Some of my friends need Time alone to regain strength I need time with them
In the Bloganuary #27 prompt yesterday the question was asked:
In my response, I used a Haiku poetry format in part of the answer to explain why solitude is not a “must have” on my agenda. In fact, I am never really alone. God is with me… and so are YOU!
Click the title below and tell me, how would you answer that question?
My “WORD” for 2022 is STRENGTH, so I was delighted to see the Bloganuary#25 prompt is: “Write about what makes you feel strong.“
Flexibility is one condition related to strength.
More important than anything else for me Is realizing the Source of my strength And tuning in to the One who delivers it. He has strength closer than arm’s length.
In my Morning with Jesus 2022 daily reading, I find scripture references to draw on. When I need extra strength, I go where Help is delivered faster than Amazon!
Ps. 31:24
“Be strong and take heart All you who hope in the Lord.”
God does not promise we will be without troubles. He simply says He will walk us through. So when you feel you’re in the middle of an earthquake, Rely on God because He is there with you!
Joshua 1:9
“Be strong and of good courage; Be not afraid, Neither be thou dismayed: For the Lord, thy God, Is with thee.”
He lifts me up when I can no longer walk on my own!
2 Cor. 12:9
He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you; for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
And I can rest on Him… as He raises me up so I can stand on mountains!
Believe it! You have the Power of God in you!
Be strong and of good courage! That’s what we needed this week As we are at Mayo Clinic looking For answers. He cares as we seek!
In awe of Him, we are still, and in His presence we bow And pray for His strength. He delivers today… right now!
Thanks for your prayers for Bob.
See ya tomorrow (God willing) Love to you… Have a blessed Tuesday! JanBeek
Good morning, Good Fairy. Thank you for flying on Delta with us this morning. You guided us onto this flight just in time. Do you guide the elderly often?
Ah yes! It’s my job to keep people safe and to grant their every wish
Well, you did a good job so far for us. We got the car into long-term parking and made it onto the plane on time. But what about those two guys who were sitting in our seats?
Heavens! They just wouldn’t listen. Maybe they don’t know how to tune in to their inner fairy. My buddy tried telling them those seats were taken. They wouldn’t listen.
So sometimes Good Fairies need help from earthlings?
Yes, in order to grant my earthling their wishes, often my friends have to run interference for me.
Well, I’m grateful for your assistance. Now, can you keep us safe and comfortable all the way to Rochester?
Missed the prompt yesterday … so here it is a day late… or is it two days? Life’s been busy as we were packing and preparing for this trip to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota . Departure is at 5:55 tomorrow morning! But anyway, here’s my favorite quote. It’s what my mom always told me. But I’m sure it’s not original. Wonder who first said it?
“It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt “
Check out my response to the #Bloganuary prompt #20. Click on the link above.
By the way, I love that photo of Bob back in his beekeeper days when he permed his hair. Don’t you? It was taken in our house in Modesto, CA with our Boston, Jacques. He had funny buck teeth (the dog, not Bob).
Do you know why Bob curled his hair? He hates to wear hats. As a beekeeper with naturally oily hair, bees loved to buzz in there and sting his scalp. The curls lifted the hair off the scalp and dried out the oiliness. The bees left his head alone. Interesting, huh?
I hope you enjoy the collection of photos I put on the Bloganuary site today.
Tell me, can you choose a favorite photo that you have taken?
Thanks for visiting JanBeek. See ya tomorrow (God willing)
“What Book Will You Read Next?” was the Bloganuary prompt yesterday. I was away from my computer all day, so I didn’t get a chance to answer it then. But here is my answer – a day late:
The book next on my reading list is Amanda Gorman’s “Call Us What We Carry.” Amanda is the young lady who wrote the poem that she read at the 2021 USA Presidential inauguration, “The Hill We Climb.” Her book of poems “captures a shipwrecked moment in time and transforms it into a lyric of hope and healing.” According to the inside flap of the book, “This book is a message in a bottle. This book is a letter. This book does not let up.” I loved Gorman’s poem for the inauguration message last year. I know I am going to enjoy delving deeper into her poetic prowess!
Bloganuary #17 “What’s a Super Power You’d Like to Have?”
I answered the question earlier today, interpreting it as a “Secret Power” – and those answers still stand.
But, I have had time to do my devotionals this morning – and I’ve listened to a few podcasts – and I’ve given this question greater thought.
It’s a Super Power… not just a secret power! Here’s my answer to THAT question for today:
I’d like to have the Super Power to listen with my heart – truly listen to others – and see into their heart, their intent behind their words. In Bayside Church’s devotional on-line today, Kevin Thompson spoke to this issue of listening. Here’s what he said:
“Consider the power of listening. When we hear another person, we see them, value them, place their voice above our own. We restrain ourselves to give them space to speak. Sincere listening is born of humility. It is a genuine act of love. When we fail to listen, we are elevating ourselves above others. We arrogantly assume we already know what they might say or believe they can add no value to our lives. Planning our response when someone else is talking instead of truly hearing what they have to say is a sign of pride. Refusing to see and hear other people is one of the most dehumanizing acts we can take.
“When Jesus commands that we love our neighbors, one way we should do so is to listen to them. That’s not the whole command, but it’s part of it.
“So, which neighbors are you failing to hear? Too often, our lives become echo chambers in which the only people who have our ears are those with whom we agree. People with the same experience, perspective, and understanding provide the voices that influence us. Yet love calls us to a different way. Christians should have the most diverse voices influencing us because we believe everyone is created in the image of God, every person has value and purpose, and we understand the limits to our knowledge and experience.
“Imagine the difference love/listening could make in our world. Where authentic listening takes place marriages flourish. In a world of political divisions, what if the church modeled listening and loving people with whom we disagree politically. In a society divided among socioeconomic and racial divides, what could the church offer if we went out of our way to know, hear, understand, and love those with different backgrounds, upbringings, and experiences than we have?
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE LOVED OUR NEIGHBORS—EVERY NEIGHBOR?
“The fantastic news of faith is that the God of Heaven has given us access to His ear at any moment. He invites us to speak to Him on an ongoing basis. This changes how we use our tongues. But it also changes how we use our ears. Receiving God’s invitation to hear from us, we begin to extend our ears to those to whom we otherwise might not listen. We seek to value them, learn from them, and be in a relationship with a diverse community.
Who is a neighbor you are not currently listening to? Start listening with your heart today.”
It actually doesn’t take a Super Power to listen with your heart … but to see inside the speaker’s heart to their intent … well, that might take a special gift from God – ya think?
Sending love ❤️ and prayers for your health and happiness. It’s so good to be home!
I just returned from my annual physical. In spite of a residual cough from this RSV, my dear doctor tells me I am no longer contagious – and I’ve been given a clean bill of health. Hooray! Bob’s feeling good, too. Thanks for your loving prayers!
Thank you for visiting JanBeek today.
See ya tomorrow(God willing)
Oh, and tell me – what’s a Super Power you’d like to have?
Bloganuary#16 asked us to write about something we are passionate about. I can’t pick just one! Can you? Do your passions include some of the six things I am passionate about?
Here are a half a dozen of mine:
1. Let’s start with my love of home and family and the delight at being safely back here again. That’s passionately on my heart right now after being gone 3 weeks, getting a miserable respiratory virus, and being cared for so lovingly by our son, Ty & his wife Monika:
Home Sweet Home
2. If you have read any of my blogs before this one, it will not surprise you that I am passionate about Jesus and His sacrifice that saved my soul. I love the Lord with all my heart and pray daily for His Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts and actions, and to guard my tongue, and to inspire my writing. I read His Word daily and am passionate about inspiring others to Trust also in His promises.
3. I am passionate about music. Often I include a YouTube music clip at the end of my daily message here. I love to sing. I used to play the clarinet (was quite good once upon a time before arthritis bent my fingers so badly – my skill was thanks to years of private lessons my parents provided for me and hours of happy practice during those ages from 10 to 18 – – – I also play the accordion (you can find posts about that by putting “accordion” in the search bar in the upper right of my blog). I still am passionate about sharing the joy of the accordion with others – – – it’s like carrying a party on your back!
Here’s a wonderful video clip of a great song sent to me by a dear friend this morning:
4. I am passionate about cooking – and providing homemade meals for Bob and me that are pretty as well as nutritious and tasty. Besides music and writing, cooking is one of my favorite hobbies. It’s one of the reasons I love following Caralyn’s posts on BeautyBeyondBones. If you haven’t followed her blog, do yourself a favor and check her out.
5. That’s another thing I am passionate about: finding things, places, people, books and blogs I love and sharing them with others. Here’s a link I hope will take you to the source of the picture below = (Thank you, Caralyn) https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/36990166/posts/3768091539
Isn’t that mango salsa over a nice piece of flakey, cooked-to-perfection halibut enough to make your mouth water?
What are you passionate about? I’d love to hear.
There I am in those days when I was able to serve as a volunteer at the Food Bank. (I can’t right now… until I am sure this RSV is all gone … and until Bob & I return from our trip next week to Mayo Clinic). BUT, that’s #6 on my list of passions: using the time and talents God has given me to serve others with love and compassion.
I bet you do that, too (or are you waiting until you retire?)… Don’t! Begin now… it’s so rewarding! In this COVID world, find a way! Your talents are in passionate need out there!!
God Bless You! Thanks for visiting JanBeek. See ya tomorrow (God willing)
I was off-line as we traveled safely home yesterday. Thank you for your prayers! God heard. God answered. The weather conditions (except for one little patch of dense fog just before Twin Falls – out of Jackpot) and the roads were clear and perfect. We are happy to be home!
Coming through Island Park, guided by the moonlight
The Alpine glow of the sky led us homeward in joyful anticipation
The Bloganuary prompt yesterday asked us to consider a “Life Lesson” worth remembering. I cannot do more justice to this question than to share with you this blog from “Written Word.” It’s perfect!
My response to her was to be sure that heart is filled with the voice of the Holy Spirit. Following such advice will always lead to satisfaction. God bless you!
Keeping up with the daily prompts from Bolganuary can be difficult when traveling. I hope you don’t mind that I borrowed from a fellow blogger today. Have a wonderful Sunday! ❤
janbeek 