It is a privilege
To breathe and to be alive,
To think and to love.
It is a privilege
To count and to be counted
Among your loved ones.
It is a privilege
To stay in contact often
With distant family.
Thank God for the web
And the way we can connect
Across many miles.
You are in my heart.
You are in my daily thoughts.
As you rise, feel it!
.
Have a blessed day.
Stay well – take care of yourself –
See you tomorrow.
Love,
JanBeek
I have heard (and often repeated) the phrase, “Fear is the opposite of Faith.“
Are wearing a mask, washing your hands often/thoroughly, and practicing social distancing acts of fear?
Is opening your home or your church, your store or your restaurant with no extra precautions due to COVID-19 an act of faith?
Is being too cautious an act of fear? (What does “too cautious” look like?)
Was shutting down our church at the height of the virus pandemic being too cautious? Was it contradictory to our faith?
Many questions of fear or faith were posed during our sermon today by Rev. Steve Hundley. I’ve listed ten of them below. We met as a congregation in the church building for the first time in twelve weeks. We’ve been ZOOM meeting since this pandemic was announced in the USA in mid-March.
To keep people safe, every other row of pews was ribboned off and people sat at least six feet apart in the pews.
During the hymns, Fran played a verse on the piano while the congregation either listened, read the words silently in the hymnals, or hummed along. For now, no singing out loud. That was hard for those of us who love to sing.
But the emissions from singing travel farther than those of just talking … some even further than coughing or sneezing. So, we were cautious.
Jim Forsberg provided special music during the service. Playing his guitar and singing… one of the numbers he sang was an old time favorite, “Jesus Loves the Little Children.” The lyrics go on to say, “all the children of the world… red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight; Jesus loves the little children of the world.” So pertinent in light today’s issues of racial inequality.
In the photo above, Jim and his wife, Jo, are chatting with Fran about the music – and I am sure commenting on how good it is to see one another again.
This mom had her hands full with this adorable, very active little guy. Murray keeps us all smiling with his exuberant energy. I love seeing the little ones in our worship service. Pastor Steve quoted a doctor at our Madison Valley Medical Center who said masks on children can be more bothersome and dangerous than no mask at all because children have a tendency to touch their face more when wearing one.
Here is Murray’s dad and little sister:
Rev. Steve Hundley posed some very thought-provoking questions in his sermon today. He didn’t really give us answers… just left the questions for us to ponder:
Fellowship in the foyer after church found people reconnecting, but remaining cautious. Are we maintaining our distance?
It may be easier for us in Montana to try and stay six feet apart, but you will notice in the pictures that even here, we don’t always adhere to that social distancing. It’s difficult! It’s neither foolishness nor fearlessness, it’s just hard!
How are you doing with this business of staying apart? What did you do this Sunday? Did your church meet physically again? If not, how did you worship our God today? Did you approach Him with your most difficult questions?
I hope you are healthy, happy, and safe.
I’ve gotcha in prayer, my friend.
See ya tomorrow.
Love, JanBeek
World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated on 5 June every year, and is the United Nations‘ principal vehicle for encouraging awareness and action for the protection of the environment. First held in 1972, it has been a flagship campaign for raising awareness on environmental issues emerging from marine pollution, human overpopulation, and global warming, to sustainable consumption and wildlife crime. World Environment Day has grown to become a global platform for public outreach, with participation from over 143 countries annually. Each year, WED has provided a new theme that major corporations, NGOs, communities, governments and all celebrities worldwide adopt to advocate environmental causes.[1][2]
What are we doing to be sure the earth is healthy?
With the world-wide pandemic, fish are surviving in the waters of Italy again. Skies are clear enough in the cities of China that the residents can once again see the sun.
COVID-19 shut down factories and so air and water pollution cleared. Is this only a temporary improvement of our environment with a temporary upheaval of jobs and production?
Can we restore people’s jobs and health and the increase of production while we continue to improve the health of our planet?
That’s what World Environment Day is all about.
Check it out here: World Environment Day 2020: https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/speech/it-time-nature-world-environment-day-2020
One World – One People – One day at a time –
Let’s make a difference!
What can YOU do?
See ya tomorrow.
JanBeek
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light at the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the savior,
And life more abundant and free…
Dear Lord,
Go to this world that is dying.
Come to us who are sad and sighing.
Come to us who are weary and worried.
Just calm all of us who are hurried.
We come as we are to your alter,
Knowing without You, we falter.
Take what is broken and mend it.
Take was is wounded. heal and tend it.
Hold those who are desperate; rescue us.
Fill those who are empty; You treasure us.
We know we are guilty, so pardon us.
Help us to grow love as You garden us.
Help us grow the fruit of compassion.
Where you find hate, please refashion.
Take what you see and improve us,
Let your Holy Spirit truly move us.
Move us to love unity and justice.
Don’t let divisions and rhetoric bust us.
Make us strong, wise and actively trying
To restore peace to earth. We are crying.
Crying for healing and restoration.
Crying for prejudice’s elimination.
Crying for every adult and child
To adopt Christ’s ways, which are mild.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
My buddy, Doris, who send me these is a friend who graduated from high school with me in Turlock, CA back in 1957!
We go back to the Stone Age together!
She lives in Texas part of the year.
These billboards came from a place in Austin, TX called “El Arroyo.”
She said that translates to “The Ditch.”
Do you know Spanish? Is she right??
Go ahead and laugh, my friends. I am told it’s good for what ails ya.
By the way, what’s ailin’ ya?? Read on… I’ll share what ails me. (Ya, I know you may not want to know, but I’ll share anyway!)
Do you have a COVID-19 funny bone you can share with me? I already laughed at these. I need a new one.
I have a hernia that may need removing. That’s not as bad as a kidney stone! But that’s what ails me. Day before yesterday I had an ultrasound to be sure it’s JUST a hernia. Yesterday I had a CAT scan to see that lump more clearly. Today the doc called to schedule an appointment with a doctor who will interpret all these tests. He’s not available til June. Oh well… it’s probably nothing… but I pass this along to you asking for your prayers and a laugh. OKAY?
Pass a laugh along, will ya??
And have a good, restful night.
I‘ll see ya tomorrow.
Virtual Hugs,
JanBeek
OKAY, I’m outta here for tonight.
Have a good sleep!
Walking and talking
Are two wonderful pastimes
Love the connections
Whether clouds or clear
Getting out is good for you
Exercise today!
When in close quarters
Don’t forget to wear a mask
Stay safe and healthy!
See ya later!
Rev. Steve Hundley
delivered the prayers and
inspirational message below
by way of ZOOM to a “screenfull”
of appreciative worshipers this morning.
Fran McNeill
selected the songs.
I am pleased to share
parts of this service with you today.
Come, let us worship!
Call to Worship: Psalm 116: 12-13
God invites us into His healing presence with these words: “I am the Lord, who heals you.”
Diseased, depressed, dysfunctional, defeated, we come hungering for health that only God can provide.
God calls us to bring open eyes, hearing ears, and tender hearts turned towards Him, the Great Physician.
We worship our God with faith and expectation.
Come and sing along!
Opening Prayer
O God, our Rock, our refuge, our resting place, we come to You out of another week of mostly sheltering in place. We come out of our desire to find some meaning in this strange, unusual, and frightening time. We come out of our desire to meet You and know You as the center of our being. We gather in spirit and in the security of Your love. Fill our hearts and prepare us for service and for the living of these days. Amen.
Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray – Bible Hubbiblehub.com › isaiah
“We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
When we were teenagers, my brother bought an old wooden canoe with the intent of restoring it. Ridge spent one entire summer re-conditioning it. He stripped the wooden ribs and re-varnished the interior. He “re-fiberglassed” the outside and even painted it to resemble an Indian birch bark canoe.
For its maiden voyage we decided to take it out on the James River for a day of fishing. After what turned out to be a banner day of catching a passel of smallmouth bass and sun perch, we reached the designated take-out point. Pulling the front of the canoe up on the shore, we jumped on my brother’s motorcycle that we had left there and headed back up river to retrieve the pickup truck.
When we drove back to get the canoe, it was nowhere to be found. Searching the river bank, we spotted it floating off downstream. Running along the bank and crashing through the underbrush, we were able to draw even with it. Grabbing the longest tree branch we could find, we strained to reach out to it, but with every attempt, it moved further out into the main current of the river, gaining speed as it drifted away.
Then came the moment of truth! It was clear that one of us would have to strip down and swim after the canoe. Looking at each other, we knew who it would be. HEY, IT WAS NOT MY CANOE! Don’t look at me like that! If I had offered to strip down and drive into the icy water to recue “his” canoe, he would not have learned anything about the responsibility of ownership. I did, however, cheer him on as he dove into the frigid water.
There is no greater blessing in life than to have someone who is willing to strip down and dive into the dark and icy waters of this world; particularly when what is disappearing down the river happens to be us. especially during this life-altering virus outbreak. Yes, we belong to Jesus, who has redeemed us with His life on the cross. Like my brother who was willing to dive into the icy waters to save his canoe, Jesus said: “I am the Good Shepherd, and I lay down my life for my sheep.”
SONG: Shepherd Me O God Sm 2058
Prayer for Illumination:
Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of Your Holy Spirit, that we may hear Your Word with joy. Amen.
Pastoral Prayer:
O Lord, our Shepherd, who leads us by still waters and into green pastures, we thank You for the times in our lives when life is strong, good, affirming and everything happens for the best. Teach us to remember, though, that You are with us at all times, even in the midst of this ongoing pandemic when the waters are not still and the pastures are not green, when our days are fraught with danger and difficulty and we eat our bread in the presence of a silent killer called COVID 19.
Remind us that Your loving kindness surpasses even this and Your faithfulness is to all generations. Help us to recall Your undying love for us in these days of adversity and disappointment, so that even this misfortune may but strengthen our sense of Your presence and encourage us in faith.
Though we are still sheltering in place, O Lord, we continue to pray for each other. Hear our individual prayers as we lift up to You all those we love who need your comfort and strength and healing today.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Go now – and bee the heart, ears, and hands of love.
Thanks for joining us in worship today.
God bless you!
See ya tomorrow.
{{{{HUGS}}}}
JanBeek
Spring’s around the bend
It just turned the long corner
Yes, hooray, it’s here!
Some seek the ocean
Some will stay inside the house
Others will garden
Some head to kitchen
Eating to oblivion
Where is it you go?
Isolation can
Distort our sense of wellness.
Make yourself a list!
Blossom where you are.
Let spring fill your heart and soul.
Spread sweetness today!
Bee in someone’s thoughts.
Put someone into your prayers,
And watch flowers bloom!
I have a friend, Lisa Glines, who sends me wonderful photos of her surroundings.
And now – go outside
And pick some flowers to give
To a lonely friend
And if you can’t go
Be like Derrick and send them
Over World-wide Web!
Phyllis can’t go out
And I can’t go and see her
So I’ll send her hugs
What will you do to “Just Blossom” today?
Have a Terrific Tuesday.
Just Blossom!!
See ya later.
Have you caught enough?
Not everyone in this world
Has caught enough fish.
Many without jobs
In this COVID-19 world
Are short of supplies.
Not every pantry
Is filled to overflowing.
Some have no pantry.
So what must we do?
Sit back and enjoy our life?
No, we’re called to share!
There is enough food
On this, our beautiful earth,
To provide for all.
The secret is: SHARE!
Just count your many blessings;
Reach out to others.
You will discover
The more you give, the more you
Have to give. That’s TRUTH!
Accumulation as a definition of success fails to realize that if you store up treasures on earth in excess of what you need, you may discover they bury you… and you really can’t access it all, anyway. How is that bunny gonna get that carrot outta the ground, huh?
On the other hand, if you’re all show and no growth, you won’t have enough to feed yourself, let alone give any away!
“All show” is that fancy car, extra large TV, more shoes and purses or wallets or clothes than you need, elaborate houses, etc. You get the picture. Spend it all on the “things that pass away” – and you will be one lonely fisherman!
It was the little things you did
The sacrifices that you made
The small donations from your little
The generosity from your abundance
That made such a difference
In the lives of others
Generosity is the key
To a richer, fuller life
Not the number of your barns
Filled to overflowing,
But the love you freely gave
From the depths of a grateful heart
I wish – Bob Perks
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life
appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final goodbye.
I wish you enough gratitude to help you live with joy.
I wish you enough generosity to help you give generously.
I wish you enough health to give you strength to serve.
I wish you enough love to give it all away.
Whatever you send into the lives of others,
comes back in to your own.
But, do not give for what you can get,
give because you have been richly blessed.
I’m praying for you –
Ya just gotta get better.
Can’t live without you!
With COVID-19,
Too many lives are now lost –
Many in peril.
Be patient, my friends.
Please don’t open up too soon.
Keep yourself healthy.
Losing a dear one
To this invisible beast:
Unfathomable!
Is there someone out there who needs our prayers?
Pass this song along to them – – –
“Soon You’ll Get Better” –
Put their name in the comments below
and I will add their name to my prayer list.
I believe in the Power of Prayer.
We all need reassuring words – especially now.
Have faith in what will be.
#Hugs4Happiness
Thanks for visiting.
See ya tomorrow.
Hugs to You !!
Inspire to Love
Let the SonShine!
You inspire me to respond
Learning to Live; Living to Learn; Learning to Love; Living in Love
