Thousands of years before His birth, Isaiah predicted Him:
Isaiah 9:6
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Then, when Isaiah’s prediction came true, Jesus came to earth… the Prince of Peace, Here to show us how to find His peace, Here to show us how to live.
Ephesians2:14 put it this way:
“Jesus is our peace” Because Jesus “came and preached peace to you who were far away and those who were near.”
Jesus came, lived to show us and teach us, and died to save us. Believing that is the road to His grace. Believing that is the way to Eternal Life. Believing that is the path to peace.
Dr. John Koessler wrote:
“Those who know the peace of Christ become agents of peace themselves. When Jesus first sent His disciples to proclaim the kingdom, He told them, ‘As you enter the home, give it your greeting.’ Matthew 10:12 (the traditional Jewish greeting, Shalom) This was more than a social formality, Christians are offering peace through faith in Christ to others. The shalom of Christ is more than a greeting. It is a promise. There is more to peace than a personal experience. For the Christian, peace is a person. Jesus is our peace.”
That’s the luncheon at our Madison Valley Woman’s Club yesterday. 45 ladies showed up from our little Ennis community!
My dear friend, Susan P, came and helped me decorate our house from tree to…
…fireplace mantle and lotsa places around the house. She did things I could never do by myself. God bless her!
Those candles on the mantle are battery operated and can be set to change colors!!
Isn’t that fun? They can all be one of any choice of 8 colors or they can rotate. Good ole CostCo. They have lotsa fun things to get you in the holiday spirit!
But nothing depicts the Christmas season quite as well as this treasure that I found at our Christmas bazaar last Saturday. It’s a manger scene made by a darling lady in Nairobi. She used the bark from banana trees!!
It’s not Christmas unless we recognize the nativity as central to the holiday!
Is it beginning to look a lot like Christmas at your house? Tell me about it!
Have fun fixing your home to reflect this holiday season in a way that is meaningful for you.
For me and my family, it’s Christmas…
Thanking God for the gift of Baby Jesus, sharing time with family & friends, sending out cards, decorating with trees, candles, music and presents…
and the fun has just begun!
Our TazE looks just like this Boston on the right. She has decided the blanket under the tree is her bed. She thinks the presents are for her. Help!
Have fun this Christmas season… and good luck keeping your dog, cat or kids out from under the Christmas tree!
This blog was posted in my “Embrace” series a year or so ago. Many of you, my faithful followers, saw it and commented. Thank you so much!
It is worth revisiting! I have several new friends since then, so I think this is a good one to reblog as we approach this Thanksgiving Day 2022. Gathering with friends and family reminds us of the blessing these friendships are to us.
My devotional this morning in These Days, Daily Devotions for Living by Faith, quoted Col.1:11-12 and reminded us, “Being in a healthy relationship is no small task.”
It went on to tell us, “It takes work, sacrifice, and understanding.” Yesterday I reblogged a post titled, “Partners” that pointed to those same requirements for lasting relationships.
I recommend that you click on the “Best Friendship Songs” below and listen as you read my Haiku renderings on this subject of Relationships.
Relationships are What this life is all about Friends are our life’s gifts
We need each other Going through life alone won’t work Loneliness smothers
We’re never alone When we’ve a relationship With God, our Maker
Put God first in life Let Him help you bind your love So it never breaks
In an article in Woman’s Day Magazine, I quote:
“Whether you’re starting out a new relationship, have been married for years, simply love your friends, or adore your family, there’s always a way to incorporate God into each of the unique relationships in your life.”
Choose relationships Grounded in mutual love With respect at center
Seek Godly friendships Not just with your great neighbors, But with every one
Especially when You are choosing a life’s mate, Be centered in God
Men, listen to this: If she does not know your God, She doesn’t know real love.
Don’t give up on her! Teach her about the Savior Save relationships
Embrace your friendships Love one another fully Treasure your family
I am grateful for The love of my family I can count on them
I pray your friends care For you as mine do for me… And know I love you!
You are blogging friends Who visit JanBeek to say “I care about you”
I am inspired by The way I can count on you To come, read, and write
God bless you, dear friends Your relationship matters It’s more than on-line
It’s alive in me You’re a friend I depend on I can count on you!
Have you been listening To that collection of songs? Lots of good words there!
Like: “Live your story” “Know our love will never die” “Hold on to your friends.”
Thank you for visiting JanBeek today. You matter to me. Thank you for being my friend. See you tomorrow.
My niece, Jodie, with me and her best friend, Melissa… Such treasures in my life!!
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” Romans 5:1-2
Grace alone which God supplies; Strength unknown He will provide… Every soul we long to reach Every heart we hope to teach Everywhere we share… It’s only by His Grace.
Do take time to hear Scott Wesley Brown sing this for us:
God’s grace – and peace to you – dear friends,
PEACE now and forever!
Bee well. Thanks for visiting JanBeek. See ya tomorrow.
It was September two years ago when we were in the midst of the pandemic, isolated, sequestered, missing friends and family. I posted this blog titled “Smile.” It’s time this cold, snow sparkling in the sunshine day in November to repost it. I hope it makes you smile. It brought a smile to MY face!
Smile when your heart is aching Smile even though it’s breaking Though there are clouds in the sky You’ll get by – if you’ll just smile!
Do you know that song? I’ll share it with you … Along with some things that made me smile today:
Everyone needs a blue-footed booby for a smile!And I dare you to look at this cross-eyed owl trying to see that ladybug – and not smile!!This snowy egret got its feathers ruffled over SOMEthing!I used to have a pet goat when I was a kid. This one made me smile big time!
(Change the Thursday to Friday on the following meme) And that “Good Night” can say “Good Morning” or “Good Afternoon” (depending on where you are in th world).But before I leave you, I told you I’d share that song with you. It’s not the current version of “Smile” by Katy Perry. It’s the version from the 1950s when I was a kid (a freshman in high school -to be exact!)! Here it is. Smile!
This is one of Nat King Cole’s songs that I loved the most. Its message is so important for us in this world today.
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile, if you’ll just smile!
Hug each other tight… Just like these rainbow lorikeets
SMILE!! Thanks for visiting JanBeek. See ya tomorrow.
Prayer is the topic of a book study we are doing with our pastor these weeks of November 2022. But, back in 2015, it was also a topic of discussion and the title of our guest minister’s sermon. Take a step back – and join me:
Prayer was the title of our sermon on Sunday, August 16, 2015 by Rev. Carol Shellenberger of Bozeman, MT. Here are the notes I took while I listened to her very meaningful and inspiring message:
Turning to the Lord in prayer Is a habit I cultivate. Turning to the Lord with concern Is wise, before it’s too late.
But turning to the Lord in praise Is a minute-by-minute habit. It’s not just a request for courage When we’re afraid. It’s a joy. Grab it!
Prayer is a source of inspiration. Our Father has so much to give. Prayer is a way to receive it… The gift of wisdom; abundance to live.
Some folks expect too much or too little, Looking for extraordinary results Or doubting that God even hears. But prayer is a part of us – like our pulse.
Turning to the Lord in prayer Tells God we are here – and so is He. We know He is wherever we are. I know my Lord cares and answers me.
Prayer is not just a matter of speaking; It’s conversation, but it’s silence, too. If you never stop talking in prayer to God, You never hear what He’s saying to you,
In Luke 11, Jesus teaches His disciples To pray in a wise, simple way. Recognize the power of God And reflect on what this version has to say.
It’s a personal, approachable prayer To Abba, our Papa, our Dad. It invites us to be honest with God, Especially when we’ve been remorsefully bad.
Be specific in naming your sins. From your core, tell Him of your failure and fear. Then look for the way your Savior responds. Notice His Spirit within you. Feel His Love near.
God may not answer in ways you expect. Our Lord is not Santa Claus in disguise. Listen and look for God’s exquisite response. He cares, He hears, and His response always is wise.
In faith, hope and trust, Just PRAY!
Amen.
Take your troubles to the Lord today. The Holy Spirit is in you – always ready. The God of Creation who created you Is here to help you … Helpfulness is steady.
There is nothing quite like prayer in song – especially when it is Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion!
If you have a need today that seems bigger than anyone’s ability to handle, remember what God did when creating the universe.
God is bigger than all our needs – Bigger than anything we could ask or think.
I have been away from writing blogs for over a week now… Unusual for me. But I have been constructively busy. I agreed to accept a nomination to be an elder on our church’s Session. So, my problem has been 4 study books and a workbook that needed my attention.
Then I managed to get a nasty cold, and the aches and runny nose and coughing kept me awake at night. Hard to get motivated to write an inspirational blog about love, joy, peace, faith & unity when you’re facing all that.
Good news is that I am better – and I am ready to face my “Bigger God” – and ask Him for help. Of course, He delivered!
I have enjoyed catching up on some of the blogs you have been posting in my absence. Thank you for your inspiration!
Here’s another version of that delightful song:
Enjoy these delightful kids!
Pray for health and healing, will you? My God is big enough … bigger than you can imagine! See ya tomorrow (I hope)…
My Word for 2022 is STRENGTH. I chose it before I knew… Before we knew the challenges ahead. How has 2022 been so far for you?
I didn’t know how much we would need All the strength we could get. Bob didn’t know he had RSV, And I hadn’t caught it from him yet.
The respiratory virus started our 2022 Off with a cough and a bang! We were supposed to be vacationing, But sequestered instead; DANG!!
Since then, we’ve had quite a year! Strength has been required a lot! Bob was diagnosed with Amyloidosis And I tried to stay upright: NOT!
Yesterday during devotionals Every focus of the messages was “Strength.” I got the message loud and clear: God drums strength home at great length.
So, where does your strength come from? Who or what do you count on? As for me and Bob and our needs, We know the Lord is the Source we mount on!
Yesterday in “Mornings with Jesus,” one of my Guideposts devotionals, Cynthia Ruchti was given that Ephesians scripture as a prompt for her commentary. She and her husband had a big project they needed to complete. She said they probably should have hired a professional to do it, but they decided to tackle it themselves. She wrote:
“The key was to focus on believing I had more strength than assumed. I acted as if the strength I needed was already mine. I imagined what would happen if I applied that to all challenges in life: resisting temptation, staying strong through trials…, holding my tongue…, obeying what Jesus asks of me even when it feels beyond my ability. What if I acted as if the power Jesus promised was already mine?”
Quietly, with courage and conviction, I am assuming the strength God gives me. I do not take the gift of His care for granted. I step up, try, and if I fail, He forgives me.
What challenges are you facing today? What wall must you climb that seems too high? What task looms ahead and seems too hard? Lean on the Lord’s strength – Don’t be shy!
When you’re faced with troubles, Take strength from the One who cares. When tasks seem beyond your reach, Remember God hears and answers prayers.
God bless you today and give you strength to do whatever you need.
Tell me something you need strength for… I will add you to my prayer list!
JanBeek 