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Archive for the ‘peace’ Category

Show Up and Never Give Up!


Let all that you do be done in love.  

1 Corinthians 16:14

Above all,
keep loving one another earnestly,
since love covers a multitude of sins.

 1 Peter 4:8

May the God of hope
fill you with all joy
and peace in believing,
so that by the power of the Holy Spirit 
you may abound in hope.

Romans 15:13

For God gave us a spirit not of fear

but of power and love and self-control.  

2 Timothy 1:7

John 14:26 
ESV

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
He will teach you all things
and
bring to your remembrance
all that I have said to you.

Romans 8:37 
ESV

No,
in all these things
we are
more than conquerors
through Him who loved us.

Get up – dress up – show up!

And never give up!

Galatians 6:9 
ESV 

And let us not grow weary
of doing good,
for in due season we will reap,
if we do not give up.

I’m never giving up
I want to be proud
Of who I’m becoming
With God’s help
I’m reaching for the sky
I’m gonna get up
Dress up
Show up
and
Never give up

You, too?

I pray you have
wonderful neighbors/friends
who come, help, encourage
and inspire you
in your Daily Walk,
like we do!

Yes, count your blessings!

I made green eggs and ham
yesterday for St. Patrick’s Day
and then we shared
corned beef and cabbage
with those dear neighbors
who inspire us
to get up, dress up,
show up, and
never give up.

What have you done recently
to thank those who inspire you
to show up everyday
and never give up?


I send my love and encouragement to you.
Thanks for showing up at JanBeek
and encouraging me to keep on
keepin’ on!

I love you!

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Here is some very soothing music
to calm your spirit
as you get up,
show up,
and
never give up!

Enjoy!!

Have a blessed weekend!
Hugs,
JanBeek

Where Ya Lookin’?


Where ya lookin’, my friend?
Do ya got yer head in the sand?
Are you avoidin’ some things
By keeping blinders on hand?

Some of us think if we shut off
The news about strife in our land,
If we just stream in what’s good,
We can avoid the newsstand.

Let’s just pray and read our Bibles;
Let’s join hands with like-minded folk.
Let’s ban anyone we disagree with.
Lock out the sorrow they evoke.

Let’s focus on the good ole days
And remember pure life gone by.
No social media. No Fox News or CNN.
No log in my own eye.

I see the sliver in your eye.
I see the faults of all those other folk,
So I choose to build a cocoon
And just carry my own yoke.

Do you relate to such thinkin’?
Are you so selfish you’re stinkin’?
When ya gonna come outta yer cave
And discover the poison you’re drinkin’?

Ya can’t find Utopia here on earth
By shuttin’ out all that’s a disgrace.
Ya gotta look and see and recognize
The mud splattered on your own face.

The sin of this world splashes up
To make guilty sinners of us all.
We can’t avoid it with blinders.
We can’t be thinkin’ so small!

We gotta look at all those in trouble
With compassion and a heart to see
How each of us is in this together.
Their misery and pain touches me.

I gotta take off the shutters and open
The doors to my heart for their pain
To permeate my soul and my conscience.
I gotta step out in the rain.

I gotta look ahead to the future
And see what I can do to make peace
With those I find disagreeable.
This head in the sand’s gotta cease!

My word for 2023 is “Ready.”
Am I ready to take my own advice?
Break outta the cocoon and fly upward
To help others? At what cost? What price?

The price of compassion is nothing
Compared to what it costs to ignore
The people in need all around us.
Where ya lookin’ my friend? The floor?

Let’s turn to the windshield and see
What’s right in front on the road.
Let’s pick up our yoke and share it
To help others lessen their load.

Matthew 11:28-30
NIV

28 “Come to me, 
all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.
 29 Take my yoke upon you
and learn from me, 
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls. 
30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

See that smile up there on that guy?
It ain’t that easy; I won’t lie.
But with time and love and care,
You’ll find peace. Reach out and share!

Sending love your way…
from the Ennis Food Bank!


Sharing is Caring!
JanBeek

The Mirror’s Reflection


Reflection

I looked in the mirror,
My face reflected there
Showed lines of fear and worry,
The strain of daily care.
I looked into a quiet pool,
Green branches framed my face.
Snow-white cloud passed overhead,
Some care seemed to erase.

The Winds of Fate – by Salesian Missions
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

I found myself in a shady nook
My cares confessed to Him.
I felt Him near and knew that He
was looking deep within.
I looked into His loving eyes;
Reflecting back to me
Was one I’d never truly known …
The “Self” He’d helped me be.
I looked into the mirror.
Sweet peace reflected there.
His perfect love had touched my life.
He had erased all care.

Anna Lee Edwards McAlpin

Photo by Max Vakhtbovych on Pexels.com

Look into His face, my friends.
Let Him into your heart.
Let Him erase all cares.
Feel His loving arms around you.
Live in His peace.

Love
Lives in
His Enormous Heart
Ready to share now
Peace

Sending to you
the Love, Joy and Peace
that are mine through Christ.

Have a blessed day!

Hugs,
JanBeek

Choose to Trust


Isaiah 43:4-5a.

“Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give men to exchange for your life.
Do not be afraid for I am with you…”

I knew where we were going… HOME! And I knew God was with us, guarding and guiding us. I learned as we were at the “41 miles to go” mark that a woman about my age had died in a tragic accident the day before on this very stretch of road. Her demise was a jack-knifed semi. She hit black ice and slid into it when she was trying to turn and avoid it. It was a clear day – at 4: o’clock in the afternoon. We were traveling home on that two-lane road in the dark. A host of family and friends were praying for our safe travel. We TRUSTED God’s guidance as we crept along, blinded by the bright headlights of on-coming semis.

At about the “20 miles to go” mark, if I had my window down, I could have reached out and touched the big doe that was preparing to cross the road in front of us. We didn’t see the deer until we were almost on top of it… or it on top of us! You can imagine how we prayed prayers of gratitude all the rest of the way home!!

This morning, in my wonderful upstairs space that I call my “sanctuairee,” I was reading a commentary by Rev. Dr. David Jeremiah. It was for me!!

“Praising God for Miracles”

“Among the stories connected to the memory of Francis of Assisi is this one: One day Francis gathered his friends at a remote monastery in central Italy. When he asked them about their journeys, each brother had an exciting tale to report. One had been riding his mule across a narrow bridge that spanned a deep gorge. When the mule bolted, the man was nearly thrown into the ravine. He praised God he hadn’t been killed.

Another brother had nearly drowned fording a river, but he said, ‘God in His grace provided a tree that had fallen across the water. I was able to grasp a branch and pull myself to safety.’ Other brothers expressed similar stories of God’s protection.

Then someone asked Francis about his trip. ‘I experienced the greatest miracle of all,’ said the famous friar. ‘I had a smooth, pleasant, and uneventful journey.’

We should always remember to praise God for His miracles in whatever form they come. He blesses, heals, rescues, delivers, helps, and uplifts more times every day than we can count. We should always be saying, ‘Thank You, Lord!’

Psalm 121:2
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth”

Thank you, David Jeremiah, for your timely message this day. It’s a perfect one!

So, on this journey called life,
I choose to trust God.
I may not know
where He is taking me tomorrow,
but I know if I trust in Him,
and ask for His guidance,
and look for His direction,
He will not fail me.

Choose to TRUST

Looking again at the scripture Dr. Jeremiah chose for today’s devotional,
I am reminded of Martin Luther King Day yesterday…
and the way he gave his life for his principles
of Freedom, Equality for all,
and Non-violence.

Yes, God said, “I will give men to exchange for your life.”

I pray we all will remember the men and women
who gave their lives so that we might enjoy the peace we have today.
It is still going on in those war-torn places around the world.
God bless our faithful warriors who fight to keep us free
and those servants of God world-wide
who choose to TRUST in God’s protection
as they fight to maintain their county’s freedom.

Amen

Thank You, God, for the way
You bless,
heal, rescue,
deliver, help,
and uplift us
more times every day
than we can count.

Help us follow Your example of love
and spread Your Good News
with Trust and Assurance
every day.
Amen

Friends: Jan & Hailey
We help one another

God bless you, my friends.
Love,
JanBeek

High and Dry


Here we are today
High and dry in Placerville
Grateful for the warmth

Looking at the storm
From inside a comfy house
Thanking God for life

Feeling very blessed
A good book and some coffee
Listening to rain

Shhh! Hear the raindrops fall.., Well, you can imagine it, can’t you?

Grateful for the warmth
And the hospitality
Of our sweet family

Praying that you, also
Are safe and feeling God’s peace
Ready for what comes

God bless you today
May you know you’re in His care
Never be afraid

Friends, stay high and dry
Rise above all of the storms
Secure and at peace

My beloved son, Ty, and me
Safe and secure from all alarm
God protect you from all harm

Have a blessed day.
I send you my love today.

Hugs,
JanBeek

Merry Christmas!!


It’s not Santa and elves, teddy bears and presents. That’s the fluff!!

It’s the Christ Child, Emmanuel, God With Us! It’s new birth and the Virgin Birth. It’s the promise of Eternal Life!

Photo by Jonathan Meyer on Pexels.com

It’s peace on earth and good will toward all God’s creations.

So, when I say “Merry Christmas” it us not a Merry Xmas! Don’t “X” Christ out of CHRISTmas!!

Love and hugs to you, my friends.

Have a faith-filled weekend!

Peace of Mind


How do you find peace of mind?

Photo by Jonathan Meyer on Pexels.com

In my devotional studies today,
the Moody Bible Institute’s “Today in the Word”
asked that question. What is peace and where do you find it?

If you go to Pexels.com
and put in the word “peace”
you will find many images
that suggest answers to those questions:

Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger on Pexels.com

What does this one suggest to you?

Photo by Oleksandr Pidvalnyi on Pexels.com

Of course, this suggests prayer…

Photo by Nandhu Kumar on Pexels.com

… and this has a Zen origin, right?

Photo by M Venter on Pexels.com

Many folks find peace by going out into nature and finding seclusion.

Photo by Anastasiya Lobanovskaya on Pexels.com

Others look for peace in communication
with others who are seeking the same goals.

Photo by Fernando Arcos on Pexels.com

Music provides a source of peace for me and many others.


My greatest sense of peace comes from my faith.
As a Christian, PEACE is not a place.
It is not an unattainable emotion.
Peace is a person!

My peace comes from God’s grace
in the person of Jesus.


John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you;
my peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled
and do not be afraid.”

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

I find evidence of that joy-giving peace all around me…
and I am assured of it as I read my Bible
and study the devotionals that reinforce my faith.

Today in the Word
has a study of The Gospel of Luke
titled, “Peace on Earth” this month.

In his introductory pages,
Dr. John Koessler wrote,
“This promise of peace belongs to
those upon whom His favor rests.”

Does His favor rest on you?

Photo by mododeolhar on Pexels.com

Thousands of years before His birth, Isaiah predicted Him:

Isaiah 9:6

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be upon his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.”

Then, when Isaiah’s prediction came true,
Jesus came to earth… the Prince of Peace,
Here to show us how to find His peace,
Here to show us how to live.

Ephesians2:14 put it this way:

“Jesus is our peace”
Because Jesus “came and preached peace to you
who were far away and those who were near.”

Photo by Rodolfo Clix on Pexels.com

Jesus came, lived to show us and teach us, and died to save us.
Believing that is the road to His grace.
Believing that is the way to Eternal Life.
Believing that is the path to peace.

Dr. John Koessler wrote:

“Those who know the peace of Christ
become agents of peace themselves.
When Jesus first sent His disciples
to proclaim the kingdom,
He told them,
‘As you enter the home, give it your greeting.’


Matthew 10:12
(the traditional Jewish greeting, Shalom)

This was more than a social formality,
Christians are offering peace through
faith in Christ to others.
The shalom of Christ is more than a greeting.
It is a promise.
There is more to peace than a personal experience.
For the Christian, peace is a person.
Jesus is our peace.”

Photo by Josh Hild on Pexels.com

Reach out!
Touch Him!
He is the Holy Spirit in you.
He is the King of Peace,
here to give you His peace.
Take it!

In Him is my peace of mind.
Where is yours?

I pray you find it in Him.
Merry Christmas!
He came to save you and me.

Love and peace to you,
JanBeek

Thank you, God, Lord, Christ Jesus, Holy Spirit
for the love, joy, and peace that are mine!

Waiting


Photo by Gary Barnes on Pexels.com

There is more than one way to interpret the word “wait.”
The photo above shows you a waitress who is “waiting” on a table.

Some waiting is defined by
an expectation of something
or someone to come…
like a good friend.

Other waiting is short-term, self-imposed, self-defined…
…. like waiting for your food to digest before
that next meal or dessert after a huge Thanksgiving dinner!

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

What are you waiting for?

Today is the first day of Advent.
As a Christian, that means we have 40 days of waiting.

The season of Advent lasts through Christmas Eve.
When Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday,
it is the last or fourth Sunday of Advent.
In Eastern Orthodox churches,
which use the Julian calendar,
Advent begins earlier, on November 15,
and lasts 40 days, rather than 4 weeks.

40 days of waiting for the coming of the Christ Child
… waiting for Christmas.

Photo by Bich Tran on Pexels.com

The word “Advent” stems from the Latin word adventus,
which literally means “coming” or “arrival.”
Our sermon at my church this morning
dealt with this topic of waiting…
waiting for that special arrival.

Pastor Mary Grace Reynolds
spoke about a children’s book
(I think it was a Dr. Seuss)
that depicted a “waiting place”
as a “useless place”
but she encouraged us
to view waiting differently.

She asked us what we do when we are waiting.
Some people find something to read.
Others play on their phones
or engage in conversation with a friend.
Some write letters or cards
or they reach out to help a neighbor.
Spend the waiting time productively.

I wrote this conclusion as I listened:

There is a lot we can do while we wait.
Think about the good things we can do.
Gracious God, help us make waiting useful.
Let’s fill it with good things for me and You.

We can live during this time of waiting
With love and hope in our heart.
We have control over our actions.
We can spread peace – today’s the day to start.

Ready? Begin!

Psalms 27:13-14
I believe that I shall look upon
the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living!
Wait for the LORD;
be strong,
and let your heart take courage;
wait for the LORD!

Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
Have a wonderful season of Advent.

Love and hugs to you!

Make your waiting a time of love and compassion!
Reach out today!

Reblog #12 – Grace Alone


This post was titled God’s Grace – first posted in November of 2018… Reblogged today for your pleasure and reassurance.

green trees

Photo by James Wheeler on Pexels.com


“I am under the canopy of God’s Grace,”
the story in my Guideposts devotional assured me.


portrait of teenage girl playing outdoors


I know it without a doubt. I am guided by the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures.

“Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.
Each day has enough troubles of its own.”
Matthew 6:34


pexels-photo-6972241-e1543599183578.jpeg


Accept each day as a gift.
The present is a present.
Open it – and live in the NOW!

I am sure you know:

God’s grace is sufficient
when you believe
and
live intentionally
in FAITH.

belief bible book business

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God
through whom we have gained access by faith
into this grace in which we now stand.”
Romans 5:1-2

Grace alone which God supplies;
Strength unknown He will provide…
Every soul we long to reach
Every heart we hope to teach
Everywhere we share…
It’s only by His Grace.

Do take time to hear Scott Wesley Brown sing this for us:

God’s grace – and peace to you – dear friends,

PEACE now and forever!

Bee well.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
See ya tomorrow.

Reblog #10 – Prayer


Prayer

openhands-thanking

Prayer is the topic of a book study we are doing with our pastor these weeks of November 2022. But, back in 2015, it was also a topic of discussion and the title of our guest minister’s sermon. Take a step back – and join me:

Prayer was the title of our sermon on Sunday, August 16, 2015 by Rev. Carol Shellenberger of Bozeman, MT. Here are the notes I took while I listened to her very meaningful and inspiring message:

Turning to the Lord in prayer
Is a habit I cultivate.
Turning to the Lord with concern
Is wise, before it’s too late.

But turning to the Lord in praise
Is a minute-by-minute habit.
It’s not just a request for courage
When we’re afraid. It’s a joy. Grab it!

Prayer is a source of inspiration.
Our Father has so much to give.
Prayer is a way to receive it…
The gift of wisdom; abundance to live.

Some folks expect too much or too little,
Looking for extraordinary results
Or doubting that God even hears.
But prayer is a part of us – like our pulse.

Turning to the Lord in prayer
Tells God we are here – and so is He.
We know He is wherever we are.
I know my Lord cares and answers me.

Prayer is not just a matter of speaking;
It’s conversation, but it’s silence, too.
If you never stop talking in prayer to God,
You never hear what He’s saying to you,

In Luke 11, Jesus teaches His disciples
To pray in a wise, simple way.
Recognize the power of God
And reflect on what this version has to say.

It’s a personal, approachable prayer
To Abba, our Papa, our Dad.
It invites us to be honest with God,
Especially when we’ve been remorsefully bad.

Be specific in naming your sins.
From your core, tell Him of your failure and fear.
Then look for the way your Savior responds.
Notice His Spirit within you. Feel His Love near.

God may not answer in ways you expect.
Our Lord is not Santa Claus in disguise.
Listen and look for God’s exquisite response.
He cares, He hears, and His response always is wise.

In faith, hope and trust,
Just PRAY!

Amen.

Take your troubles to the Lord today.
The Holy Spirit is in you – always ready.
The God of Creation who created you
Is here to help you … Helpfulness is steady.

There is nothing quite like prayer in song –
especially when it is Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion!

I have you in my prayers tonight, my friends.

Look up for your purpose!

Be safe. Be well…
See you tomorrow.
Love, JanBeek

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