The prompt for today asked me to identify my favorite pastime… I am doing it: writing. Especially writing on my blog, but also writing text or e-mail messages to family and friends and sending greeting cards for all kinds of occasions ie: Birthdays, Anniversaries, Get Well, Thinking of you…
Writing poetry is another favorite activity. If you’ve read my blog for awhile, you know I like to take sermon notes in church on Sundays. Sometimes they rhyme… but more often lately they are free verse. It’s my way of capturing the main message as I hear and understand it.
Rev. Mary Grace Reynolds used Matthew Chapter 5:13-16 as her springboard for today’s message. Here’s what the sermon said to me today:
Be Salt and Light
Salt preserves. As Christians, We, too, must preserve What is right in the world.
We must become Salt and Light. Salt that exists For a specific purpose.
Light that shines As a witness to Jesus. Salt that creates A thirst for what is Good.
Fight for each human’s Right to live in The light of Torchbearers – Lighting the way for others.
Blessed are the merciful. Blessed are the peacemakers. Think first to help someone else. Be a light who blesses others.
Don’t lose your saltiness. Don’t cover your light. Create pathways to Wholeness in this world.
Amen? Amen!
Are you Salt for a specific purpose? Does that influence your choice of Favorite Pastime? Does your purpose shed Light on your pathway? Is it peaceful?
What is your favorite pastime? Don’t tell me you don’t have one!
Do you belong to a Writers’ Group? If not, is there one in your area? If not, how about starting one?
We had Writers of Madison County alive and well when Bob & I moved here back in 2006. I joined in 2007. We published an anthology each year.
Over the years members moved away or some of the older ones left this earth. By the time of the Pandemic, we were no longer publishing – and so the group disbanded.
Then this year a friend asked me, “Why don’t you start the group again?” I contacted our local bank where we’d been meeting and they graciously gave us their Fireside Room to use twice a month.
I contacted the local newspaper and they put our meetings in the news calendar every 1st & 3rd Friday. Our group is small (averaging 4 to 6), but we hope to grow… and we are enjoying the sharing.
Last week there were four of us. We began with a 15 minute “Free Write” on a topic suggested by a new member: “Getting Ready for Winter”
We wrote for 15 minutes and then shared orally what we had written. Feedback was spontaneous and encouraging. The others wrote fictional short stories or personal reflections. I wrote this poem:
Winter Comes Too Early
Winter comes too early And it lasts too long. When God created seasons, He got it all so wrong!
The seasons should be equal: Spring summer winter fall. Each has its own beauty. I really love them all.
But here in Montana Winter comes too soon. We barely get a summer When we see the autumn moon.
The leaves turn gorgeous golden. The wildflowers die on the vine. The frost kills the mosquitoes. But what joy is left is mine.
I take joy in getting ready For winter’s cold but glorious snow, Begging neighbors to be willing To plow us out, you know?
Winter boots and jackets Come forward in the space Where sandals and sundresses Once occupied that place.
Family in California Invite us to take a break. Prepare for winter travel. Call – and reservations make.
So, enjoy what little autumn We are fortunate to see, Because before you are ready, Winter’s here for you and me.
Sleigh bells ring and children gather Near the fireplace to hear Reindeer bells and Ho-ho-ho’s. Are you ready? Winter’s near!
… Jan Beekman, 9-20-2024
My friends complimented my ability to produce a poem in that brief fifteen minute period. But, for me, writing poetry is as easy (if not easier) than prose. I thank my mom for that. She loved poetry. Even though she didn’t write it, she collected it, memorized it, shared it. And I was the grateful, eager recipient.
Where did your love of writing originate? What kind of writing is most fun for you? Do you have a group with whom to share it? If so, good for you! If not, why not start a writers’ group in your neighborhood, town or city?
How shall we use our tongues? That was the question posed by James McGuire in today’s devotional in “These Days.”
These Days, Daily Devotionals for Living by Faith, published especially for Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
James 3:10 says, “From the same mouth comes a blessing and a curse. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.“
Ah, my friends, t’is so true… we all are a combination of good and evil! Capable of great love and alas, of ugly hate. Which dog wins? The one we feed!
James McGuire elaborated on the subject. “The development of speech was a unique human accomplishment,” he wrote. “Other creatures communicate by grunts, growls, and touch. Humans use many languages.”
He went on to ask, “How shall we use our power of speech? Shall we bless others, or shall we curse? What shall we do with our ability to write?”
That last question brought me to my blog. Here I write with the purposes explained in my heading: I intend to spread “Love, joy, peace, faith and unity.” I believe there is too little of each of those in our world.
James McGuire asked, “What about the ideas that pour forth through television and videos?”
Here in the USA, this week more than 67 million people tuned in to the Harris-Trump debate. Lordy, Lordy, what a fiasco! What is this world coming to??
James McGuire ended his devotional with this prayer: “Holy God, forgive us when we misuse our tongues. Teach us to choose words wisely as we communicate with each other and the world.”
Like Old Testament proverbs, the Letter of James offers wise teachings for Christians of every age. We who write (and speak publicly), teach, and lead have a particular responsibility for our use of language. We who read and who listen to public speakers must be attuned to the Holy Spirit as we read and hear others.
“Moreover,” James McGuire and James reminded us, “we must be wise in choosing what we view on big and little screens.”
Words, words, words! They are so important!! A BLESSING OR A CURSE? Do both come out of your mouth? “My brothers and sisters, this ought not be so.”
Join me, won’t you? Let’s try to use our tongues and our arms and our lives to spread Only Love.
My muse has been asleep My muse has been absent I’ve been in a funk My muse just up and went
Ever since my pup died I can’t seem to get inspired In all the world’s turmoil I think my muse expired
But then I looked around To see how I am blessed I told my weary self that This is just a test
He’s my Muse!
Ah-hah! He never left me It was I who strayed away Return to Faith’s assurance And “Bee a Light” today!
I looked back at days gone by To a time when I felt fine And found a helpful poem I’m adopting today as mine.
It was inspired by His Word I read the Bible every day Now I must remember to apply The Words God has to say!
2 Corinthians 4:6 a
For it is God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness…”
I Can Let My Light Shine (Written in December 2023)
In a world filled with war and hate I can shine a light of love from me In a world filled with animosity and division I can shine a light of unity
In a world filled with hopelessness and despair I can lift the lamp of hopefulness In a world filled with fear and worry I can shine the joy of faithfulness
I can “bee” a light in the darkness Because the love of Christ shines through The grim shadows of despair And that Light also is in you
As a wonderful God-created child You are part of a magnificent whole So let that Spirit buried in you Shine forth from your blessed soul
Your light shines from the Creator Just as mine sparkles brightly, too So fill this world with the light of love Let’s let love’s light shine from me and you!
Amen
My Muse is alive and well. God Bless You! Yours is, too!! Let it shine!!!
National poetry month is wrapping up. Where did April go? I am so glad I was able to hear our state’s poet laureate, Chris La Tray, this month. He certainly inspired me. Have you tried your hand at writing some poetry this month?
Our Advent study in poetry certainly enhanced that ADVENTure this year for me!
Proverbs 16:9
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”
My morning devotionals in Dec. 2023 have guided my steps in 2024. The Advent team challenged us to “…hold space for our weariness and our joy… seek a thrill of hope in our hurting world… cry out for comfort… and find many ways to rejoice.”
This is the poem Rev. Sarah wrote to kick off the theme that has inspired my 2024 thus far:
So, unzip the weight you carry around, and let God inspire you also to rejoice in this weary world!
My response to that poem was to let Rev. Sarah Speed inspire me to write my own “The Last Time I Saw God”
The last time I saw God face to face I opened the bedroom shades. God was every color of orange. I was merely a mortal in awe of it all.
The sun was just rising over the Madison Range. God was in the sunrise. I climbed my sanctuary stairs. God was waiting there for me; He was the brightest yellow.
The time before that, A three-year-old was explaining her understanding of love. God was the brightest red in her precocious explanation. Love is helping others – being kind.
And in between these small gifts were glimpses of God in the warm morning hug, the gathering of church friends, the joy of guitar accompaniment, and the sound of congregational singing.
Why yes, we are blessed. We are more than blessed for the moments when God appears and speaks through the purple haze in a voice sweet as morning dewdrops, “Listen, my beloved, I am with you. See me, my beloved, I am here in your every breath.”
That was not the first nor will it be the last time I will see and hear God.
When is the last time you saw God face to face? Write about it! God bless you!
Yesterday I attended a meeting at the EllingHouse in Virginia City, MT where our Montana Poet Laureate, Chris La Tray presented his poetry.
My post yesterday told you a little about him. I went expecting to be inspired. I was not disappointed.
He shared his history and read poems from his books. I bought the “One Sentence Journal” and my friends, Ann & John, bought his book of Haiku & Haibun (which they let me borrow for a few days).
Chris explained that Haiku does not have to strictly adhere to a syllabic count of 5-7-5 because after all, it often is translated from its origin in Japanese… and so, of course, the English version won’t have the same number of syllables. But it does have those same tell-tale three lines.
My favorite from his haiku collection was the one that got a hearty laugh last night, just as he told us it tickles the fancy of school children when he shares it with them. Shows you where my maturity level is, right? Or maybe it is reminiscent of finding our puppy’s mess in the house – ah, house training is such a challenge!
bare feet skilled at finding cat puke in the dark
Mike Gibbons wrote the preface to Chris’ #2 book. In his commentary he said, “… take your time with this book, these seasonal discoveries in American haiku form. Spare and compact poems are best consumed slowly, thoughtfully, just like the Buddhist tradition they sprang from, snapshots – bird tracks on snow.”
I like that… “bird tracks on snow.” Do you relate?
In both of his books, Chris La Tray separates the writing into the four seasons. This one would be in the winter section, of course.
fresh snow and ice the bleary party-goer turns for home
Haibun is a poetic form that includes a prelude in prose followed by a haiku. Here is one of my favorites from HIs book #2.
“A visit to Walden Pond with swimming. The trees surrounding the pond are red and gold and green and every shade in between. Leafy reflections ripple across the surface of the water. I feel no less reverent for having visited before. In the year’s final quarter it remains hot and humid, and the beach is populated with swimmers. Who am I to resist?”
face down the naturalist writes our world
This “naturalist” is a proud member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. He lives near Missoula, Montana. His writing reflects his Native American background, his love of nature, his talent in the art of short-form poetry, and as one reviewer said, “his humor, sensitivity and clear eye for ‘what is’…” (Holly Wren Spaulding).
I thank the Whites for inviting me and allowing me to share this delightful evening with them. I’m gonna go now and curl up with his “One-Sentence Journal.” See ya later.
Today I received an invitation to attend: Chris La Tray, Montana Poet Laureate AT THE ELLING HOUSE, VIRGINIA CITY, MT
APRIL 27, 7-9PM
Chris La Tray, Poet, Storyteller
My friend, Ann White, sent me this description of our state’s poet laureate along with an invitation to attend. I am excited about going. Reading this blurb about LaTray inspired the poet in me… read on:
La Tray is a Métis storyteller and an enrolled member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. He is the author of One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large. His next book, Becoming Little Shell will be published by Milkweed Editions in 2024.
Chris La Tray approaches the practice of poetry the same as he does the spiritual life of an Anishinaabe person: which is to say, if one lives an Anishinaabe life, with particular attention to the seven guiding principles of the Seven Grandfather teachings – Humility, Courage, Honesty, Wisdom, Truth, Respect, and Love – then every footstep becomes a prayer. Similarly, if one approaches poetry in a similar fashion, recognizing that everything that happens may be viewed as a poem, and that every moment in life is an experience best paid constant and careful attention to, then every footstep becomes a poem. Whether as words on a page or shared orally, poetry becomes another means for telling and sharing stories; La Tray’s programs exist to remind people that their stories matter, that they are the only ones who can properly tell them, and that poetry, however it is defined, is a beautiful means for doing so.
I was so inspired by “… every footstep becomes a poem…” that I contemplated those feet that created those footsteps and remembered my small feet and their paths when I was a child. I decided to try my hand at a poem before going tonight to be inspired by Chris La Tray. What do you think?
Visiting Life’s Back Corners
I see vividly our home White with green trim A raised tulip bed All tucked at the end of Fig Lane in Newman, California.
Clear in my rear view mirror Are my walks to kindergarten With my older sister, Sally And my afternoons With “Aunt Artie” in town.
I hear her animated voice Reading to me – and then Walking me to the library To select a few books Of my own to read to her.
I see our move from town To the house next to Grandma’s And feel my spine prickle As I run through the yard Chased by a riotous TomTurkey.
I taste the delicious fennel A treat we called “sweet anise” And feel the warm sun on my back As Sally and I sit on the porch Waiting for Mom to come.
In the back corner of my mind I remember Billy coming. A troublesome cousin whose parents Were getting a divorce. And I cringe at his destruction.
Laden with my meager belongings I sense the distress of another move Far out in God-forsaken smelly country Away from Grandma and first grade friends A long walk and an hour’s bus ride to a new school.
I see vividly Crows Landing Elementary School And remember the important lessons learned Mrs. Yetter, Ms. Horwedle, Mr & Mrs Marlow Excellent teachers who validated and inspired me Living still in the back corners of my mind.
Visiting life’s back corners Congers up warm and happy memories Of an idyllic Ozzie & Harriet childhood Any troubles fade into a hazy blur As every footstep becomes a poem.
See ya tomorrow after I experience Chris La Tray.
Sure wish you could join me as our footsteps to Virginia City’s Elling House become a new and vibrant poem. God Bless You, Ann, for inviting me!
Love, JanBeek
Ah, sweet memories Of me with my daddy in that smelly back country home. I’ll write about that another day…
I found this blog to be so fascinating and so well written that I just have to share it with you. Tell me, are you as enchanted as I am with the linguistic artistry of this post?
Yesterday’s prompt was: What skills or lessons have you learned recently?
My answer: “It took four accidents in a three month period, but I finally got the message, I think:
SLOW DOWN
AND
LOOK
WHERE YOU’re WALKING!!”
It’ll take a lot of divine guidance, but I think I can slow down and watch! Avoid any further falls!!
How about you? What lesson have you learned recently?
Today the sermon topic was based on the Bible story of Zechariah and Elizabeth’s awe-inspiring birth of baby John (later known as John the Baptist). Zechariah learned not to doubt God’s messenger who told him that he & Elizabeth would at last have a child (they were in their later years of life… maybe as old as their 90’s).
When Zechariah doubted, he was struck dumb… unable to speak for the 9 months of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. But, even though Elizabeth questioned, she accepted and believed. So, she learned that great lesson, “With God all things are possible.”
Do you suppose she was awe-struck? How could she NOT be??
I would have painted them with gray hair… but nevertheless, I love this painting of Zechariah & Elizabeth. I can only imagine how awe-struck they must have been!
What causes you to be in awe these days? Have you learned to slow down and let awe envelop you?
(If you’ve followed JanBeek for awhile, you know I love taking notes in poetry as I listen to the sermon each week). So, on that awesome topic, here’s today’s encouraging sermon delivered by Rev. Mary Grace Reynolds at our Madison Valley Presbyterian Church.
I love the size & sound & the creatures in the ocean I love climbing over the sand dunes to the beach It is sitting on the grassy knoll by the shore Knowing the salty water and waves are within reach
I love oogling at sunsets and standing in the river The world gives me reason for wonder and awe Everywhere I look, I see evidence of God’s wondrous creation Regular bouts of awe are mine – they drop my jaw!
Elizabeth’s healthy baby boy brought awe To all who saw Zechariah write and confirm “John” Entering into the world of awe raises us up Out of night’s darkness, into day’s dawn
Awe can be found every day from sunrise on If we slow down and take time to really see So don’t drown in the tedious mundane of life Intentionally seek the awe – here for you and me
Let no day go by unmarveled at Appreciate the luxury of every single day We are so blessed to be here - alive Let awe and amazement be yours today
Be the #1 Marvelor today! Love and be loved – feel the pull That helps you notice all in awe Change awful to awe-full!!
Awe-men?
It may have been awful to be unable to speak for nine months. But, I’ll bet Zechariah learned new lessons every day as he watched Elizabeth grow large with child …. and as he marvelled at how amazing this turn of unbelievable events was!
Find something to marvel at today! Learn something new.
