When God starts your day with this kind of a blessing,
how can your day go wrong?
TRUST in His blessings!
This is the day that the Lord has made,
I will reJOYce and be glad in it!
How have you felt God’s blessings in your life this day?
See ya in my prayers…
Love, JanBeek
I just needed a diversion today
away from politics and religion
and anything serious.
So, I decided puppies
were a great way
to get my head cleared
and put a smile on my face.
Don’t you agree?
A little dab of puppy
does it!
Today at d’Verse, De Jackson, asked us to write a Quadrille poem (exactly 44 words) with the word dab in it.
How about you?
Do you have a favorite pup picture to cheer me?
Or a favorite puppy story?
Time to share!!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek
See ya tomorrow.
Joy bubbles up from deep within
And spills out with gladness.
Expressing joy with eager anticipation
Erases all the madness.
The world around may sizzle
With turmoil, loss, and pain,
But those need not define us.
Choose gladness and see gain.
Peek through the gloom with love
And watch the scenery change
From gloom and doom to cheerfulness.
Embrace joy; keep gladness in range!
“This is the day the Lord has made;
We will reJOYce and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24
ReJOYce and dance, my friends.
Be glad in the Lord and sing.
Set your mind on the positive;
Let your heart in gladness ring.
Begin your day with a question,
Ask the Lord, “Whatcha got in store?”
Then follow his lead and smile –
His joy is to give you more!
More beauty and more power,
More love and gladness, too
Are waiting round the bend
In God’s storehouse for you.
So let joy bubble up from deep within.
Let gladness radiate from your face.
Practice living in His presence
And let His love fill this space.
“Love unlocks doors and opens windows
that weren’t ever there before.”
Mignon McLaughlin
My prayer for us today:
May we live with an attitude of gratitude,
And send out the essence of gladness,
Relieving distress and doing our best
To erase all traces of sadness.
Amen
Thanks for visiting.
See ya tomorrow.
Bee Glad!
Do you have a theme picked out for 2021?
Several of the bloggers I follow
have selected and shared
their themes
for 2021.
My husband, Bob,
said his theme is
“Don’t Let the Old Man In.”
Mine is
“Embrace”
Each day this year I will pray for
the revelations of God’s Will
for the new day,
and I will ask Him,
“What (or who) shall I embrace today?”
January 1st it was “JOY!”
There is room for JOY
In this life of mine.
There is room for it ‘cuz
This life is mighty fine.
January 2nd I embrace
God’s Will for my day.
Read His Word and
Walk in His Way.
Have a blessed weekend, dear friends.
What (or who) will you embrace today?
Thank God for the people close enough to you
that you can safely hug
even in the midst of this pandemic.
What are your plans for today?
Our day will be a quiet one
here in this beautiful place.
I hope yours is as peace-filled.
God is shining His Light
down on you.
Be at peace!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
See ya tomorrow.
If you’ve followed my blog for a week or so, you already know that I journal most days in this little book that is dedicated to my dear and daring daughter, DeAna. I don’t write in it EVERY day, but often I do, when I am up in my sanctuary, motivated by my devotionals. Today was such a day.
Look ahead, my friend
Live Life Forward
Stare out the windshield
Not the rear view mirror
Look toward the future
Find the unexpected gifts
Share the love and grace
You find at every turn
Share the laughter
Share uninhibited joy
Share compassion
Ease each others pain
Find the hidden treasures
‘Neath the tears of sorrow
Let them wash you clean
Ready for tomorrow
Look ahead, my friend
Don’t let the past upset
Live life forward
And bury all regret
I have positive thoughts about today.
It’s snowing here…
and it is beautiful outside.
It’s warm and cozy inside.
I pray you are cozy, too.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek
And thank you to all my faithful followers –
Your comments make my day!
See ya tomorrow.
If you have followed my blog for a month or more,
you have seen this journal before.
The topics are inspired by life and living.
I have written about:
I CAN
Volunteer
Share
Bee Hospitable
Tackle Transitions
etc.
Little did I know when I wrote some of those how difficult some would become. Hospitality requires guests, right? Well, so much for that! Most of our friends are afraid in this pandemic world to socialize.
Little did I know how hard it would become to volunteer. Most of my volunteer activities are forbidden right now. I can’t be a “Purple Lady” at the medical center desk. Our auxiliary couldn’t hold its fund raiser this year. We couldn’t earn the money to donate for new equipment and/or medical supplies as we have done in the past.
Little did I realize how many opportunities I would have to “Tackle Transitions.” Back in June of 2018 when I wrote on that topic, God knew what was coming, but none of us had a clue. My transitions poem was prophetic:
Times of transition
Can be disconcerting –
Facing the unknown
Running, dodging, skirting.
Life is full of changes;
Nothing stays the same.
Rolling with the punches –
Listening for our name.
In the “roll call” of life,
Showing up to be
Ready for transitions
Sometimes is difficult for me.
But I know the Leader
Is my Maker who decides
What my next assignment is.
In Him my life abides.
So, embrace the coming changes;
Set aside all fear and sorrow.
Joyfully put your hand in His;
He’s gotcha covered for tomorrow.
Choosing JOY in the midst of this pandemic is not easy.
My list of “I Can” do’s has changed this year.
But, I try to keep it positive:
I CAN
Believe
Only Imagine
ReJOYce
Whistle!
You recognize some of those. They became blogging themes.
This morning’s I CAN prompted today’s post:
I CAN
Keep it Simple
No large family gatherings
No stockings stuffed with toys
No sounds of giggling laughter
From excited girls and boys
No trudging through the snow
With accordion on my back
No carols at windows
Or St. Nicholas with his sack
It’s a different sort of year
COVID-19 has changed us quite a lot
We cancelled our travel plans
And we altered what we bought
Christmas Day will be different
We can mourn the things we miss
Or we can vow to keep it simple
Pray for those we cannot kiss
The virus and death took too many –
They’re in Heaven with our Lord
Let us focus on Christ Jesus
And the grace He richly poured.
Believe the Christmas promise
Jesus came to save our souls
Eternity knows no endings
His love comforts and consolesKeep it Simple!
Have a Beautiful Christmas Week!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
See you tomorrow.
Today’s sermon by Rev. Steve Hundley
at Ennis, Montana’s Presbyterian Church
was titled, “Swept Up in the Current of God’s Love.”
In my typical fashion, I listened
and took notes in poetry to capture the message
as I was received it.
I like this image for today’s bulletin cover
because the message as I pondered it was:
“Listen for the angels’ announcement.
Listen with your heart, and
Be swept up into the
realms of JOY!”
Based on and reflections from
Luke 1:39-55
Mary rushed to tell Elizabeth
The anticipation of Jesus’ birth.
But Elizabeth already knew it…
Elizabeth knew it? How on earth??
Mary felt a song swell up
And bubble over inside her.
She sang acceptance and praises.
Elizabeth beamed beside her.
We don’t think of God exploding
Into our lives this season.
Our upside-down world seems to forget
The JOY, the Message, the Reason.
The story of Mary and Elizabeth
Reminds us of the glories of the event.
To make Christmas more meaningful,
We need to focus on the love sent.
Mary and Elizabeth didn’t make the joy.
They WERE the joy – growing in them.
God’s presence exhibited the miracle.
The peace and JOY of God began then.
We’re not the master of all this.
The grace and love are gifts.
We’re the grateful recipients.
With Jesus’ birth, the world shifts.
The angels announced the Savior.
The vulnerable baby was born.
His life changed our destiny.
No longer are we lost or forlorn.
Mary’s Magnificat is a message
To all of us to be steady –
Steady for Christ’s coming.
Listen with your heart – be ready!
Be prepared to be swept away
By the current of God’s love.
Be prepared for that Bethlehem baby
Who came to save us from above.
Yes, the angels announced that heavenly Baby
Who came down from God to us.
Now we’re awaiting the angel
Who’ll announce an end to all this fuss.
No, Reverend Steve didn’t add that last stanza to his sermon…
but I just couldn’t help myself!
Don’t you love that COVID angel?
No?
Ah, come on… let’s add the need for
a freedom announcement.
Freedom from the pain of this pandemic.
Freedom from the need to wear masks,
socially distance,
stay at home,
and
isolate.
Don’t let this Coronavirus get to you…
Don’t take to the bottle to try and drown the pain!!
Make wise decisions!
Keep your eyes and your ears tuned to the Holy Spirit
and be ready to be “swept up in the current of God’s love.”
Jesus’ birth is the reason for the season –
And the grace and hope He brings
will keep you swimming
in love and joy.
Believe!
The following poem
came from Lisa
yesterday as I was waiting
for Bob’s angiogram results.
“Thy name is my healing, O my God, and remembrance of Thee is my remedy. Nearness to Thee is my hope, and love for Thee is my companion. Thy mercy to me is my healing and my succor in both this world and the world to come. Thou, verily, art the All-Bountiful, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”
Jaime and Kathy played the piano and keyboard as Jim played the saw for some special music this morning.
I always imagine that saw being the only instrument some old cowboy had on hand in some distant days gone by… and learning to eerily try to play a tune on it must have been quite an interesting pastime!!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
I hope you enjoyed these tidbits of my Sunday.
Bee safe!
See ya tomorrow.
Bee well!!
Count your blessings, my friend.
You are blessed indeed –
God is with you every step,
Taking care of your every need.
ReJOYce in the reason for the season
Remember it is about God’s Son.
It’s not about Xmas at all
Don’t leave out Christ – He’s the One!
reJOYce!!
There are plenty of reasons
To be sad this time of year –
Especially when looking down.
But look up… See here!
Life is so full of things to say
Thank You to God for…
Lift your eyes to the sky
And look for so many more.
The ability to look at life
Through eyes of gratitude
And find JOY even in times of trouble,
That’s a healthy attitude!
Reaching out to friends
Who will hear and join you in prayer –
And believing in its power…
You will find real JOY there!
Philippians 4:4-6
“Rejoice in the Lord always…
Let your gentleness be evident to all…
Do not be anxious about anything,
but in every situation,
by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.”
Thank you for your love, prayers and support yesterday
when I was waiting for the results of Bob’s angiogram procedure.
You’re a treasure.
I reJOYce in your presence in my life.
Have a blessed weekend.
See ya tomorrow.
Love & Hugs,
JanBeek
Enjoy this beautiful, inspiring song and…
… Keep Lookin’ Up!!
I’ve got peace like a river…
Do you?
Sing along!!
Don’t worry if you get the words mixed up.
I did!
I’m singing alto.
I hope you hear Alexa
with the melody in the background.
Add your voice to mine…
I love this song!
Take Peace!
Have a Terrific Tuesday.
You got peace like a river
in YOUR soul?
I pray you do…
Hugs,
JanBeek
I can find peace –
It’s here in my heart.
Living in trust
Is a good place to start.
I can find peace
In stillness and prayer.
Don’t need to go far –
Peacefulness is there.
Find peace in the world –
Find oneness with all.
Find joy and contentment –
No need for a wall.
Peace in relationships –
Peace from above.
Just radiate inner peace –
And reach out in love.
Isaiah 32:17
“The effect of righteousness will be peace,
and the result of righteousness
will be quietness and confidence forever.”
Pray today for
peace,
trust,
stillness,
unity,
joy,
and
contentment .
They are waiting for you…
Just ask!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
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
