Loving One Another

Posts tagged ‘inspiration’

Footprints in Your Heart


True Friends - footptints

 

A friend sent this card
with “Your friendship means the world to me”
written on the inside.

 

She wrote,
“I can feel your footprints
in my heart everyday.
Do you mind is I
walk all over your heart, too?”

view of sand dunes

Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com

Those footprints are not just ON my heart,
they are IN my heart.
I feel her love deeply.
It keeps me buoyed on days
when I might otherwise be feeling down.

 

I subscribe to “Someone Cares” cards from Guideposts.  I love these cards because they always include a pertinent scripture reference, an uplifting message, and a pertinent story on the back of each.

This last mailing of Guideposts’ cards had the message
I used in my last post,
“Whenever we’re together,
and even when we’re not,
warm and caring thoughts of you
make me smile a lot.”

Guideposts “Someone Cares” cards are available
at shopguideposts.org/someone-cares-greetings.
I highly recommend them.
They are unique and special.
When I open the package of 12 every 6 weeks or so,
the cards call out the names of friends
for whom I feel that card would be most appropriate.

The back of this particular card
had a wonderful story on it
– written by Lisa Bogart:

“When my best friend came to New York to visit me, I wanted to pack all the sights, food, and fun I could into our four days together.

On the first morning, we took a 10:00 train into Manhattan. We walked crosstown, hopped on the subway, and headed uptown to the Cloisters… then to the Metropolitan Museum of Art… farther downtown to my favorite barbecue place… window-shopped and gawked at the towering buildings. Finally, we took a train home at 10:30 that night.

My friend was pooped and asked if we could stay closer to home the next day. When she came down for breakfast, she had her knitting with her. She suggested we sit on the patio and knit for awhile. I put on a pot of tea, and we spent the morning catching up and renewing our friendship.

We went on a few more adventures before she left, but it was that quiet time together that I remember best. It makes me smile and feel close to her even when we’re miles apart.”

Do you have a special friend who has left footprints in your heart? Why not send a card to them today letting them know you are thinking of them in a special way? Sending snail-mail cards does not have to be a “lost art.” Keep it alive with your footprints today!

Thinking of you

I love you, dear WordPress friends.
You leave your footprints in my heart
each time you visit and leave a note.
God bless you!

Jan sends cheers!

See ya tomorrow.

Category:

friendship, happiness, Love, mental health, Sharing, writing

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Shine Your Light!


In today’s sermon,
Elaine told a story of
A lighthouse keeper:

On a stormy night,
He climbed the rocks to the light;
Turned it on and fell.

He fell and he died
That night on the rocky hill
After doing his job.

A sailor that night
Saved his passengers and crew
Because of the light.

The lightkeeper died
So that others might be saved
From falls in darkness.

Is your light shining in the dark?

Elaine Hundley, who delivered the message in church today reminded us that, like this lighthouse keeper, Jesus died that we might live. He gave His life for us. Likewise, we are reminded to share our lives – give what we have – to brighten the lives of others.

Elaine read from Luke 12:13-21,
and she reminded us –
“All we have is on loan to us
From the Lord, the Almighty.
If we have extra, we are told
To give it away; don’t hold tightly.“

These are eleven of the WordPress bloggers
who provide sunshine in my life –
They share the writing talents they have been given;
They are my choices
for the Sunshine Blogger Award :

  1. Cristian Mihai, The Art of Blogging
  2. derrickjknight
  3. lilie215, Tea and Toast with Kindness
  4. Sandra, Into the Light Adventures
  5. MeRaw, The Journey of My Left Foot (whilst remembering my son)
  6. Claudia, Humoring the Goddess
  7. Dr. Perry, Dr. Eric Perry, PhD
  8. Betul Erbasi – To Write or not to Write and What to Write
  9. Marts, for much deliberation
  10. Ann Koplow, The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally
  11. ELLE, elleguyence
Here’s my Sunshine Award for you!
Congratulations for being such a great blogger!
You shine your light on my life each time you post!

Dear Readers, you will enjoy checking out the blogs listed above. They are always inspiring. If any of these people wish to accept the award (Big Sky Buckeye already did – he sent this to me) and put it on their blog site, check back to see the rules posted yesterday on JanBeek.

Among the rules, I was asked to answer 11 questions and then create 11 questions for my Sunshine Award recipients to answer. Here are my questions:

  1. When did you start blogging?
  2. Why did you start blogging?
  3. How often do you generally blog?
  4. What’s the main topic of your blog (your “niche”)?
  5. Is there a particular time of day when you generally blog? If so, when and why?
  6. Who is your most faithful follower?
  7. Do you have a tendency to post with that person in mind? Or do you have a different technique for personalizing your message?
  8. Of all your posts, which one would you save if all were lost except one?
  9. What’s one piece of advice you can pass on to beginning bloggers?
  10. Where do you get most of your ideas?
  11. If you could improve one thing about WordPress, what would it be?
Thanks for being a light in my day!

See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Awards, Bible Lessons, blogging, Giving, God, Haiku, Love, Poetry, Sharing, writing

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September Take-Aways


Daily Guideposts 2019

Good-bye September! You’ve been a very good month – Messages each day.

My take-aways were Great daily inspirations – Always carry them! Lean on God When glancing to the right, You see numbers 1-15, Next page to 30.

Every day I write The take-away to carry In heart to guide me.

It provides a list That inspires me to live Thankful for blessings.

Lord, Please strip me of me Until nothing remains but YOU!

angel-in-snowy-window.jpg

These are my daily prayers. It was an inspirational September.

Daily Guideposts take-aways for each day of September  – Carry these with you:

  1. Thank God for my family and friends
  2. God bless all our laborers
  3. Thank God for our “hood”
  4. God is Always with me
  5. Stay Connected in Love
  6. Rely on God’s Strength
  7. Walk in Step with Jesus
  8. Listen to God’s Wisdom
  9. Lord, Increase my Insight
  10. Trust God with my Dreams
  11. Never Forget 9-11
  12. He walks with Me
  13. Trust Him
  14. Give Love Unconditionally
  15. Jesus Forgives “Missteaks”
  16. Be Consistent; and Treasure People
  17. Use Your Gifts to Praise God
  18. Live in the Hope of the Lord
  19. Focus on God’s Grace
  20. A Hug Includes Letting Go
  21. Bless my Former Students (Thank You, Lord, for giving me chances to positively influence others)
  22. Lift my Hands, Heart & Voice to Praise God
  23. I Am at Home in my Soul with God
  24. Make Wise Choices
  25. Lord, Hear my Prayers
  26. Serve with Compassion
  27. Pray for a Cancer Cure
  28. Thank God for His Gift of Peace
  29. Take Courage in All Circumstances
  30. Lean on God Always
Many of these daily themes in Daily Guideposts were the inspirations for my daily blogs. The end of the “Daily Devotions for Living by Faith” called These Days features three coloring pages. I will write about them tomorrow …  telling about the way coloring can relieve stress.

As September ends and I send this book off to my grandson, I thank God for the people who write these daily messages – and for the way in which they inspire my life. I hope they inspire yours today, too. Thank you for sharing! God bless you!

angels & crosses - snowy roofSee ya tomorrow

 

Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, blogging, Faith, God, Gratitude, Haiku, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, peace, Poetry, prayer, truth

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Live to Give


Good Friday Morning to you!

Each morning

I start my day up here

in my sanctuary

at the top of

our circlular staircase.

Come and join me today!

 

Here we sit

in the presence of the Holy Spirit,

who fills our hearts.

It’s a peaceful place.

I read, pray, meditate, and listen.

God’s amazing grace fills our souls.

.

“These Days” daily devotional

After reading the scripture

and the reflections on it,

by Michael Morgan of Atlanta, Georgia,

I added a few words boldly to the page.

 

These three words represent

my “take away” for today.

Yes, I want to “Live to Give.”

 

I hope that’s your take-away, too.

 

Thank you, Michael,

for the inspiration and the prayer

at the bottom of the page.

I, too, hope to “Live into [God’s] goodness.”

My heart beats with God’s love as its fuel. .

May you also “Live to Give” today – and always.

 

Have a Fabulous Friday! .

Come and join me again later

 

when I go to volunteer

 

at our Madison Valley Medical Center.

pexels-photo-887349-2

See ya later.

Category:

books, Faith, Giving, God, life, Living in Christ's Family, Love, peace, prayer, Serving One Another

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Bees and Honey


Bees and Honey

You all know I love honey,
And bees are dear to my heart.
How can we protect these pollinators?
Where do we even start?

Honey Jars - Michelle.jpg


.

Bee Thanks.jpg

We begin with our children
As we teach them the value of bees.
We show them how to protect
The insects around us – such as these.
.

We show them up close pictures
And let our fascination spread
To the next generation
As we substitute awe for dread.

Bee - carrying pollen.jpg

There’s so much we can learn from these
Social insects who do so much good.
Let’s open our minds and our wonder
To help others do what they should.
.
Enjoy God’s nectar, the honey,
And thank the producers, the bees.
Let’s do all we can to protect them…
There are no more important life form than these!

bee-die-all-die

It’s a message worth teaching
It’s a message worth preaching.
Do your part!

Thanks for visiting…
Have a great first week of Autumn.

68629167_2749014145121367_2409575475958513664_n

Love, JanBeek

See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Animals, food, health, learning, life, Life's Challenges, Love, nature, Poetry, truth

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Finding Strength


Finding Strength

  This morning I received an e-mail from a dear cousin. Her husband has esophageal cancer. The chemo and radiation treatments are making him feel tired, gaunt, and bored with the required liquid diet. Swallowing is painful. He’s lost 30 pounds. .  

In the midst of life’s struggles, we need strength, courage, and assurance. Where do we find it?

Joshua 1:5-9 “No one will be able stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you. Be strong and courageous… Be strong and very courageous… Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

In my morning devotional today

from In Touch Ministries,

this very scripture and topic were discussed.

 
 

Yes, obstacles are faith’s fertilizer!

As the devotional said,

“Obstacles are one way our faith can grow.”

    What obstacles are you facing today? They may not be as serious as cancer of the esophagus, but every challenge we face is an opportunity to lean on our faith and allow the obstacle to grow us. Use them as stepping stones. Know that God is with you. Be assured by that cross that hangs in my sanctuary and reminds me daily to remember what our Creator tells me: “Be Still and know that I AM God.” .  

My cousin’s husband is Jehovah’s Witness. I have sent him a couple of inspirational cards wishing him well and reminding him that I have him in my daily prayers.

 

My cousin told me in her e-mail today, “While he may not agree with all your theology… he most certainly believes in God and appreciates your prayers.”

.

I am reminded that God is soooo much bigger than religion. God is the Creator of us all. God loves and cares for us all. We may not practice our religious beliefs the same way, but our faith in God binds us together as one.

    As Christians, we say we are “One in Christ.” We believe in the Trinity – that God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are One. Who am I to say that those who say we are “One in God, our Creator” are wrong? God is Omnipotent. He sees into the heart of us all. When He promises, “I am with you,” he’s talking to you … each of you! .  

What obtacles are fertilizing YOUR faith today? Be still and know God is with you.

blur bracelet conceptual female

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Now, go in peace.

Believe

Let your obstacles become stepping stones.

See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, Family, God, health, Heartache, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Love, peace, prayer, Promises

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You Have the Power


You Have the Power

This post is dedicated to my #1 Grandson.
He recently graduated from college,
received his well-earned diploma,
and has a couple of part-time jobs,
equaling 100% employment.
It was not an easy road,
but he has tenacity…
He stuck with it.
He did it!

I am so proud of him!

 

z-Perks' Wisdom: Your Power.jpg

Happiness is living life true
In a way that allows you
To be all God made you to be
And doing it on a path of integrity.

No one says it will be easy.
Sometimes it’s light and breezy,
But mostly it’s just hard work
And determination not to shirk.

So, run the race of life with grit.
Set your goal and stick to it.
When times are tough, keep going –
You crossed the finish line  knowing

You Have the Power!

Mike - finished race.jpg

Congratulations, Mike!

Did you, or do you have a person in your life who used their grit and tenacity to achieve a goal in spite of all odds? This post is for you!

And if you are in the midst of a struggle – wondering if the blood, sweat, tears, and heartache, setbacks and discouragements are worth it. Believe in your goals. Believe in yourself. Stick with it.

You have the power!

Have a good night.
It’s my bedtime.

img_8341
See you tomorrow!

 

Category:

Family, happiness, learning, Life's Challenges, Love, Poetry, work

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