God
Who made them all.

Amen

Love, JanBeek

Duh!

What public figure do you disagree with the most?

From my Christian perspective, this prompt is a no brainer for anyone in the USA with a moral bone in his/her body. But I have good Christian friends who disagree with me, so why open the gap and create more divisiveness?

Let Justice reign!

Can we disagree and still love one another?

Let peace and unity be our goal.

Amen? Hugs to you from … JanBeek ❤️🙏🏽🥰

Travel to Uganda

I probably never will travel to Uganda, but my friend, Lisa Glines, just returned from a trip there. I was privileged to travel with her – vicariously, of course.

Lisa’s daughter-in-law, Aneesa, was Lisa’s travel partner. Aneesa celebrated her birthday with their wonderful Ugandan travel guides and travel partners. This photo is their friend, Sam, celebrating with them. Happy Birthday, Aneesa!

Thank you, Lisa, and Aneesa, for sharing your adventure!
One of their guides was a bird expert.

This is the Crested Crane, Royal Uganda’s national bird

Other guides were animal experts
who knew just how to find
where these exotic animals
lived,
swam,
and dined.

Doesn’t Aneesa look like a fun-filled travel partner?

Waiting for a hand-out?
Sunrises and sunsets were spectacular!
Must have been quite a thrill to get so close to these beautiful animals.
Ready to travel home. Thank you so much for sharing!!

Luke 3:11  

And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”

I may not have had a tunic to share… nor food to share with you today, but I had travel photos that were graciously shared with me… so time to pass them on with gratitude for Lisa’s big heart! I hope you enjoyed the virtual Uganda trip, too.

Sharing colors my world. I hope it colored yours today, too.
Have a Happy Presidents’ Day here in the USA,
and a Marvelous Monday, my friends.

Lotsa Love,
JanBeek

Kindness

The Septolet is a poem consisting of seven lines containing fourteen words with a break anywhere in between the two parts. Both parts deal with the same thought and create a picture.

.
.
.
Kindness
Lovingly given
Gratefully received
Reap what you sow

We rise
Lifting others
Carry
.
.
.

What picture did those words create for you?




Here
is
the
picture
that
came
to
my
mind.



:o)

And this is the scripture that came to mind:

Luke 6:25
“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”

Jesus is my inspiration.
God’s Word is my go-to for direction.
It inspires me to be kind,
not just to my family, friends, and loved ones,
but also to those who annoy me…
maybe most to them!

Thank you, David, from skepticskaddish.com,
for introducing me to this new (to me) poetry form.
It was fun to give The Septolet  a try.

Hey, WP Friends,
why don’t you try it, too?
I’d love to see your word picture.


Tim McGraw sings the message in a most beautiful song.
This is new to me, too.
Have you heard it before?
The images that accompany it
are so inspiring.
You’ll be glad if you
take time to see and listen!

Hugs to you…
Have a Wonderful Weekend.

Always be Humble and Kind!

Love,
JanBeek

Just Be Kind

The story in today’s Daily Guideposts reminded me,
It doesn’t cost anything to be kind.

Just a simple “Thank you,” or “Please,”
Just a moment to reach out and lend a hand,
Can change someone’s entire day.
And it may impact those observing the kindness, too.

So, just be kind!

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.”

Matthew 7:12 ESV

In her story in Guideposts today, Erika Bentsen recounted how (back when she was only 17) she was waiting on a bus in Scotland for the departure time. The bus driver was busy telling stories to the attentive passengers. Suddenly the bus driver dashed from his seat to help a woman across the road who had dropped a package. Then he returned to his seat and continued his story telling.

When her aunt interrupted him and said, “That was awfully nice of you,” he shrugged it off saying, “It costs nothin’ to be kind.”

Years later, that conversation stuck with Erika. Her prayer at the bottom of the page reads,

“Dear Lord,
shower me with opportunities
to share kindness
until it becomes
as natural as breathing.”

Like Erika, I want kindness to be as natural as breathing. I know it is an attribute worth cultivating.
I pray every morning on my way down the stairs from my sanctuary. I thank God for the

  • love
  • joy, and
  • peace that are mine, and I ask God to help me with
  • patience
  • kindness
  • goodness
  • faithfulness (which brings blessings)
  • gentleness, and
  • self-control. I ask God to
  • help me live humbly with an attitude of gratitude, and a response of
  • generosity and
  • forgiveness,
  • obedience and
  • integrity.

Ask God to help you develop
a habit of kindness
so it is a natural as breathing to you.
Wouldn’t the world be a better place if everyone did that?

Kindness needs to be cultivated!

Who was the last person who was particularly kind to you?
What did he or she do?
I bet you remembered to say thank you!

Now, pass it on!!

I bet you do that everyday!!

Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
See you again tomorrow.
Be well!!

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