Loving One Another

Archive for the ‘writing’ Category

Betul is Awesome



Betul was nominated for this award.
She’s an awesome blogger for sure!

Check her out at:
https://betulerbasi.com/2020/05/30/awesome-blogger-award

Rules:

  • Thank the person that nominated you
  • Tag the post with #awesomebloggeraward
  • Answer the questions you were asked
  • Nominate at least 5 bloggers and inform them of their nominations
  • Give them 10 new questions

Here are the ten questions Betul gave her readers … and my answers to those questions:

1- What do you like about yourself? I am open to life-long learning, knowing God is not finished with me yet.

2-What don’t you like about yourself? I can’t name them all… too many… but I’m working on areas of procrastination and impetuousness.

3- What are the most important characteristics you look for in a good friend? Honesty and compassion

4-If you were too hungry and too sleepy, would you choose sleep or food first? Would depend if the food was available or not. If not, I’d sleep and dream of food!

5-How much time do you spend on social media in a day? Is WordPress considered “social media”? If so, 3 or 4 hours. About a half hour on FB.

6-Do you have a favorite travel destination? If so, where is it? Switzerland, cuz that’s where our daughter and her family are … and California, cuz that’s where our son and his family is.

7-How do I believe my writing could help people? My goal is to inspire us all to love God and one another more completely, more faithfully, and to live a life of gratitude and integrity.

8-What is the most recent TV show you watched? Do you recommend it? I watched almost every episode of The Voice. Now that the season is over, I look forward to next season. Yes, I recommend it.

9-What is the most important human need (other than the basic ones like eating, sleeping etc.) and why do you think it is important? Love, connection… that was yesterday’s post on http://www.janbeek.blog

10-Mornings, afternoons or evenings? They’re all important! But, I am more energetic in the morning.

I nominate these AWESOME bloggers:

Most of you whom I nominated are too busy to bother with answering this nomination, but that’s okay. I just want you to know I think you’re awesome – and if there are any of my readers who by chance have not read your blogs, I want them to clink on your link and treat themselves. I try never to miss one of your posts.

If you feel like it, you can copy those same 10 questions up there and add your answers. If not, that’s okay. Just keep writing your awesome posts!

Have an awesome Sunday.

Smile!

My love to you.
JanBeek

Category:

Awards, blogging, Gratitude, Love, relationships, writing

Tagged with:

Find Contentment


Paul Holdorf – Singing Sky Photography

Contentment

Paul Holdorf posted the following beautiful, eloquent essay on FaceBook today to accompany his wonderful photograph above. Do yourself a favor and take time to live in the scene with Paul and me for awhile. I am still there… in the arms of love and contentment.

No further comment from JanBeek necessary. Just savor Paul Holdorf’s creativity. ❤

“I can’t help but wonder what life was like for the occupants of this home. One might at first say that life sure is easier now, but is it? To be sure, it was a hard life, but it must be so rewarding to directly benefit from hard work. Very few things had to be purchased. Most things were made from whatever was available. A hard days work did not have to be converted to cash in order to benefit the family. The same soil that had to be scrubbed out from under fingernails, when properly tilled and watered, grew food for the table. It also grew food for the livestock that in turn also provided sustenance for the inhabitants of this home. As I stood there, I could hear the life that once resided here. A chair scraped on the rough wood floor as Dad got up to go make sure all was well outside before darkness settled in. The children helped clear chipped and faded dishes from the table as Mom brought in a pale of water to rinse things off. There was enough light left for several hours of exploration, so soon the distance sounds of laughter blended in with the clanking of dishes and the splash of dirty dishwater being thrown out the open door. Next to the door, in the corner of the room, stood an old broom, patiently waiting to remove the gravelly evidence of an evening well played. Later, after the children were all played out and tucked into a crowded bed, a silhouette could be seen in the warm light of the setting sun. Out in the yard, next to the swing hanging from a tree, a tired but fulfilled couple sat on an old log bench with their arms around each other. She leaned her head on his strong shoulder, and he thankfully leaned his head over hers. They watched the golden light dip behind the distant mountains and spread a blanket of oranges and reds over the high mountain valley much like the bedspread that would soon bring warmth and comfort to this couple. They work hard, they sleep when the sun sleeps and rise with it in the morning but it is a good life. Nothing is wasted, and everything is wisely used. I walk away from my daydream as they drift off to sleep. Stars begin to twinkle and an owl calls from its roost out in the forest. Rest and rejuvenation fill weary bodies with readiness for the next day, when they’ll do it all over again with joy and contentment in lives well lived.”

Category:

art, blessings, blogging, contentment, Family, Gratitude, happiness, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, Montana, peace, photography, relationships, writing

Tagged with:

One Small Act


If you see someone
Who desperately needs your help,
Of course you’ll reach out.

But most people seem
Afraid to really let on –
They hide what they need.

Too proud to reach out,
They act like everything’s fine.
Sharpen your feelers!

Reach out secretly.
It’s like that wine meme I saw:
Make it a fun game!

Hah, I did just that!
But was surprisingly caught!
Yup, laughter is good.

What is one small act
You can do to cheer a friend?
How about a card?

When you mail a card to a friend,
consider inserting a tea bag or a seed packet.

Lord, make me a channel of Your peace…
This is Susan Boyle at her best –
So pure, so sweet, so inspiring.

To be loved – as to love with all my soul –
It is in giving to all that we receive –

Where there is darkness,
Only light;
Where there is sadness,
Ever joy!

Virtual Hugs to you
from me and my daddy!
Hah! I used to have dark hair like his was.

See ya tomorrow.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.

What’s that “One Small Act” for you today?
Tell me!



Category:

blessings, Family, flowers, friendship, Giving, Haiku, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, music, peace, Poetry, relationships, Serving One Another, Sharing, writing

Tagged with:

Was Lost – Is Found


On his blog, RothPoetry, Dwight posted this today,

“Today we were asked to write poetry from our book shelf. Bjorn, at d’Verse, called it found poetry. The challenge is to arrange and make a poem using book titles from our shelf, without changing any titles. I thought these were a very fitting group for the times we are experiencing. See what you think?

Found Poetry

Violence

Money, Sex, and Power

The Brilliant Idiot

Dialogue with death”

So I thought it would be fun to take up the challenge and do my own “Found Poem.”

The bookshelf in my “Angel Room”

I’m OK – You’re OK

Faith is the Answer

Mornings with Jesus

Reach Out!

Go to Dwight’s WordPress blog: see some other Found Poems. Take up the challenge! Go to your bookshelf. Share a Found Poem with me. Have fun with it. I’d love ❤️ to hear from you.

Virtual hugs 🤗

Cheers!! JanBeek

Category:

blogging, books, Faith, Love, Poetry, writing

Tagged with:

Quarantine = 40


Photo by Edward Jenner on Pexels.com

A friend sent this to me in an e-mail today.
I found it to be quite thought-provoking.
Decided to share it with you. (Author unknown)

WORLD QUARANTINE

   
The Latin root of the word “quarantine” is “forty”.
So what does the Bible say about 40?  
The flood lasted 40 days.
40 years Moses fled Egypt.
40 days Moses stayed on Mount Sinai to receive the Commandments.
Exodus lasted 40 years.
Jesus fasted for 40 days.
Lent is 40 days.
40 days for a woman to rest after giving birth. 40 weeks to delivery

40 Represents Change

A group of theologians thinks the number 40 represents “change”.  It is the time of preparing a person, or people, to make a fundamental change. 
Something will happen after these 40 days. Just believe and pray.

Please know that during this “quarantine” rivers are cleaning up, vegetation is growing, the air is becoming cleaner because of less pollution, there is less theft and murder, healing is happening, and most importantly, people are turning to Christ.  The Earth is at rest for the first time in many years and hearts are truly transforming.

Ask Guidance for Change


So, during this time, enjoy it with your loved ones and return to the family altar together. Family prayer is a great blessing.  Through prayer you will see the changes God can work in you and in your home.  Christ promises us that everything works together for the good for those who love God and are called according to His purposes: Romans 8:28!


Remember we are in the year 2020, and 20 + 20 = 40. 


Also, 2020 is the year of the United States Census.  Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, was born during a census.


Lastly, 2020 is perfect vision.  May our sight focus on the Lord and living according to His perfect vision for us knowing He holds us in the palm of His hand.


May these days of “quarantine”
bring spiritual liberation to
our souls, our nation, and our world.
The best is yet to come. 
Trust in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!✨

TRUST!

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

When will you have been quarantined for 40 days?
Today was my 32nd day.

Have a Terrific Tuesday, my friends.
I send my love and best wishes for your health.
See ya later.


Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, Faith, Life's Challenges, Love, prayer, writing

Tagged with:

Doing Your Best


Donna Marie Nielsen, a dear fellow blogger shared a gripping story and a marvelous poem on her WordPress blog, The Father’s Feet:
https://thefathersfeet.wordpress.com/2020/04/02/revealing-gods-power/

Please go to her post to read the story and become acquainted with Donna. Here is her poem:

TRIED YOUR BEST 

At the end of my life  

when I stand before the Lord, 

I just want to hear Him say, 

“You tried your best.” 

“You may not have always succeeded 

and yes, there were times 

 when you failed; 

but you never let Me down for  

you tried your best.” 

“The gifts that I gave you, 

you did try to use. 

You may not have always used them, 

indeed many times you did fail, 

but it is okay 

I love you, 

You tried your best.” 

“You listened for my voice. 

You did your best to obey. 

The words that I spoke,  

they pierced your heart and you 

 tried your best 

   to let them change you those days.” 

“You were not perfect,  

I did not create you to be. 

I knew that apple  

would be picked off the tree. 

I know you are not perfect, 

 that is okay with me.” 

I provided my Son to take all that away. 

All I ever wanted from you my dear child 

is to know that you wanted to 

try your best.” 

“Tried your best  

to do the right things, 

tried your best  

to be the best you could be.” 

“In all your relationships, I never did frown, 

I saw you my child, you were  

trying your best.” 

At the end of my life when I stand before the Lord, 

more than all else, with such love in His eyes, 

I want to hear Him say, 

“MY child, you 

 TRIED YOUR BEST.” 

-Donna Nielsen

Starts with Mind-Set

Part of trying to do and DOING your best is mind-set. It’s where all the effort begins… in your head and in your heart. If you’ve followed my blog very long at all, you know I begin each day in my “Angel Room.” It’s my favorite room in the house.

I sit in that rocker and enjoy quiet time with God.

In my sanctuary, I pray, meditate, read devotionals and the Bible, and often write letters and cards to friends. Often the inspiration for my blog comes during my sanctuary time.

It Takes Divine Guidance

Before I leave my sanctuary each morning
and walk down the spiral staircase,
I ask for Divine Guidance, I pray,

“Lord, take me where you want me to go today.
Help me meet who You want me to meet.
Tell me what you want me to say.
Help me be what You made me to be.
Show me what You want me to do.
Help me walk in Your Way.”

These days, with the COVID-19 restrictions in place, He doesn’t want me to GO very far from home. The people I meet are usually on ZOOM or MarcoPolo, FaceTime, FaceBook, or here on WordPress. But, I do ask for help with what to say here on my blog, elsewhere on the internet, in phone calls and messages, and on those cards I write.

God helps me live up to WHO He made me to be… and I try my best to follow His lead. That’s all we can do you know: DO OUR BEST!

Great Resources

There are so many great resources out there to help us on our daily walk. Guideposts is one of my go-to sources. I have been reading their Daily Guideposts for at least a decade.

Recently I received a complimentary copy of Strength & Grace, daily devotionals for caregivers. I was tempted to pass it along to a friend who is caring for her recuperating spouse, but then I read a page or two, and I decided it is very pertinent to all of us who are sequestered and taking care of ourselves – and whoever may be living in the house with us.

The inside cover says,
“Everything is possible for one who believes,”
Mark 9:23

Today’s message, April 18th, was titled, “Caregiver Foolishness.” It might have just said, “Our Foolishness,” because we all are foolish at times! We all occasionally make “careless mistakes or unwise decisions.” The message went on to explain:

“Foolishness strikes when we are tired and vulnerable, making us feel even worse.” But don’t stop there, we are told, “The opposite of foolishness is wisdom – God’s specialty. We may be fools, but God is always there with us, ready to carry us when we blunder.”

You HAVE received!

Try Your Best and Believe

So, the good news is: God knows our hearts. God knows our sincere efforts. He shares His wisdom and strength with us.

As long as we rely on God, it’s okay to be foolish at times. After all, we’re mortal. He did not create us to be perfect! Just join the Guideposts prayer team and me:

“God of strength and wisdom, even in my most foolish moments, You are there. I thank You for Your wisdom when I try my best, and for Your grace when my best doesn’t measure up.

I thank You for Your strength when I am weak. Help me always to remember, as Donna Marie wrote in her poem, ‘At the end of my life, when I stand before the Lord, I just want to hear Him say, you tried your best!’

Help me with my mind-set, my adherence to Your divine guidance, and my wise use of the many resources out there to assist my efforts. Help me in my Belief and forgive my doubts.

In Jesus Name,
Amen”

My efforts may not
always be trophy-worthy,
but I try my best!

Thanks for your visit to JanBeek today.
Do your best to have
a restful Saturday night
and a blessed Sunday.

Bee well!!
See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Belief, blogging, God, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, peace, Poetry, prayer, Sharing, writing

Tagged with:

Are You a Writer?


Photo by Retha Ferguson on Pexels.com

What’s a Writer?

How do you define a writer? Are you one?

Not everyone who reads my blog has a blog of their own. Not everyone who writes a blog has anything published anywhere else.

Must you write a blog or have something published in order to consider yourself a writer?

Does writing in a journal qualify you to call yourself “Writer”?

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

When you create a grocery list or a list of your “To-Do’s” for today, you are writing. Does that make you a “Writer”?

Definition of Writer

—noun

  1. a person engaged in writing books, articles, stories, etc., especially as an occupation or profession; an author or journalist.
  2. a clerk, scribe, or the like.
  3. a person who commits his or her thoughts, ideas, etc., to writing
  4. (in a piece of writing) the author (used as a circumlocution for “I,” “me,” “my,” etc.): The writer wishes to state….
  5. a person who writes or is able to write: a writer in script.
Photo by Ylanite Koppens on Pexels.com

The Key to Being a Writer

The key to being a writer lies for me in the definitions number 3 and 5 above. It’s so obvious!

To be a writer, you must write! You must commit your thoughts and ideas to writing! Not just the ability to write (like writing your signature on a check or signing your name on a card), but the ability to put your thoughts and ideas down on paper or computer or someplace where others can read them.

Are you a writer who writes for others?

Play at Writing

Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Pexels.com

Write like a child at play –
words are the beads;
string them together
one bead at a time.

Writing should be fun! Cristian Mihai on The Art of Blogging says, “Just punch the damn keys.” In his post today, he reminds us also that we are never finished in our quest to be anything… writers, artists, body builders, you name it!

To Be Human Means That Our Work is Never Finished
His blog is about Art
inspiration
motivation
passion
Personal Development

Cristian Mihai wrote in the blog I imbedded above (for your ease in going to read it in its entirety),
“… we are all works of art. And we are never, ever, ever complete.”

He quoted 70 year-old Seneca who wrote,

“I am still learning…”

Cristian went on to remind us,

“One thing of extreme importance in life is never, ever to be complete.

To always strive for more.

To be able to reinvent yourself on a constant basis.”

He said, “We are not nouns, but verbs. Action is what defines us. And we can change what we do as we learn and develop new skills.”

I appreciate the ideas I glean on a daily basis from Cristian Mihai. He helps me put into action some of my better impulses, and to do it with the Spirit guiding me.

Let the Spirit Guide Your Writing

Let intentionality
yield to spontaneity.
Let the spirit
guide you.

Spiritual direction is as important to the life of a writer as good editing is to the life of the mind. Both deliver us from the blindness of a solitary thinker.

Being a solitary writer squeezes our vision and makes us myopic. Being short-sighted cuts us off from the wonderful world of criticism. Your spirit can guide your creativity, but seeking one’s own center does not mean we should discount others’ opinions.

Writers Are Not Indifferent

In his book, Saints and Writers – On Doing One’s Work in Hiding, Belden C. Lane wrote the following about prolific writer, James Joyce:

“James Joyces’ wife, Nora, loved him for his ordinariness. She paid little attention to his writing. With critics, Joyce had to second-guess himself. With Nora, he never had to prove anything. It was worthless even to try. Loving indifference can prove a safe place – a hidden center – from which one’s creativity grows without being turned back onto itself.”

I am not indifferent to the responses of others to my writing. Unlike James Joyce, who evidently came across as “ordinary” to his wife, my husband treats me like I am anything but ordinary – a very special, talented writer whose ideas are worth reading. He reads each of my blogs before I post them. I am not indifferent to his editorial ideas, and I appreciate his input.

Photo by Ann H on Pexels.com

Let Your Creativity Grow

Just as Cristian Mihai reminded us in his blog today, never ever be complete! Never consider your skill set as mastered. Always keep learning and growing and seeking ways to improve.

You ARE a writer! You DO commit your thoughts and ideas to writing.

A few of your ideas expressed in the comments below will not be met with indifference by this writer. I LOVE hearing from you. You help me to keep growing!

See you tomorrow.

Category:

art, blogging, learning, Life's Challenges, Love, relationships, Serving One Another, Sharing, teaching, writing

Tagged with:

Tag Cloud

%d bloggers like this: