The lazy, sunny days of summer are here They’re full of friends and play and cheer Blogging takes a back seat these days Company comes, but rarely stays
So, take the day and live it with joy Go for a walk or ride out in your favorite toy Raid your neighbor’s garden of fresh tomatoes Barbecue tri-tip and bake some potatoes
Keep exercising that broken finger Remember the stiffness – don’t let it linger Make flexible progress every day But don’t let the pain get in your way
Now is the time to dance and to laugh Too soon these summer days will be past The sun shines now – but the warmth won’t stay Come on, Bob, let’s go out and play
I took a blogging break for almost a week Celebrated birthdays and hiked near the creek Then I took our TazE out for a run What’ve you been doing to have some fun?
I may see you tomorrow…. Then again, I may be out having fun… How about you?
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.
Do you ever doubt your niche? Yesterday I posted excerpts from Gottfried’s Banter, a blog whose niche is humor. No, I wasn’t suggesting that my blog should try to fit that niche. Humor like Gottfried’s doesn’t come naturally to me like it does to him.
Gottfried has an oversized funny bone!
No, it’s not numbers, It’s my purpose that dictates My niche and my style.
It’s my gifts that spell The reason for my blogging. How about your niche?
My niche is “Inspiration.”
What’s your intention? Do you need one hundred one Questions to find out?
The Art of Blogging, Cristian Mihai, has questions Yes, one hundred one!
Bloganuary#17 – “What is a Secret Power You’d Like to Have?”
I want the secret power to have wisdom in all circumstances. I want the secret power to turn all tears to laughter and joy. I want the secret power to end all wars and create everlasting peace on earth. I want the secret power to make Believers of all doubters so we all can meet in eternity someday.
Tonight I enjoyed sharing the Bible with friends at our local nursing center. It’s a privilege to get to know these folks whose hearts are soft and tender.
The Bible lesson tonight from Psalms was about how to handle despair. We all face such emotions at times – especially during holidays everywhere.
When our families are far away and we have no way of traveling, it feels to some they are “trapped” and their lives are unraveling.
But while Psalm 42 begins in sorrow, expressing ways life is unfair, the tone quickly changes to joy when touting the wonders of prayer.
Oh, the joy of being great-grandparents is a joy many never live long enough to experience. We do not take this for granted. An afternoon with our granddaughter, Hope, and her two children, Xander and Sienna, reinforced for us why God gives children to the young!!
In Genesis 17, when God
himself appears to Abraham and tells him that Sarah will bear a son, Abraham falls on his face laughing and exclaims, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” (Genesis 17:17).
(Genesis 18:13-14) After Sarah laughs, God turns to Abraham, asking, “Why did Sarah laugh, and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old? ‘ Is anything too wonderful for the Lord?” Sarah has been caught in the act of her private laughter and mocking commentary, a response which catches God off-guard.
We understand why when God granted Sarah the child she longed for all her life (she was in her 90s – so it was quite a miracle), she laughed (not believing God could really do that) and then she gave Isaac to the church. The priests there raised him!
Oh sure…. she gave her child to God in gratitude for God’s generosity. Suuure!!
I’ll bet she didn’t have the stamina to care for that lively little guy!
Hah! We loved visiting with our great grandkids, but we’re sure grateful it’s Hope who took them home – not us! Embrace those great-grandchildren… and then kiss ’em good-bye. You bet!!
I’m headed to bed. I’m exhausted! See ya tomorrow (God willing) Love, JanBeek
I couldn’t lift her!! Her mama had to help me get her in my lap!
“16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances…”
With the right attitudes, we can be young at heart no matter what our chronological age may be.
No, we are still young… Young at heart! Can’t you see it?
Psalm 92:12-15
“12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 13 planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, 15 proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”
Psalm 70:4
Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You. Let those who love Your salvation say evermore, “God is great!”
Each day has its own personality. There will be happy and sad days. Some will be quiet and restful, while others will be filled with activity.
Some will be brimming with health, others will find you facing unexpected challenges.
But, whatever the circumstance, you can find moments of delight – and you can thrive as you see the blessings hidden – even in the worst of times.
This week I learned that my friend, Paul, who was scheduled to replace our wood floor (while we are gone next month on a trip to Europe) fell off a ladder and broke some ribs. In addition to the body aches, he was suffering massive headaches. So, the doctor took x-rays.
The x-rays revealed that Paul had a brain tumor! If he had not fallen off that ladder, there might not have been the x-rays to reveal the tumor. He had brain surgery yesterday morning. The report came that “all is well.”
I don’t know if that means the tumor was benign, or if it means they got it all and he will be fine. Maybe it means all three! But, I know Who has the answers… and I know He hears my prayers.
I know everything happens for a reason… and I know God is in charge. I am so grateful the tumor was discovered! So, I can EMBRACE GOOD CHEER!
I am grateful for the faith I have that allows me to behold life through the eyes of hope and positivity.
Colors are brighter, laughter comes easier, and the joy of simply being alive sets the tone for daily celebration of life’s infinite possibilities.
On this day of remembrance (9-11), may you – with love and reverence – embrace the good cheer of memories that cherish the family members, friends, co-workers, and tireless volunteers who have made a mark upon your life.
May those memories inspire you to live with such integrity, creativity, faith, and love, that one day the memory of you will bring good cheer to all who know you.
Be in prayer for those who are hurting. Be in prayer for all who are in danger. Be in prayer for all who live in fear.
Be in prayer for those who need happiness to knock on their door today.
You’re in my prayers. God bless you with good cheer!
