When God starts your day with this kind of a blessing,
how can your day go wrong?
TRUST in His blessings!
This is the day that the Lord has made,
I will reJOYce and be glad in it!
How have you felt God’s blessings in your life this day?
See ya in my prayers…
Love, JanBeek
In today’s Daily Guideposts 2021, the writer, Amy Eddings, wrote about a time when she prayed relentlessly for guidance and courage – and felt her prayers were going unanswered. Have you ever felt that you were praying relentlessly for something and your request(s) seemed to be falling on deaf ears?
I remember last year when Australia was on fire and so many animals were dying and losing their habitats. I prayed along with the rest of our world for rain… but the fires raged on.
I have recently been praying incessantly for our Pastor Nominating Committee at our church. If you have followed my blog for awhile, you have read my sermon notes on Sunday from our Madison Valley Presbyterian Church. You know our pastor of 32 years died a year ago and we have a wonderful temporary pulpit fill who came out of retirement to help us. Rev. Hundley needs to be able to re-retire. So, we are searching for a solo pastor and I am praying hard. I believe in the power of prayer – and I believe in God’s perfect timing. Don’t you?
So, will you add my prayer request to your prayer list?
“Lord, help the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church
Pastor Nominating Committee
find the person God already has in mind for us.
Help them find the right new pastor
to lead the congregation into renewed spiritual growth in 2021.”
My husband, Bob, has been praying incessantly, too.
He is on our church’s leadership board
and as such is the “elder” in charge of Buildings and Grounds.
Our church owns an old church that is about 10 miles out of Ennis
in a tiny little village called McAllister.
The church was built in the 1880’s.
MVPC uses it once a year to maintain its
tax-free status as a “place of worship.”
It is in a serene country setting on a little over an acre of land.
It has electricity, but no water or septic system.
The church is for sale. We’re praying for the right buyer.
Please add this to your prayer list, too, will you?
“Lord, send the right buyer to Rikki at Berkshire-Hathaway in Ennis, MT
– a person who will treasure this historic building
and use it for wholesome purposes.”
When we EMBRACE PRAYER
and pray with a right spirit,
God hears, God cares, God answers.
“Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything,
by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving,
present your request to God.”
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God:
that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
EMBRACE PRAYER
GOD BLESS YOU
and keep you safe and healthy.
That’s my prayer for you today.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
Have a blessed Monday.
See ya tomorrow.
This is my favorite prayer… and I pray it fervently.
It spells out my purpose in life … to be an instrument of God’s peace…
TO SPREAD LOVE, FORGIVENESS, FAITH, HOPE, LIGHT AND JOY…
Sing along … and be blessed!
EMBRACE PRAYER
If you’ve followed my blog for a week or so, you already know that I journal most days in this little book that is dedicated to my dear and daring daughter, DeAna. I don’t write in it EVERY day, but often I do, when I am up in my sanctuary, motivated by my devotionals. Today was such a day.
Look ahead, my friend
Live Life Forward
Stare out the windshield
Not the rear view mirror
Look toward the future
Find the unexpected gifts
Share the love and grace
You find at every turn
Share the laughter
Share uninhibited joy
Share compassion
Ease each others pain
Find the hidden treasures
‘Neath the tears of sorrow
Let them wash you clean
Ready for tomorrow
Look ahead, my friend
Don’t let the past upset
Live life forward
And bury all regret
I have positive thoughts about today.
It’s snowing here…
and it is beautiful outside.
It’s warm and cozy inside.
I pray you are cozy, too.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek
And thank you to all my faithful followers –
Your comments make my day!
See ya tomorrow.
In my journal yesterday, I created a six stanza Haiku. It’s where I’m comin’ from on this day when I delivered Bob (my sweet husband of 58 years) into the hands of a surgeon. It’s a relatively straight-forward procedure… an angiogram to determine any heart issues that were not detected with the x-rays and EKGs. Bob is in good hands… and I am here in the hotel room relaxing:
What is Heaven like?
I can only imagine.
I see glimpses here.
The help of a friend
The love of dear family
Colors of sunrise
The pureness of snow
Unconditional pet love
Hidden surprises
Gorgeous scenery
Flower pedals opening
Precious solitude
Whiskers of kittens
Soft and abundant kisses
Marvelous sunset
Magnificent Son
The warmth of welcoming arms
And eternal rest
Thank you to Curtis Wallace for his gift of photography.
Such joy in flower petals opening – and sunflowers seeking the sun
Thank you, God, for soft and abundant kisses.
Kisses know no age
Kisses reach into our hearts
Gratefully receive
Magnificent Son
Thank you for your sacrifice
So freely given
… and eternal rest –
That’s where my daddy is now.
What is heaven like?
I can only imagine!
Just got a call from the hospital.
Bob is out of surgery.
Heart looks good.
No blockages.
No stents needed.
Thank you, God,
for hearing and answering prayer.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek
and praying with me!
You’re the best!
See ya tomorrow.
My friends, Terry and Jim Groshong, are hiking in the area of the Tetons this week. It is such a gorgeous area. I need to share some of their photos with you.
Don’t these photos make you want to take a trip to Jackson Hole, WY, and on to the areas around? Terry and Jim did some hiking… You may want to plan on that, too.
Bob and I worked at the manse (church parsonage) today. He painted the area above the garage door where the paint was chipping due to years of snow and sun bearing down on it. I stayed with Bob while he did this project yesterday and today. Not a good idea for an 81 year old to be up on ladders and scaffolding. But, it had to be done.
While Bob painted, we had an audience:
With a little noise, she got up and spent about a half an hour munching on the lawn.
Meantime, Bob completed his job. The manse looks refreshed!
That was the gray base coat. I’ll show you the finished product tomorrow. Time to go now and listen to our Presidential Debate between Biden and Trump. I pray for honest exchange and civility.
Love ya,
JanBeek
A satisfied life
Is one that applies knowledge
In constructive ways.
Use knowledge wisely.
Then your mind, soul, and heart will
Find satisfaction.
Today our daughter, De, in Switzerland shared some pictures of the renovating and decorating and menu planning they are doing in preparation for the Grand Opening of their new restaurant in Vissoie. I am so excited for them! De and Andre’ are using all the knowledge and wisdom they can muster to create an inviting ambience and delightful dining experiences.
Our grandson, Mike, is a great photographer. DeAna does a wonderful job, too. They have chosen some of their best shots taken in and around Valais and created a delightful, inviting entrance to the dining room and bar.
Now, take your knowledge
And with wisdom apply it.
Gain satisfaction!
See ya tomorrow.
Thanks for visiting
JanBeek
Fondue and chalets
Speak of Switzerland to me
It’s so beautiful!
My grandson, Mikey,
Is teasing me with this cheese.
He knows I love it!
And my daughter, De,
Is teasing me with Swiss scenes.
USA’s shut out!
Because of COVID,
We can’t even think of going.
I long to visit.
Come travel with me
Via Internet magic.
No place prettier!
That church is close by
De and Andre’s restaurant.
Opening date soon.
Notice the big flat rocks under the building at the top of the posts. That’s to keep mice and other rodents from climbing in and stealing the grain!
Do you imagine
Travel restrictions will lift
In a year from now?
Thanks for traveling
Vicariously with me.
Next year: Go for real!!
Have a Restful Thursday night.
The next You.Tube is a young man from Germany who is at an alphorn competition in Nendaz, Switzerland – very near where De and Andre’s home is in Sierre and their restaurant in Vissoie. He is delightful. Do take time to listen to him!
Hugs,
JanBeek
Before I leave you this morning, I want to share something I found on FaceBook:
I do #9 regularly.
I love the Proverbs.
There are 31 chapters.
Today read Chapter 22. Full of wisdom!
I’m at #11 on the routine list right now.
Do you get notices like this from WordPress?
I wonder what’s magic about 1337?
You’d think they’d wait til 1500 or some round number, wouldn’t you?
Anyway you look at it though, that’s a lot of posts.
I hope you spend some time perusing them
by putting your favorite topic up in the search bar at the upper right.
Topics like bees or animals, Switzerland or Jesus will lend some beautiful results!
Sending you my love,
JanBeek
There is no better way
To spend an autumn day
Than to take a ride with friends
Up into the Gravelly Range
We traveled along the Madison
Overlooking the Palisades
And enjoyed the river view
And the hint of what’s to come
Every mile closer to
Antelope Basin, our destination,
The scenery became more and more
breathtaking!
At the 7,000 foot level
The autumn colors amaze
The aspen are changing color
From green to gold to orange
Golden grasses and blue sky
Accented the purple mountains
And created a wonderland
For this appreciative photographer
We went in and out of twelve
Or more gates to keep cattle in
They stood at the road’s edge
Unperturbed by our noisy ATVs
When you sing of purple mountain majesty
And you wonder what that might look like,
Just come to Montana and you will
Wonder no more… you’ll just be in awe!
We stopped by Hidden Lake
To rest and have our lunch
The lake is soooo beautiful
And it really is hidden down there
Chuck and Caroline relaxed with Bob
After enjoying a picnic lunch
Penny & Rex were with us
And TazE, too, of course!
Isn’t that blue sky spectacular?
And the colors of the trees glorious?
Don’t you wish you could be
In an ATV traveling with us?
‘Tis time to return to our pickups
Load up the four-wheelers
Return down to our Madison Valley
And look forward to the next trip.
Wish you could join us!
I’ll share a couple more pics tomorrow.
Have a good night.
Thanks for traveling with me vicariously!
Hugs,
JanBeek
For the joy of life
I give You thanks, O my God
Thanks for Montana
For the Joy of Life
In the beautiful outdoors
Thank You, O My Lord
We thank Thee for all
The blessings You give us, Lord.
Thank Thee for Jim Reeves!
What a voice!
What a beautiful land we live in…
Let’s take care of it, okay?
Protect the animals,
the trees and flowers, and rivers,
And let’s protect one another, too.
Bob & I are so happy that we were able to sing “Happy Birthday” to our daughter, DeAna this morning. Thank God for the internet! Today is the 53rd anniversary of her birth. She is celebrating it with her son, Chris, and her choir at a retreat in the Alps. Wish we could be there to celebrate with her!
Oh, For Blessed JOY!!!
The joy of a child’s birthday…
Always our baby!
What are some of the JOYS that fill your heart today, my friends?
Is it the great outdoors, the animals, the beauty of God’s creation?
Is it family and the love of staying connected in spite of this pandemic?
Tell me!
See ya tomorrow.
Thanks for visiting!!
Hugs,
JanBeek
Hugs to You !!
Inspire to Love
Let the SonShine!
You inspire me to respond
Learning to Live; Living to Learn; Learning to Love; Living in Love
