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Posts tagged ‘burdens’

Heavy Burdened

Photo by Vlada Karpovich on Pexels.com

I am unable to sleep tonight. Part of it is restless leg syndrome. Do you ever suffer from that? If so, what do you do about it?

Part of it is the burden of unfinished business. I FAXed a request to Pfizer for financial assistance in order to get Bob’s medication for his heart trouble, but I am not sure the company received my FAX. I received no verification. I need to follow up. Can’t do it at 2: in the morning, but it weighs on my heart and I am restless. The heavy burden of unfinished business is weighing me down.

So, I got up and decided to read a few devotionals, check out some Bible verses that might help me, and see if I can get back to sleep. I prayed for God’s help, and of course (as always) He delivered. Right in my e-mail box, here was just the message I needed from:

The Tired Elk

I relieved his shoulder from the burden.
Psalm 81:6, CSB
 
Are you carrying around a heavy burden?

So was a bull elk in Colorado who somehow stuck his head into an abandoned car tire and got it caught around his neck. As his antlers grew, the tire was impossible to shake off. He was tracked for two years as he wandered around “tired.” His heavy rubber necklace weighed him down day and night. Finally, wildlife officials were able to find and tranquilize him. They removed the heavy weight from his neck before releasing him back into the wild.

Recommended Reading:Psalm 81: 1 – 10
The Lord knows how much we can carry, and He knows how to lift the burdens from our shoulders at the right time. We can cast all our cares on Him, knowing He will care for us in His timing, in His will, and in His way.
Photo by Andrew Neel on Pexels.com

Like that elk and this poor soul with head in hand, feeling overwhelmed, I realized I need the abandoned car tire removed from around my neck! I can’t do it alone. So, go to the Word, Jan. Take Dr. Jeremiah’s advice and go to your Bible and then go to God in prayer. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30

“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.”

Do you suppose Jesus is laughing at me right now?

“Silly Jan!” He may be saying. “Why are you trying to carry this burden alone? You know I am with you. Hand it over… I got this!”

“OK, Lord. Take this tire off my neck and shoulders. Take the heat and flutters from my legs. I will rest in you. Tomorrow I can do what I cannot do in the middle of the night. Tomorrow I’ll call Pfizer and see about Bob’s medicine. Thank You for being here for me.”

Go to sleep!

Good night!
Peace be with you.
See ya tomorrow (for sure!)

Love ya,
JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, God, Gratitude, health, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Love, mental health, peace, prayer

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Is Your Cross Too Heavy?

Photo by Vitu00f3ria Santos on Pexels.com

Thank you, Vitu Santos for this wonderful photo.
It speaks volumes to me…
and it exhibits to me
the message of today’s sermon…

Today’s sermon notes

At the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church in Ennis, MT today,
Rev. Steve Hundley delivered his sermon titled, “Is Your Cross Too Heavy?”
The Lord prompted me to take my sermon notes in the shape of a cross.
The photo of the cross sermon above is the result of that effort.

Photo by Mauriciooliveira109 on Pexels.com

To illustrate his point – that we need to give Jesus our burdens,
lighten our load, and live in joy, Rev. Steve used this story:

“It’s hard for an egg to become a bird,
but it would be harder for a bird
to fly while still in the egg.”

Let go the egg…
and FLY!
Give Jesus your burdens
and follow Him
with JOY,
not because you HAVE to,
but because you
WANT to.

Photo by Joshua Abner on Pexels.com

God bless you
with the JOY
of
Life Given Away
because you WANT to!

Thank you, Ty, for this beautiful image.

Have a Happy Labor Day weekend.
See ya tomorrow.
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, contentment, Faith, Family, Giving, God, happiness, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Love, peace, relationships, sermon notes, Serving One Another

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The Story of Our Freedom

We had a wonderful outdoor church service today.
God blessed us with the most perfect weather imaginable!

See the Rocky Mountains out beyond Bob’s nose?
Only a few scattered puffy clouds over there.
Bob is in charge of “Buildings and Grounds” at our church.
He has spent hours weed-eating under those threes!
And we have a team of volunteers who mow the lawns.
Looks lovely, huh?
Our service was out on that lawn.
I didn’t take any photos til afterward
when all the chairs were put away and
only one couple remained
talking with Bob.

Rev. Steve Hundley delivered a great sermon
titled “”Peter Pride and Dana Defeated.”
He assured us the names were not gender specific!
If you’ve followed my blog for a while,
you know I take sermon notes in poetry as I listen.

I changed the title to “The story of Our Freedom.”

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The story of our freedom
Is written on the Statue of Liberty.
We believe in that freedom, but
It can make captives of you and me.

We can be captivated by
Our need to be totally free.
Our need to be gregarious
Causes us to share with you our glee.

We strive (like Peter Pride) to be
At the top – – – the Number One.
But sometimes Peter Pride’s goals
Get in the way of following God’s Son.

We resist the role of Dana Defeated,
Who is a critic of her own.
She usually feels unworthy
And tries so hard she’s tired to the bone.

Jesus says to give Him your burdens.
He’ll put His yoke upon you
And help you carry your troubles.
Let Him take a pound or two.

Peter Pride sees life through self-effort.
He keeps religion in its place.
He knows Jesus has a point,
But you gotta work to stay in the race.

Peter doesn’t believe burdens are light.
He sees Dana Defeated as sad.
She walks humbly and asks for help,
But seldom looks contented or glad.

Peter found the glory of being on top
Often is overshadowed by loss.
Way up there, it’s sometimes lonely;
No one to help carry our cross.

Jesus said, “Come to Me, I’ll give you rest.”
He’s talking to Dana and Peter, both.
Life should not be a journey to death.
Instead, accept Jesus’ helpful yokes.

Jesus will provide the yoke for us.
He’ll join with us and help us carry
Our burdens of pride or defeat.
Let Him lift you – and be merry!

Amen!

Have a Wonderful Sunday, my friends.
See ya tomorrow.
Love ya,
JanBeek

Category:

Belief, Faith, God, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, Montana, Poetry, trees, writing

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Bee a Joy-Bringer!

Bee a Joy-Bringer!
Why not spread lots of sweetness?
Plenty to be found!

animal bee bloom blooming

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

There are so many reasons
To be joyful every day.
Open my eyes, Lord,
To the smiles in my way.

Mountains to climb
I can carry all the troubles,
See the gloom and the doom,
Or I can listen to the birds
As their song fills this room.

animals avian birds branch

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

I can marvel at snow
Or complain of the drifts.

Open my heart, Lord,
To be ready for shifts.

Shift gears to the joy
Each fresh, new day brings.
Help me bee a joy-bringer;
Turn winter hearts into springs!

Category:

Haiku, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Love, nature

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Let Us Pray

In the wake of the horrendous events in Newtown, Connecticut yesterday, the Rev. Jean Johnson in Ennis, Montana sent this prayer to her friends. Thoughtful and well-written, it is worth sharing.

Let us pray…………
Loving God,
you are nearest when we need you most.
In this hour of sorrow we turn to you,
trusting in your loving mercy.
Your love cares for us in life
and watches over us in death.
We bless you for our Savior’s joy in little children
and for the assurance that of such is the kingdom of heaven.
In our sorrow,
make us strong to commit ourselves, and those we love,
to your unfailing care.
In our perplexity,
help us to trust where we cannot understand.
There are days when the burdens we carry are heavy on our shoulders and weigh us down,
when the road seems dreary and endless,
the skies gray and threatening,
when our lives have no music in them,
and our hearts are heavy with pain
and we have lost courage.
Flood the path with light,
turn our eyes to Your promises,
tune our hearts to brave music;
gives us a  sense of companionship and community;
quicken our spirits
that we may be able to encourage all who journey with us on the road of life.
Write Your blessed name, O Lord, upon my heart,
there to remain so indelibly engraven,
that no prosperity,
no adversity,
shall ever move me from Your love.
Be to me a strong tower of defense,
a comforter in tribulation,
a deliverer in distress,
a very present help in trouble
and a guide  through the many temptations and dangers of this life.
In the name of Jesus the Christ we pray………….   Amen.

Category:

Life and Death

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