Each day as I read my Daily Guideposts and reflect on what the message means to me, I create a “Take-Away.” I have a page or two on which I record them. Here are the take-aways from July. Which one or two resonates with you as a “Take-away” for the month that you can carry with you into August?
July Take-Aways
Be an investor in prople
Be grateful for daily love, joy, and peace
Celebrate the peace of Christ
Freedom isn’t free!
Treasure your friends; tell ’em so
Happy Birthday, Mary Grace Reynolds (my pastor)
Thank God for our loving children
Celebrate the birthdays of friends
Enjoy every day the Lord gives us
Share freely and generously with others
Spend quality time with our God/Creator
Take refuge in the familiar
Thank God for free will
As God for direction; then Trust the Journey
Care for the vulnerable
Celebrate milestones with friends
Keep an “I’m good” attitude
Share the humor and laughter of others
Slow down and watch where you’re walkin’
Be forever grateful for God’s miracles
Home is where angels live to guard us
His grace is sufficient
Praise God, friends & family for love
Love your spouse, church family & kids extravagantly
Love and appreciate the color in your life
Git Movin’
Praise God for His love, mercy, and guardian angels
Be sure to exercise daily
Thank God for giving you momentum
Thank Jesus for His companionship
I read both Mornings with Jesus and Daily Guideposts each morning up in my sanctuary. Been doing it for over a decade now.
They help me plan my day and start off on the right foot.
With the “Take-Away” tucked in my heart, I head down the circle staircase with this 12 step prayer spoken to God on my way:
Dear God, Thank you for the 1. love, 2. joy, and 3. peace (that are mine) – Help me with: 4. patience, 5. kindness, 6. goodness, and 7. faithfulness (which brings blessings). Help me with 8. gentleness, and 9. self-control. 10. Help me live humbly with an attitude of gratitude, and a response of 11. generosity, forgiveness, 12. obedience and integrity. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.
And at that point, I am at the bottom… ready to start my day.
Here are half of the June Take-Aways
Which of the Take-Aways from June or July will you carry into August with you?
Have an Awesome month! See ya tomorrow (God willing) Love, JanBeek
What are those divine gifts? Do you have them memorized? Are they yours – living fruits in you?
Each day as I walk down the circular staircase from my sanctuary, I repeat my 12 step program:
Thank You, God, for the 1) Love, 2) Joy, and 3) Peace that are mine!
Give me help, God, with these Fruits of the Spirit that I need help to exhibit: 4) Patience, 5) Kindness, 6) Goodness, 7) Faithfulness (which brings blessings). 8) Gentleness, and 9) Self-control.
Help me 10) live humbly with an attitude of gratitude and 11) a response of generosity, forgiveness, 12) Obedience and Integrity.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
When you pray daily Asking God to give you fruits, Trust, my friends, He will!
Be fruity!
Oh, and don’t forget to keep smiling, my friends. Fruity people are happy folks!! Be a fruitcake!
Happy and content is how God created us. Let’s claim that idea!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today. See ya tomorrow (God willing) – Hugs!
If you’re happy and you know it, you can be a little fruity like Jack Hartmann and sing along with this song for all kids and young at heart!
What is on your prayer list? Who are on your prayer list? Do you pray daily – multiple times each day? The Bible tells us,
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Prayer joyfully – with confidence!
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, He hears us.
John 5:14
The big question is – How do we know if what we are praying is in God’s will?
Tune in to the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave us the Spirit as a helper when He left earth and ascended into heaven. Take advantage of that gift! It is ours by God’s grace!
God’s Holy Spirit gives us the Fruits of the Spirit – and daily we must pray for their presence to live in our lives.
I find the first three are mine… I accept them with deep gratitude. Not everyone has the LOVE, JOY, and PEACE that are mine automatically. I know that! I do not take them for granted. And if you lack them, I pray God will provide you today with LOVE, JOY, and PEACE.
But, the other six? Oh Lord, I ask for help – Help with them everyday so that I may show more kindness goodness faithfulness (which brings blessings) gentleness and self-control.
Join us now as we come to God in prayer. We pray humbly for all people to have: Love Food Medical care Shelter Peace Respect Freedom Unity Faith Healing Hope Comfort and Security.
Every morning I begin my day with a cup of coffee and a climb up the stairs to my sanctuary where I spend time with my Bible, devotionals, prayers, and Jesus.
One of my devotionals is “These Days,” a daily devotion for living by faith, published by the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Its format is scripture, devotional, prayer.
Today’s scripture was:
Isaiah 40:11
He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.”
In the devotional, the author, Hope Douglas Harle-Mould, wrote about the comfort Jesus provides. She included a poem she wrote to Our God of all Faithfulness:
“We pray for a cure; God sends us healing. We pray for continued life; God gives us new life. We pray death will not come; God overcomes death. We pray in anguish; God weeps with us. We pray in fear; God teaches us to laugh. We pray for ourselves; God gives us each other. We pray for miracles; God fills us with love. We pray for the future; God showers us with blessedness. God, help me trust the voices heralding your hope.”
I am assured as I read and pray and study God’s word, that just as he carries the lamb in his arms, he will be faithful to carry me.
As I descend the twelve stairs at the end of my devotional time, I recite my personal TWELVE STEP PROGRAM Thank You, Jesus, for the:
Love,
Joy, and
Peace (that are mine). Help me with
Patience,
Kindness
Goodness, and
Faithfulness (which brings blessings),
Gentleness, and
Self-control.
Help me live humbly with an attitude of gratitude, and
A response of generosity, forgiveness,
Obedience, and integrity. In Jesus name, Amen!
When I get to the 7th step, I see the metal sculpture that says, “Blessings” above my door. It was a gift from our dear friends, Jim & Terry, so I pause to thank God for their faithful friendship. When I get to the bottom of the stairs, I see this cross on the wall:
It was made by Native Americans. I pause to pray for them and their peace and prosperity. I send occasional gifts to schools for Native American children – – places like St. Labre’ and St. Joseph’s – and they faithfully write back acknowledging my small donation.
A student at St. Labre’ School for Native American children
Faithfulness is a two-way street. We pray to God faithfully; God answers. We give to people who touch our hearts; they give back with gratitude & smiles. We read God’s Word faithfully each day; He gives us wisdom and discernment, understanding and blessings.
I really appreciate all the Happy Birthday wishes extended my way this past weekend. Thank you so much!
Even though I am happy to tell you I am starting my 83rd year on earth, I am also happy to tell you that I am a fan of Jack Benny. Now, if you are too young to remember who Jack Benny was (or you are in another country where Jack Benny was not a nationally known figure), let me tell you: Jack Benny was a comedian who embraced 39 – and decided to stay that age forever more!
Actually, I embrace aging (I wrote a blog using that title once) – I I have no desire to be stuck at 39 or any other age.
Each year brings new insights. Each year brings new joys. Each year brings new challenges. I don’t want to miss any of them.
How about you?
“Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old. Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers. Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever. Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.”
Each day I pray for wisdom. Each day I ask God to increase my understanding and I thank the Holy Spirit for the fruits of the spirit that are mine: LOVE, JOY AND PEACE. And I ask God to help me with the other fruits of the spirit: patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control… those that I work to increase as I mature in my faith.
How about you?
As I gather up those birthdays and mature in my faith, I remember to keep a child-like spirit. Enjoy that song. Sing it often. Teach it to your grandchildren. Sing it with your great-grandchildren. Put it in your heart.
You can’t be a lemon or a grape if you wanna be a fruit of the spirit!! Who wants to grow up to be a lemon anyway?
Work on that patience, Jan … your great-grandchildren need to see you model it! And your grand-dog needs you to exercise that gentleness and kindness, too. Ain’t always easy.
How about you?
My great-grandson, Xander, needs my love and joy, and I need patience, kindness and gentleness in abundance!
On my birthday, Ty (our son) and Bob went out fishing (not catching… just fishing) … and that required a lot of patience! I went along for the joy of the ride. It was cool on the water in the morning, but the afternoon warmed up.
That evening Ty and our daughter-in-law, Monika, Bob & I went in to Bozeman for dinner and dessert. We had a delightful time at a table out front of “Hooked Sushi” enjoying the music being played down the sidewalk a half a block, and the people and dogs walking by. Such fun!
Only in a college town would you find this kind of vibrancy. I love it!
We went after dinner to a very popular ice cream store … and had great fun with some college students who were in line ahead of us. Look at this cute kid! (Ya, I had fun teasing him …)
Bob, our new friend, Jan (me), Monika & Ty – Pretty sky, huh?
That’s our son, Ty, with me
We enjoyed the fun of chatting with our son & Moni while we waited.
Back home we found a wonderful bottle of wine waiting for us – a gift from our dear neighbors. Thank you, Charlie & Janet!
Birthday roses from my granddaughter – Thank you, Hope and Drew!
Flowers from our friends, Kathy & Ron- with a really cute card! Such fun! So nice of them!
Happy Birthday wishes from our #2 daughter, Laina… I loved hearing her sing to me – from Maryland to Montana <3
And our #1 daughter, DeAna, sang Happy Birthday and sent us a picture of her beautiful flowers at their restaurant in Switzerland. Lovely, huh?
Sunday afternoon Bob, Ty & Monika went kayaking/paddleboarding while TazE & I found a shady spot and relaxed.
TazE found some cool grass and took a nap until…
Eloise and her Grandma Susie came. With such good company, I put my book aside and TazE left the shade to get acquainted.
It was a smokey day in the Madison Valley… Lots of forest fires in the area – and the wind blows the smoke into our little piece of Paradise on Earth.
You can barely see the mountains outlined back there… not a typically beautiful day on Ennis Lake. Pray for the forest fires to be contained and the firefighters to be safe!
My friend, Caroline Feldman, took this photo at Ennis Lake last year with the swans clustered.
Here’s my photo taken from that same area at Ennis Lake last winter… See, you’re supposed to see the mountains!
Meantime, the paddleboarders returned – And we returned home to enjoy our last evening together. Ty & Monika left this morning…
Thank you, Dear Ones, for coming to help make my 82nd birthday so memorable and special.
Now TazE and I are stretched out, relaxing, and looking forward to an evening watching the Olympic swimmers.
What are you doing this Monday evening besides surfing the net?
It was a very Happy Birthday… Forever 39 at heart… Thanks to all the friends who sent greetings. I love you!
And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
When I ask God each day To help me live in the Fruits of the Spirit, I begin by thanking the Lord for The love, joy and peace that are mine, But then I ask Him to help me with The patience, kindness, and goodness Which do not always come naturally. I ask for help with the faithfulness Which brings blessings, and then Help with gentleness and self control.
Those nine fruits of the spirit are God’s gifts.
Because I have the love, joy and peace, I can give them away … and they return to me. When I give love, I exhibit God’s gift through My actions – and He multiplies it in me.
God’s goodness is exhibited in the gentle breeze; It is felt in the warmth of the sunshine and in the Heartfelt hugs of a friend who finally can come visit. It is evident in every bird’s song and every flower’s blooming.
God’s goodness is in my hospitality – my open door. God’s goodness is in my phone call or the note I send. God’s goodness prompts me to share the Good News And invite you to love God and trust His promises – as I do.
God’s goodness is in you! Embrace Goodness – And share it freely. It will return to you overflowing!
Join the “Spread Goodness” Challenge – Be the goodness you want to see in this world. What can you decide to do right now That will spread GOODNESS in your path?
As Nike says, “Just do it!”
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today. See ya tomorrow (God willing).
I climb the stairs each day, Then I turn on the light. Sometimes it’s still dark out. I rock ’til it gets bright.
Sipping my cup o’ coffee, Rocking as I pray, I meditate and read His Word As I welcome each new day.
I can rock away troubles; I can sit here and be still. I can listen to the Spirit, And discern the Father’s Will.
I can rock in my wicker chair Until my head and heart are clear. I can feel the Lord’s presence And thank God He’s ever near.
And when my rocking’s over I thank Jesus for his time, And slowly I descend the stairs (It’s my 12-step program climb).
Climb down to face the world. Climb down to start my day. Use the Fruits of the Spirit In a thoughtful kind of way:
Thank You for the LOVE,
the JOY
and the PEACE that are mine.
Help me, Lord, with PATIENCE,
KINDNESS
GOODNESS
and FAITHFULNESS (which brings blessings)
Can you read the word above the door? It says, “Blessings.”
8. Help me with GENTLENESS, 9. and SELF-CONTROL.
10. Help me live HUMBLY with an ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE 11. and a response of GENEROSITY, FORGIVENESS, 12. OBEDIENCE and INTEGRITY.
IN JESUS NAME, AMEN! And now I am at the bottom of the stairs where these words greet me across from the front door – “The Greatest of These is Love” – and these angels smile at me on the wall beneath the stairs:
A gift from Norbert and Elke Schaller. I say a prayer each day for them, too – They and their daughters, Simone & Caroline.
I rock! And my day will rock, too Because I have taken time to pray. I rock! And you will rock, too Because I pray for you, too, each day.
This is page one of my prayer list.
On the back side of this page Is a list of each WordPress friend. I ask the Lord to guard you. Rock on! Accept the love I send.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek. Have a love-filled day! See ya tomorrow.
Meantime, enjoy this song that was a hit in 1955 (I was a sophomore in high school… great memories of rockin’ school dances!!)
Sanctuary time Starts with prayer and devotions Up the down staircase
Jesus prays with me Angels surround me up here Dark changes to light
Look out the window The mountains can’t hide the Son Where I am He is
12 Step Program
On my way down the up staircase, after an hour that begins my day with the JOY of God’s Holy Spirit guiding my thoughts and helping me plan my actions for the day ahead, I recite my own “12 Step Program.”
Thank You for the LOVE,
JOY,
and PEACE that are mine.
Help me with PATIENCE,
KINDNESS,
GOODNESS,
FAITHFULNESS which brings blessings,
GENTLENESS, and
SELF-CONTROL.
Help me live HUMBLY with an attitude of GRATITUDE
and a response of GENEROSITY, FORGIVENESS, OBEDIENCE, and INTEGRITY.
In Jesus name I Pray AMEN
And on that AMEN, I am on the floor of my foyer, over which the sanctuary waits for tomorrow where I have my Bibles, Daily Guideposts, Thankfulness Journal, inspirational books, and a collection of crosses and angels.
Bob just came up the stairs, so we will have some quiet time together. Come join me!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek. God bless you! Have a PEACEful Thursday. See ya later.
Does temptation lift Its ugly head around you? Cookies and parties?
Do you look at fun As life’s diversion from Christ? That’s not His intent!
Christianity Is built sure on nothing less Than Christ’s love and joy
He intends for us To experience His FUN In the Spirit’s fruit:
Galatians 5:22-23
“When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us, love, JOY, peace. patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.
Yesterday I went To a FUN cookie exchange Temptation abounds!
In his book, Daily Inspirations for the Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren wrote, “God uses the opposite situation of each fruit to allow us a choice. Integrity is built by defeating the temptation…”
Sermon Notes
– from a message by Rev. Jean M Johnson based on Luke 17:5-10
If the disciples of Christ felt clueless,
How can I know anything for sure?
If they lived with the King of Peace,
Why weren’t their thoughts clear and pure?
They lived and rubbed elbows with
Our Lord, the Christ, Savior on earth.
They were with Him, hearing His parables,
Watching His miracles; some knew Him from birth.
Yet, they asked Christ to increase their faith.
Maybe it wasn’t a request to increase their hearts.
Maybe they were asking Him to increase their hands –
Give them the will to work and do their parts.
Because they had faith, the disciples needed
The humility for doing the mundane, daily grind.
Obeying and following Jesus means quietly doing
The duties of loving and serving with no thanks in mind.
Don’t ask for a great faith to do great things.
Be content with faith the size of a mustard seed
To do the work of serving God humbly,
Listening for the Holy Spirit to reveal every need.
Amen?
Hmmm… My prayer for today is one of gratitude for my God and for His Son, Jesus Christ, and for my faith. Yes, it is small as a mustard seed! But, is it sufficient to do God’s Will today? Oh Lord, increase my humility. Increase my ability to hear and see the needs around me. Increase the capacity of my hands and feet to be the hands and feet God uses for His small tasks here on earth. You have given me ears to hear, dear God, and eyes to see the needs around me. Increase my willingness to respond to Your nudges and help me do so with no expectation of recognition. Thank You for the fruits of the spirit alive and well in me: love, joy, and peace. I know faithfulness is a gift from You, also. Help me share those fruits and radiate the gifts freely today.
