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Posts tagged ‘heart’

A Merry Heart

“A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,
but by sorrow of the heart
the spirit is broken.”

Proverbs 15:13

Use your merry heart
To be like an umbrella
Protection in storms

At the end of day
Your sweet, merry countenance
Is a lovely sight

Your positive view
Shines through the dark clouds of gloom
Lifting others’ hearts
💕

You’ve an extra dose
Merriment is contagious
You infect others

David Jeremiah’s entry in today’s devotional
in Ever Faithful was titled “A Merry Heart.”
It gave me the incentive for today’s post:

“After Richard Norris was badly disfigured
by a gunshot wound in 1997,
he remained hidden at his parents’ home for years.
They covered the mirrors
to keep him from glimpsing his face.
But a team of doctors…
gave Richard a new countenance.”

The scripture selected, Proverbs 15:13, fit the story perfectly.
Richard’s spirit was broken.
His sorrow of the heart was understandable.
David Jeremiah went on to link
Richard’s sorrow to us all:

“While Richard’s story is unusually dramatic,
there’s a sense in which we all need a new countenance.
Study the faces of people you meet every day…”

Oh how I love those
Last two pictures of my friends
Study every face

David Jeremiah goes on to suggest,

“Steal a quick glance at your own face
as you pass a mirror or reflective window.
…Our emotions inexorably flash through
the forty-three muscles in our face
and we communicate our feelings
through our eyes, brows,
and the set of our mouths.”

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

“One smile can light up a room;
one frown can darken a day.

“The Bible tells us a merry heart
makes a cheerful countenance.
Rejoice in the Lord today
and let the joy of Jesus shine through.”

I dare you to listen to this and not smile!!
You know I play the accordion, right?
Well this is a concertina… buttons on both sides.
Aren’t these kids adorable?

Open up you Merry Heart!
Mine is open for you!!

Love ya,
JanBeek

Open heart + Open hands = Merry, Cheerful Countenance

A Humble Heart

My blogging friend, Donna, The Fathers Feet, posted this song today. I am going to sing it all day long. Listen, be inspired, and sing with me!

Give me a humble heart! Make me pure and true… Make me more like You!

🙏🏽❤️👍🏽

Melt my pride away…

Have a Marvelous Monday!

Hugs,
JanBeek

SHARE JOY!

The joy that’s comin’
Is here if you’re hummin’
Git yer guitar and start strummin’
Yer smile’s quite becommin’

I found the beauty today
In weeds I saw along the way.
Many folks would probably say
Pull ’em out – or douse ’em with spray!

Joy is a part o’ yer make-up.
It’s inside ya ready to take up
Residence and cause a shake-up;
So smile and light yer face up!

And a joyful face
is good medicine fir others!

Just let yer heart glow
With the joy that ya know
Is inside; Let it show!
Let yer love flow.

Luke 8:16

A Lamp on a Stand

16 “No one lights a lamp
and hides it in a clay jar
or puts it under a bed.
Instead, they put it on a stand,
so that those who come in
can see the light.”

I let my light shine.
It’s part of my design.
Lips aren’t a straight line –
They should curve up real fine!

Smilin’ makes ya feel better;
So, my friends, be a trend setter!
Turn off sorrow; don’t be a fretter.
You look so much better when you SMILE!

Let yer joy be real clear.
Share it with those you hold dear.
Give it to those far and near
Who need your brand of cheer.

Picture it radiating
And wiping out all hating.
Picture it pulsating
And erasing what’s frustrating.

Yup, this bears repeating:

Joy is a part o’ your make-up.
It’s inside ya ready to take up
Residence and cause a shake-up;
So smile and light yer face up!

Spread Joy!

How do you plan to do that today?
Just smile!!

See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Joyfully,
JanBeek

Bye for now!

Gratitude

I am grateful for your excellence!

I appreciate you.
Thanks for your prayers.
God heard.
God answered.
Bob & I are so grateful!

Our WordPress family is so great! Our family and friends have been so comforting during this last year while we went to a gajillion doctors and finally got the reason for Bob’s congestive heart failure diagnosed = TTR Amyloidosis. Oh my! Never heard of it!

We are grateful for the expertise of the Bozeman, MT hematologist who suspected the problem after ruling out the need for a pacemaker or a stent. Neither of those was the problem.

Dr. Hool had encountered two other patients in her career with Amyloidosis. There are two types. One is AL. It is cancer of the bone marrow. Chemo is the only treatment and the life-expectancy is short.

The other type of Amyloidosis is TTR. It manifests itself as a collection of extra protein (it can happen in any of your organs – liver, kidney, brain, etc.). Usually it attacks the weakest of your organs. In Bob’s case it was TTR (thank God – not the cancerous type) and the protein collected in the heart muscle. It stiffened it, causing the heart to function insufficiently.

We are grateful for the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and for Dr. Borgeson there who positively identified the TTR variety and prescribed a medicine to (hopefully) fix the problem.

We are grateful to Pfizer for developing the medication and approving Bob’s application for assistance to afford it. It’s outrageously expensive! So, thanks to Pfizer, the medication is on its way. And we are so grateful to all who prayed for this outcome. Thank you! And thank God!

Live in Gratitude! It’s a great state to be in!

Living with an attitude of gratitude
Can definitely change your life!
Focusing on your blessings
Instead of your challenges
Turns frowns upsidedown.
Try it!

That’s my great-granddaughter, Sienna.
I dare you to look at her and not smile!

So how does an attitude of gratitude change your life?

What does the Bible say about that attitude of gratitude?

22 Corinthians 9:11

you will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your 
generosity will result in thanksgiving to god
2 corinthians 9 11

“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

Thank You, God. Thank you, dear friends. We are, indeed, feeling enriched in every way.

Hugs to you, my WP friends … let me know if I can be in prayer for you about something specific, will you?

I have a couple of specific prayer requests:
1) Please add my friend, Alex, to your prayer list. He’s in surgery to have a malignant tumor removed from his lung. God, bee 🐝 with him! 🙏🏽❤️
2) Please pray that the medication Bob needs is here (in the mail) soon – and pray that it does what it is designed to do – to help break up the protein that already is damaging Bob’s heart muscle – and that it helps to keep further protein deposits from forming.

Thank you from Bob and me –
JanBeek

See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Hugs!

Embrace Authenticity

Authenticity:
Being who you’re meant to be –
It’s transparency.

It is no holds barred.
It’s vulnerability.
Open up your heart!

It is being seen –
Being appreciated –
Appreciating.

Appreciate those
Who are showing great courage
By being open.

Authenticity
Should always be rewarded
There’s no place for hate!

My heart is breaking.
The Asian community
Is hurting today.

Eight nonsense killings –
Six of those killed were Asian.
Questioning motive?

Coincidental?
I have trouble believing
It’s accidental.

Photo by Al-Azik Maulana Koentjoro on Pexels.com

Eradicate hate!
Hate has no place in our hearts.
Just love each other!

Anti-Asian words
Must come out of ignorance.
Don’t “they” know we’re ONE?

We’re all God’s children…
Created in His image.
Authentically His!

Let your voice be heard.
Speak with authenticity:
Speak loudly with LOVE!

What can each of us do to help eradicate hate?
What can we do to allow everyone to enjoy authentic freedom?
What can we do to demonstrate our oneness?
Embrace Authenticity!

Photo by Tuu1ea5n Kiu1ec7t Jr. on Pexels.com

Appreciate Beauty!

Photo by mentatdgt on Pexels.com

Honor the intelligence and love of all God’s people.

Be authentically proud of all who step up to serve.


Bee Authentically YOU –
You were made to be YOU… and it was no accident!
God Bless You!

A Heart to Comply

Time for the weekly sermon notes.
We had ZOOM church this morning with the
Madison Valley Presbyterian Church
in Ennis, Montana – sermon preached by
Rev. Steve Hundley

As you know, if you’ve followed my blog
for a couple of weeks or more,
I listen intently to the pastor’s message
and I take notes in poetry,
tying to capture the essence of the message.
Here is today’s attempt:

Steve titled it, “Vocational Temptation”
I re-titled it “A Heart to Comply”
Read on and you’ll see why.

“My brother made me do it!”
That’s my excuse and I’m stickin’ to it!
We rolled tires down a quarter mile hill
I was dared to hit a cow. Could I do it?

Yup, the tire hit the cow.
The ow hit the ground with a thud.
Oh my! The cow landed hard –
Topped over and bam! Hit the mud!

I got punished big time for it.
I was told not to hurt God’s life.
Yet later, I saw my dad kill a cow –
And heck! He didn’t think twice!

There must be differet standards
For different kinds of behavior.
Temptations effect each differently.
Temptations weren’t new to our Savior.

He can identify with the Christian
Who goes to the club to play golf
Instead of going to church that day –
And excuses himself with a cough.

It’s not hard to give in
To the temptations around us.
When we do, don’tcha know
God doesn’t punish or ground us.

God understands we’re mortals
Who are prone sometimes to neglect
The things we know we ought to do.
He gives us time to repent and reflect.

Jesus went from being told by a voice
That God is proud of Him, God’s Son,
To being a man in the wilderness
Tempted by the devil – but God won!

For 40 days and 40 nights the devil
Tempted Jesus to give in to him.
But angels were there, and scripture, too.
Jesus didn’t let God’s light grow dim.

The light of God shone brightly
As Jesus resisted the devil’s invitation
To become more than He already was –
To rule the whole universe and all creation.

The Lord is asking us today
To resist the temptation to forego
His Word and do something wrong.
Instead, live in God’s Love – Let His light show.

Lord, let my life be consecrated
To You, my Savior, and may I
Use the gifts You’ve given me
With gratitude … and a Heart to Comply!

Amen.

Thanks for visiting JanBeek
Have a super rest of your Sunday.
Hugs to you!

Embrace Connections

https://smarturl.it/ThanksForTheDance

Reach out to others
Make meaningful connections
Share your thoughtfulness

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Did you click the link?
The link was “Thanks for the Dance”
From Leonard Cohen.

If you didn’t hear –
Didn’t see the video,
Go up and do it!

Photo by Kat Jayne on Pexels.com

EMBRACE CONNECTIONS
Look into another’s heart
See the hidden pain

Learn to disagree
Learn to listen with your heart
Show your compassion

Connections can save
The loneliest from despair
Suicide is real

Express your concern
Let your compassion embrace
Those in depression

Depression is real
Too often it is hidden
Inside solitude

Leonard Cohen’s poem
Hit me right between the eyes
Took me to my niece

‘Twas nineteen years old
When her life appeared hopeless
Jumped Golden Gate Bridge

Photo by Mohamed Almari on Pexels.com

‘Twas two weeks later
When her decomposed body
Washed its way ashore

Only dental charts
Helped to identify her
Memories are raw

Never imagined
Her pain was so very deep
Didn’t see the signs

So much is known now
Nearly forty years ago
We just weren’t aware

Today it’s rampant
Especially Montana
Third in the nation

Growing suicides
It’s not a good statistic
Something must be done


These are images from Leonard Cohen’s impactful video. (Haven’t watched it yet? Go back up to that link. Take five minutes and then come on back.) The poetry and his raspy, musical voice will touch your heart. You’ll carry it with you.

You’ll ask yourself, “What Happens to the Heart?” and you will want to be more aware, more compassionate, more helpful. You’ll look in your friend’s eyes. You’ll study your loved one’s face. You’ll ask questions. You’ll care. And you’ll want to know WHAT CAN I DO? When you see sadness, despair, loneliness, you’ll want to help. How??

There are visible
Ways we can show how we care
Check out resources

Reach out to others
Make meaningful connections
Share your thoughtfulness


Embrace Connections
They can make the difference
YOU are important!

Thanks for dropping by JanBeek

Sending you love and hugs
Stay Connected!!
See ya tomorrow


Embrace Light

Can’t bring lasting light
If the light is not in you
External light fades

The light that sustains
Is internal light from God
Your face reflects it

It shines from your soul
Whose batteries are from God
They never expire

Matthew 5:16
“In the same way,
let your light shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Psalm 119:105

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

Photo by Negative Space on Pexels.com

Freely share your light
With all those who are near you
Let it shine brightly

May your light inspire
Those who need to know your Source
Let your light shed peace

You can let the Light
Shine through your soul to others
You have that Light, too

As a Child of God
His peace infiltrates your soul
Let that peace escape

Embrace the Light!

My 1962 kindergartener, Ty Stiles, after whom I named my first child, died yesterday. I told you about him in a previous post: https://janbeek.blog/2021/01/09/embrace-hope/ on January 9th.

We have been praying for Ty. He had stage 4 liver cancer that metastasized. He was home on Hospice Care with his wife, Roxanne. Ty was a Child of God whose faith was strong. He told Roxanne that he wanted to – and was ready to – go to Heaven.

In my “Embrace Blueness” post 3 days ago, I shared how a broken heart resembles angel wings… and I wrote, “Ty is ready to let go pain. God is asking me to let go my blueness. Release the melancholy that blue sometimes represents, and instead, embrace the “delicate hues of sapphire, turquoise, and indigo” – and the promise of the vast blueness of Heaven where “Healing power pulses” and God is ready to transform the broken heart into angel wings.”

Photo by Andreas Wohlfahrt on Pexels.com

My faith informs me that
Ty has seen a great light.
He is in heaven…
and one day I will see
“My Favorite Student” again.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

May light shine from you
As easily as birds’ songs
Cheering all near you

Thanks for visiting.
I pray you feel the warmth
of that LIGHT within you.

Let it shine!!!
Let it sing of God’s love in you.
See ya tomorrow.
Hugs, JanBeek

Embrace Patience

An Elfchen is an Elevensie …
A poetic form that has 11 words,
1+2+3+4+1 = 11

It’s fun. Try it!

Open
Your petals
To fully bloom
Takes time; Embrace patience
Love

We all have it

Love
Flows out
And creates beauty
From what was dormant
Shine!

Photo by Ekaterina Bolovtsova on Pexels.com

Slow
And steady
Wins the race
Take each step faithfully
Patience

I love you!

Disagreements
Become larger
When they smoulder
Bring them to light
Patiently

Hostility
Becomes Hatred
When we’re misunderstood
Explore ideas with respect
Honor

Exercise compassion with
love
consideration
and
respect

Embrace Patience

Let’s just love one another, okay?
See ya tomorrow.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
Bee well!!

Open Your Hands

My hands are open

Open your hands
Empty them of needless 2020 stuff
Open your hands
Today’s treasures will be enough

Enough to satisfy
Your every need today
Enough to bless you
And send you on your way

Springtime in the Rockies

Open your heart
To the blessings of today
And be ready for the new ones
That will surely come your way

Sit quietly and contemplate

Open your mind
To the endless possibilities
That this new year holds
And prepare for the unexpected

Fishing near the Tetons

Open your eyes
To the wonders of God’s creation
Open your soul
To appreciate each situation

Appreciate the old
(Kevinleaguephoto)

Open your mind
To see the beauty in the old
Even the broken and decrepit
Has beauty to unfold

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Open your imagination
To find the beauty of the heart
Look into the gentle eyes
And let your life be a part

Of the world of need around you
Of the hurting and the lost
Open your hands
Give love; don’t count the cost!

Photo by Trung Nguyen on Pexels.com

Open your hand
To take another’s.


Take my hand, Lord…
Lest I fall…
(Be sure to take time if you can
to enjoy the YouTube version
of that lovely song below)
Sing along!

Have a Wonderful 1st day of 2021, my friends.
Thank you for visiting JanBeek.
Bee well!
I’ll see you tomorrow.

Be encouraged by your faith
And the promises of God
for a better tomorrow!

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