Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Posts tagged ‘Poetry’

I CAN Say Goodbye

I can say goodbye

I can hug and squeeze them tight

Send them on their way

Farewells at the airport
Good morning Sunshine!
I Can Say
Goodbye to September…

… and Hello to Autumn!
October is here.

Hello to blended mango margaritas and…
… hello to more trips to Bozeman
and to enjoying the fall colors while we go
I can say reluctantly goodbye to green grass and bright flowers
… and say hello to orange sunrises
and sunsets and pumpkins

Yes, I can say
Hello to cooler days
and colder evenings
(but we’re not ready for the snow yet!)


Seasons come and seasons go.
Company comes and company goes.
But family (ah yes, family) stays in our hearts forever
regardless of how many times we have to say goodbye!

To what are you ready to say goodbye?
And hello to what?
Tell me!!

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Family, food, friendship, Life's Challenges, Love, Montana, nature

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Tears of Joy

Daily writing prompt
What brings a tear of joy to your eye?
View all responses

Tears of joy come easily
When someone approaches me breezily
To say my lost puppy is found
And they have him right there on the ground

Tears of joy come spilling
When someone says they are willing
To do some yard work for my Bob
Whose limited body makes me sob

Tears of joy are a blessing
When troubles overflow and I’m stressing
And then miraculous help arrives
Fixing the problem … giving high-fives

What brings tears of joy to your eyes?
Crying is a gift to the wise
Who turn to others and prayer
Knowing that needed help is there.

Where do you turn so that you can have
Tears of joy and turn sadness to glad?
Know that the Lord always is there
You can count on Him everywhere!

Happy Labor-less Day, my friends!

Love,
JanBeek & Bob

(and our friends, the Vasches, too… we have
tears of joy when friends like them come to visit!)

Category:

blessings, friendship, God, Gratitude, Jesus, Life's Challenges, peace, Poetry

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Come, Have a Drink

Inspired by today’s sermon
by Brian Conklin
at our Madison Valley Presbyterian Church
in Ennis, Montana

Come and have a drink with me
The water’s fresh and the drink is free.
No, huh? Water from a broken cistern
Doesn’t quite look like something you yearn?

Well, Jeremiah recognized the problem, too.
He spoke to the children of Israel and to you
About the broken cistern and polluted water.
He told ’em about a better source – come and listen, daughter.

Drink from this pure, flowing, everlasting spring.
Let go of the water that’s full of things to which you cling.
You think refreshment comes from money or possessions.
You trade pure water for power and other obsessions.

Come and have a drink with me
The water’s fresh and the drink is free.
If you hope to satisfy your heart’s desires,
Tune in to the Living Waters, not the liars!

God is the source of all Living Water for us.
He wants to refresh us purely without much fuss.
He says “Drink with me; fulfill your needs.
Grow in love and faith; let’s remove the weeds.”

Isaiah speaks in Jeremiah 2:1-13 clearly
About God’s grief as people turn away and nearly
Break His heart as they rely on themselves with greed,
Trying to go through life alone satisfying every need.

It’s not possible… we fool ourselves when we take control.
Accept God’s invitation, refresh in Him. Make that your goal!
Carve out time each day to drink deeply; refresh with Him
From His Living Water – fill your cup to the brim!

Come, have a drink with me!

Filled with His Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Love, Poetry, sermon notes

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Faith for the Journey

As usual, I took notes during the sermon at church this morning. Brian Conklin’s message about faith spoke to me. I hope you find encouragement here, too.

Faith is assurance and conviction

Faith is a settled confidence

Faith is conviction – a deep certainty

Faith is grounded in reality

Faith is evidence of things not seen

Change is hard – Uncertainty is difficult

What will come next? We wonder.

We trust the Lord who knows the future.

Living in the present as if God’s future

Is already here… we can trust Him

Step into the light of God’s promises

Faith gives us the courage to obey when the road ahead is unclear

Faith is a journey. Set out into the unknown

It’s a direction without an itinerary

The road is not easy; it’s tough!

But faith helps us find God’s Way

We are at an in-between place

But God is walking beside us

He has never left His people in transition

He is in you as you move forward

Faith is about the assurance

That God has your back!

Stay rooted in Trust; step out in confidence.

Support and encourage one another.

Keep showing up!
God is with you.

Amen?

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, Faith, God, life, Living in Harmony, Love, Poetry, sermon notes

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Mary or Martha?

The topic of the sermon at church this morning was Mary & Martha… Luke 10:38-42

At the Home of Martha and Mary

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Join me with the sermon notes I took in church this morning.

Our church has a new paint color
Here’s the old paint color

That’s our Madison Valley Presbyterian Church in Ennis, MT.
I love the new paint color.
What do you think?
I like to think of it as
“Green and Growing.”

The mint green is soothing, don’t you think?

Today’s sermon examined Mary & Martha’s story. Mary’s soothing choice compared to Martha’s busyness. Which choice do you relate to?

Our interim pastor, Brian Conklin, shed interesting light on the age-old story. Here are my sermon notes from this lovely Sunday morning.

Martha is active and faithful
She’s committed and frustrated
We’ve been in her shoes
Sometimes we’re annoyed, too

Jesus, in gentleness, corrected
Martha, telling her that Mary
Is doing what is right for her
But He doesn’t rebuke Martha

Martha’s resentment is clear
And it’s easy to understand
She’s worried and distracted
We are like her all too often

In our culture we celebrate
Productivity, and forget to be
Present to the importance of today
Our stress pulls us apart

Our presence is what’s needed
Be present for each other
Be fully present in God’s presence
Listen to Jesus. Sit at His feet

The posture of your heart:
sitting, listening, being attentive
Is worship… Stillness reduces stress
Christ tells us to pause. Peace! Be still!

Sit in His presence
Luke 12:25 reminds us
“Don’t worry!” TRUST
God is with you. God bless you

Turn your anxiety into prayer
Find rest for your soul
Anchor your heart at Jesus’ feet
Be present with Christ.

Amen?

My peace I give to you.

But Jesus didn’t scold Martha
or tell her what she was doing is wrong.
Someone has to prepare
if you’re going to share a meal, right?

Who do you relate to?
Mary or Martha?
Why?

My birthday’s this Thursday.
No one mentioned it in church this morning.
No one sang to me.
I want to be Mary, sitting with Jesus.
He would sing to me!
It’s my week.

Jesus would say,
“…few things are needed—or indeed only one…”

And He would probably scold me.
“Get your mind off of yourself.
Reach out to others.
Did you remember to
wish Debbie & Steve
a Happy Anniversary?
It’s their week, too!”

Ah, my friends,
Life is Good!
Count your blessings…
and remember,
“…Mary has chosen what is better…”
Be still… and listen!

Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Love, Poetry, relationships, sermon notes, Serving One Another, writing

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Be Unoffendable!

I took my sermon notes as a series of Haiku
today in church.
Let me share those notes with you.
It was a wonderful message
delivered by our interim pastor,
Brian Conklin.

Live in unity
Choose love over labeling
Walk in the spirit

Be a peacemaker
Listen to one another
Hear others’ stories

Share humanity
See Christ’s imprint in others
Exhibit goodness

Show agape love
It’s the highest form of love
Unity and grace

Two hundred forty
Plus nine years ago there was
Freedom declared here

Our nation declared
One land – indivisible
But, we divided

We let politics
Rule over our heart, soul and
Our identity

We need freedom TO
Exercise our highest good
Not just freedom FROM

We need open hearts
Hearts that seek to heal others
Not drive them apart

Stop all the fighting
Show love, not hated discord
Celebrate freedom

Hear one another
Just lift one another up
Be calming healers

Unoffendable
Means listening openly
Try understanding

Openly share faith
Faith in each others’ goodness
Hope for our future

Live in hope and peace
Just be unoffendable
Wear love on your sleeve!

Amen?

Love,
JanBeek

Romans 12:18 

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, Haiku, kindness, Living in Harmony, Love, peace, Poetry, respect, Sharing

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World Peace

Our world is so screwed up
There are wars without end
Only God can really see
If peace is right around the bend

Since Adam & Eve took that bite
And sin entered this world of ours
It has seemed to us mortal beings
That world peace is beyond our powers

Negotiations call for cease fires
Men promise they will abide
But then they turn around and
Drop bombs on the other side

Why can’t we live in love
Why can’t we all get along
Why do men with earthly power
Like to sing the Battle Song?

Like Rachel Platten’s fight song
They don’t care if you believe
They don’t care if lives are lost
They have egos that deceive

Deceive us with false promises
Live to satisfy your own desires
Sacrifice our sons and daughters
Drop those bombs and start those fires

How can World Peace be achieved
If we can’t live in brotherly love
Pray with me, my friends, please
Ask for peace from God above

Only God can change the hearts
Of selfish men with all the powers
Take their conscience – make them care
Care to save this world of ours.

Amen?

John 14:27 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, music, peace, Poetry, prayer

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Retirement

Here’s my idea of retirement… BUT…

R etirement

E nters

T yonneee

I nto

R elaxation,

E xcept

M aybe

E veryday will

N ot be different:

T otally wired!!

Our son, Ty, and wife, Monika, have
A special announcement! 📣
“He’s retiring from over 30 years as an educator!”
(She’ll continue to teach.)
He and Monika are part of a team
that planted a new church
just about 30 minutes
from their Placerville, CA home
– in Pollack Pines.
They’ll always be “On the Move” serving our Lord. Ty will be leading elder, preaching most Sundays.
No doubt they’ll be leading a weekly Bible Study.
Monika will be right there supporting the ministry in every way. God bless them!
Pray they’ll take SOME time to relax and enjoy “Retirement.”
Maybe a trip to Montana to see us??

What will you do (or are you doing) in retirement?
I’m having a very relaxing Father’s Day weekend with my sweetheart.
Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there!!

Love,
JanBeek

Hmmm… this post seems to be hiding the photos. What’s going on? When I click edit and look at it, the pictures are there, but when I save it and open it, there are no pictures visible. Have you ever had that experience?

Category:

Aging Gracefully, blessings, contentment, Family, God, Love, Poetry, Serving One Another, work

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Love Our Poet Laureate

Montana Poet Laureate Chris La Tray at the Elling House Arts and Humanities Center in Virginia City tonight, Saturday, April 27th at 7:00 PM. I will not be able to attend, but I will be with him in spirit. He is a gifted man. I love his poetry.

La Tray, the Montana Poet Laureate since 2023, is a Métis storyteller and a member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. He’s the author of ‘One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large’ and‘Becoming Little Shell’. Why don’t you Google those books… or find ’em on Amazon. You’ll love ’em just as I do!

Chris sees poetry like the spiritual life of an Anishinaabe person: if you live an Anishinaabe life, focusing on the seven guiding principles of the Seven Grandfather teachings – Humility, Courage, Honesty, Wisdom, Truth, Respect, and Love – then every step you take becomes a prayer.

If you approach poetry in a similar way, seeing that everything that happens can be seen as a poem, and that every moment in life is an experience worth paying close attention to, then every step you take becomes a poem. Whether you write it down or share it with others, poetry becomes another way to tell and share stories. La Tray’s programs remind people that their stories matter, that they’re the only ones who can tell them right, and that poetry, no matter how you define it, is a beautiful way to do so.

Chris La Tray encourages us to focus on
Humility,
Courage,
Honesty,
Wisdom,
Truth,
Respect,
and Love.

Let’s do!

Humility sits in humble silence
While courage asks us to stand
And honesty demands
We approach life with wisdom

Truth is hard to find
In a world that lacks respect
The only way to discover it
Is with love, I suspect.

Reach out in love
Tell others how you feel
We know the world needs
More love. Make it real!

It was true in 1966 when Dionne sang this song…
And it’s even more true today.
Sing along with Dionne…
… and then go out and spread some love.

We all need it!

Hugs,
JanBeek

Category:

Living in Harmony, Love, music, Poetry, relationships, writing

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How D’ya Wanna Die?

We’re all gonna die someday.
How d’ya wanna die?

When you’re in your mid-80’s
and both your parents
died before their 90th birthdays,
it’s natural to think about your own death.

It’s the winter season of my life.
Family and friends are leaving
this earth before me.
Many are a decade or more younger than I.

Yesterday I received a message from a friend.
Her husband has been battling lung cancer
I’ve been praying for him and his wife daily.
He developed pneumonia recently.

Along with his other health issues,
lung cancer and interstitial lung disease,
she wrote, “That wasn’t a good mix!”
Sadly, he passed away.

But soon the “sadly” changed to “gratitude.”
She continued, telling me, “… alert, no pain,
and telling stories right up to the end.”
What a wonderful blessing that was!


No, this isn’t him, but I can imagine the scene.
“All of us were with him,” she wrote.
“He said he was ready to meet Jesus.
His faith was unbelievably strong.

He let everybody know he was joyfully checking out.”
My friend played Merle Haggard’s song on her cell phone:
Sing Me Back Home, and put the phone by his ear.
He smiled, closed his eyes, “So long ’til we meet on the other side.”

How d’ya wanna die?
I’ve decided my friend’s scenario
is the one I want when I leave this earth.
How about you?

Luke 23:43 

And he said to him,
“Truly, I say to you,
today you will be with me in paradise.”


I want to hear those words, too.
But not too soon, okay?

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Aging Gracefully, Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Jesus, Life and Death, Living in Christ's Family, Love, music, Poetry

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