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!!
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?
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.
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?
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.”
It is our uniqueness that makes us An interesting, diverse, beautiful world. We fly our flags in different colors, But in reality we’re all one world unfurled.
Let’s embrace our uniqueness And celebrate how we see things differently While remembering we are more alike Than not… and we’re all designed magnificently!
There’s no one on earth like me; No one in the whole world like you, So embrace your uniqueness, my friend… Share with others your point of view.
No one sees life quite like you do. No one can paint or write as you do. Let your expression of life splash out of you And help others see the world anew.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
Just as no pot created on the potter’s wheel Ends up looking just like another pot, And yet each is beautiful in its own way, So each of us beautiful – no one is not!
Something beautiful, something good – All my confusion He understood. All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife, But He made something beautiful of my life.
Give your brokenness and strife to God. Let Him make something beautiful in you. Then share it – as only you can do – So others can appreciate their uniqueness, too.
Use your unique qualities to make the world a better place. Don’t judge others or turn them away because they’re different. Embrace them. Love them. Appreciate the way they add color to your world. Know God designed each of us intentionally … be reverent!
I love you, my friend. Thank you for adding your uniqueness to my world. See ya tomorrow.
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.
Beautiful to be Playing harmoniously – Embracing friendships.
As my outer world Reflects my inner spirit, Harmony abounds.
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.
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.
Updated 10:20 AM ET, Sun May 9, 2021 Lynne Moody in a promotional photo for the ABC TV series “That’s My Mama.”
(CNN)Lisa Wright always knew she was adopted, but had no idea her biological mother was a star on one of her favorite television shows.Now Wright is sharing the story of having been reunited with actress Lynne Moody after 50 years in what reads like the perfect Hollywood ending, according to NBC’s “Today.” “I grew up watching my mother on TV and didn’t even know it,” Wright told the morning show. “‘That’s My Mama’ — that was our must-see TV. We all sat down and watched ‘That’s My Mama’ every week, and who knew? No idea. … And that’s my mama!”
Wright said she knew very little about Moody, who was 18 when she gave birth, and had a closed adoption.
“My (adoptive) mom told me, ‘Your mommy loved you, but she was really young, and she knew she couldn’t take care of you. I wanted the baby so bad, and that’s why your mom let me take care of you,'” Wright said. “You weren’t abandoned. This was just the best thing for you.”More of CNN’s Mother’s Day coverage
But encouraged by her son a few years ago to do genetic testing, Wright first tracked down an uncle who told her the family had been searching for her all these years and who led her to Moody, who, like her daughter, was living in Los Angeles.
Moody called her birth daughter.”A voice on the other end says, ‘Is this my daughter?’ And then I just went, ‘Oh, my God, is this my mother?'” Wright said. “And then she goes, ‘Yes, sweetie, this is your mom.’ It was just the most indescribable feeling.”It was a deep connection for Moody, who never had any other children and never thought she would find her beloved child.”When I found out that she was my daughter, at that moment, it was like I was giving birth,” Moody said. “Because I lost my legs, I was on the floor in a fetal position, screaming and crying. I didn’t know how deep that hole was.”
And the actress best known for roles in the TV series “Roots” and “Knots Landing” had a Mother’s Day message for all.”Life is full of surprises sometimes, so hang in there no matter what your circumstances are,” she said. “Be open to miracles, be open to surprises, and keep the faith.”
I have four adopted grandchildren. This story touched my heart for obvious reasons. On this Mother’s Day, there are many children out there who have been raised by loving adoptive parents. There are many biological parents out there who gave up their child for altruistic reasons. Some of them have located their children and have a happily-ever-after reconnection story. Others have reconnected, but the results were not so glorious. Still others have not tried to find their biological parents (or children) and live with that sense of unknowing, not sure that filling in the blanks would be helpful for anyone.
Whatever the situation, it is always heartwarming to me when I read about these cases of rejoining. It is sweet to know there are cases where the child can find his/her roots – and the parent can fill that empty spot with fresh discovery. I know when it happens and it is positive, God’s hand is involved… and it makes my heart sing.
I am grateful for the mom who gave her child up for adoption because she knew she could not provide a suitable home. I am equally grateful for the family who took the child in – and loved him or her completely – fully embracing him or her as their own.
On this Mother’s Day, may all those adopted children feel a sense of gratitude for the mom who gave them birth – and for the mom who raised them. May they know, whatever the circumstance, they are loved. They are wanted. They are not an accident. God don’t make mistakes!!
Embrace Anticipation! You never know what God has in store for you around the next bend.
Happy Mother’s Day to our moms! Whether they are alive or dead, They live daily in our thoughts – Either lovingly or with dread.
Some folks weren’t as lucky As I feel I was born to be. I had a strong-willed mother Who passed her strength on down to me.
Mom & Dad
Mom moved from her home in Washington To marry my handsome Italian dad. She spent her life in central California. Musta made her mother rather sad.
Mom raised me and my sis, Sally, To learn to stand on our own two feet. From day one we were taught to know School wasn’t done ’til college was complete.
She was born fifth of six children – And her dad died when she was a teen. College wasn’t an option for her, but for sure Her girls would experience that scene!
Sally, Dad, Mom & me
Sally went to Jr. College and Brigham Young. I graduated from University of Pacific (UOP). Mom was pleased as punch to know – If I needed to, I could take care of me!
She and Dad were great supporters Of Bob & me their whole lives through. I couldn’t have asked for better folks. I hope you can say the same about you.
Dad Mom, Bob & me
That’s me with Mom, Sally & our daughter, De – behind us is Dave Butters, Sally’s husband who died way too young.
Mom’s selfie
Mom took selfies with a smile Long before digital cameras and internet. If she was alive today, she’d post ’em daily And she’d have a huge following – you bet!
Today’s the day for us to remember Our moms – and conjure up some joy As we recall their better selves – and set aside all thoughts that annoy!
I must remember no one’s perfect, And I just hope when I’m dead and gone, Our children will recall my better self, And set aside times I was a moron!
I hope my kids will say, “My mom was the Bee’s Knees” and laugh at any bitterness while remembering only the honey!
Happy Mother’s Day! Embrace your Mothers today (for real – or in your memories). They did (or are doing) the best they could!!
When I was a child at Bonita Elementary School in Crows Landing, California (yes, there is a town by that name), May Day was a very special occasion.
In the classroom on the morning of May 1st we made baskets of paper or ribbon. Then we went out into the fields around the school and picked wildflowers. We hung our baskets on doorknobs around town, rang the doorbell, and hid in the bushes as we watched the surprised resident answer the door and find the colorful, hanging gift. In it was an invitation to come to the school that afternoon for our May Pole Dance.
Sometimes we used our school colors for the ribbons
Other times we used an assortment of colors
It was not uncommon for us to dress in special costumes, but sometime, like the first picture of the Maypole, we would dress in white. Notice the flower wreaths in our hair. Ah yes, we went all out!
We’d weave in and out of each other to create the braided base on the Maypole. You can tell this last picture is recent. Back in the 40s and 50s no girls would be caught dead coming to school in Levis!! We would have probably been sent home!
Music would accompany our dance around the Maypole … The YouTube below shows that in some places, May Day still is celebrated in today’s world.
It’s a more complicated process than you might imagine!
I wonder if they still do the baskets with flowers in school rooms and neighborhoods anywhere?
I love May flowers!
If you don’t have a wildflower field nearby,
maybe you can go to FTD and order your May Day flowers today!
There are lots of beautiful arrangements from which to choose!
Have a Happy May Day, my friends. Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
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?
Lynne Moody in a promotional photo for the ABC TV series “That’s My Mama.”
