I need some humor
Laughing makes me feel better
I bet you agree
I have a great friend
Who sends me laughter weekly
Let me share some here
Sometimes my dear friend
Finds things with a naughty streak
Try not to censure!
Okay, I better
Draw this to a sudden close
Before I offend
Beware the bears!
See ya tomorrow.
Hugs,
JanBeek
In these days of national crises,
It’s easy to feel powerless.
It’s easy to duck our heads and hide.
It’s easy to take the role of cowardice.
Our uncertainty about the future
Stirs in us anxiety and fear.
But stronger yet is our faith.
We take courage. God is here.
This letter from Amy Klobuchar,
A politician I have come to admire,
Came to me in today’s mail.
Her message calms the fire.
| Jan, Today’s celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. comes at a time when his work and his message are more important than ever. The forces of division that are trying to convince us that our neighbors are our enemies have been loud in recent months — but I still believe as I always have that there is still more that unites us as Americans than separates us. Our nation is coming together to reject violence and authoritarianism. This is the spirit that we must bring into the future. We must heed the words of Dr. King, that we are all “tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” Thank you, Amy |
Turning to the wisdom of the scriptures,
We can gain resolve and be brave.
We can shine a light and be courageous.
God tells us how to behave.
“Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,
for the Lord your God goes with you;
He will never leave or forsake you.”
“Be strong and courageous,
because you will lead these people
to inherit this land
I swore to their ancestors
to give them.”
The rioters at our nation’s capitol last week were intent on “taking back the country” by overturning the Biden/Harris election. They were convinced that the election was fraught with fraud. Hundreds of court cases were brought against election officials. Each case lost or was thrown out. Even judges appointed by President Trump found “no fraud existed.”
The actions of the rioters were not what Martin Luther King would have sanctioned. They were not what God in His scripture advocates. Paul, in his letter to the people of Corinth said what we need to hear today:
“Be on your guard;
He was not speaking to rioters.
stand firm in the faith;
be courageous;
be strong.”
He was speaking to give courage
to the people of Corinth
to stand against oppressors.
Part of today’s problem in the USA (in my humble opinion) is that there is a host of Americans who have decided the people on the side of the law are the oppressors. They have painted Donald Trump as their liberator. A huge portion of our citizenry still is convinced the election was stolen. For only the second time in our history, the outgoing president will not be there at the inauguration to wish the incoming president well – and to encourage a peaceful transition of power. It is sad, indeed!
The most important thing we can do as a nation – and in fact, as a world – is to pray. Ask God to give courage and steadfastness to those people who have been elected to lead us forward. Join together in asking for a peaceful transition. There are (hopefully) many such prayer meetings occurring today and tomorrow. Here is one of them:
As we EMBRACE COURAGE and stand in the power and love of Christ, we must be discerning. Listen for the voice of God’s Truth. Try not to believe misleading rhetoric. Be sure we stand in God’s Will as we act by His strength.
“For God has not given us
a spirit of fear and timidity,
but of power,
love, and
self-discipline.”
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
Embrace Courage, my friends.
See ya tomorrow.
Here in Ennis, Montana, we have a group of ladies who love to sew. They call themselves the PieceMakers. Piece by piece, they sewed quilts to send to retired service men and women.
When COVID-19 hit, piece by piece they made masks. I am not sure they still are doing so, because we are being told the hospital-type masks are the only really safe ones … and we are being encouraged to put our other cloth masks away.
Meantime, today’s world causes me to “Embrace Peacemakers” – and pray that we can return to a country of sanity and safety.
Today’s Bible Verse
“Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.”
Matthew 5:9
In the name of peace, I invite you to join other “Prayer Warriors” Tuesday night to pray for a peaceful transition of power here in the USA on Wednesday.
It is troublesome to see all the military and the barricades being erected in our nation’s capitol. Troublesome to think that they are necessary in order to preserve the peace and save the lives of our elected leaders who are being threatened.
Because that is a photo of the announcement, the link above won’t work Try this one:
http://www.facebook.com/orhamidbarps
It will take you to a page that has this image on it – and you can click that you are interested (if you are). If not, be sure to raise your own voice independently to God asking for peace in our nation on January 20th and beyond… or form a prayer group of your own. The threats are real… and very troublesome.
Embrace Peace!
Embrace Love,
Unity,
Respect
Pray for PEACE.
See ya later.
God Bless You!
The events at the United States Capitol in Washington DC today were more than disturbing. I watched about a half an hour of President Trump’s speech to thousands of his followers who came to his rally this morning near the Capitol Building in Washington DC. His speech was so disturbing that I had to shut it off.
About 10 minutes into his speech, I wrote to a friend saying, “I am listening to a rabid crowd that is listening to this delusional dictator/cult leader. So troublesome!! He’s so dangerous!”
About 10 minutes later I wrote, “I am praying for peace. I’m worried about his power base believing the election fraud lie and being riled up… He is damning ‘Weak Republicans’ and obviously trying to plan a coup… inciting insurrection. He said there were ‘explosions of bullshit’ – and the crowd loved it! He said, ‘The media has become the enemy of the people’. The crowd applauded. This man is dangerous.”
I couldn’t stand what I was hearing, so clicked out of it and turned on XM Radio’s Escape while I finished my breakfast and then went to my dental appointment. Bob & I were gone for the day. It was a beautiful drive to Bozeman and back along the Madison River.
I got my teeth cleaned, we did a little grocery shopping, and when we returned home, we turned on the TV.
Can you imagine our dismay? Sure enough, that “rabid crowd” was incited to violence. They had stormed the White House and in the mayhem a woman was killed and the entire Senate and House proceedings to affirm the electoral counts that would confirm the election of Biden/Harris had been halted.
As I write this, the Senate and Assembly are back in session. It is nearing midnight in Washington DC and they promise to stay in session until their job is done and the electoral votes are properly counted. The rioters were cleared out, of course. But very few were arrested, as far as I can tell. Why not? What they did was despicable and unlawful.
They were incited by the rhetoric of our President Trump. I heard it. I could switch it off and tune into some music and go on a nice drive. But those rioters were caught up in it. They didn’t turn it off. Their actions were …
… well, I can’t find the words. I can’t describe how concerned I am about our country, how disappointed I am with our president and his unwillingness to accept defeat. I cannot put into words how concerned I am about what Donald Trump may do in the next 14 days (until he is out of office) to put the USA at risk. His behavior is not rational. I heard him. I saw him. I saw the results. Did you?
How are you feeling about it?
What do you say?
Thanks for visiting JanBeek
and listening to me vent.
See ya tomorrow.
I hope it’s a better day.
ac·qui·es·cence/ˌakwēˈesəns/ Learn to pronounce nounnoun: acquiescence; plural noun: acquiescences
Today I understand the meaning of reluctance.
Today I see the evidence of it in President Trump.
But I see no evidence of acceptance.
He’ll continue to fight long after the battle is lost.
My prayer is that in his unwillingness to accept defeat,
He will not rile his supporters to violence.
Now is a time to accept the democratic process.
Now is the time to dig deep for decency.
Acquiesce, Donald Trump!
This is not a steal.
It is the will of the people.
Acquiesce!
“We will Lead
Not only by the Example of our Power,
But by the Power of our Example.”
President-Elect Joe Biden
“Dream with Ambition.
Lead with Conviction.
See yourself in a way
That others may not.”
Vice-President-Elect Kamala Harris
Congratulations to Joe and Kamala!
God Bless America!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
I appreciate you.
See ya later.
I found this list of twelve ideas to be most helpful today. The ones I do already are evident: meditate, practice gratitude, think positively, and eat foods that nourish me. But, some of the others, I think I need to be more intentional about.
So, I decided I will pick two a day and concentrate on them. How about you? Which ones are already a part of your routine? Which ones do you think you might add?
Today I am going to intentionally “Listen to My Favorite Music.” One of the songs that speaks to me was featured on Roth PoetryPoetry From the Heart! I listened to four versions of the song, Bridge Over Troubled Waters. One told of the song’s origin by Simon & Garfunkel, another was sung by Aretha Franklin, one by Josh Grobin, and then my favorite, Elvis.
This song is so appropriate to how I am feeling today as we learned the USA election results today and I think we are facing a few months of contentious litigation and transitional turmoil. I pray we can find a bridge over troubled waters, just as Dwight Roth suggested on his blog by that title yesterday.
And the other idea I will choose from the dozen ideas above is “Smile and Laugh More.” To that end, here are a few that made me smile and laugh. How about you?
And if you are a fan of Donald Trump, I hope I did not offend you. Here is another:
OK – enough on politics! Let’s find more neutral laughter.
Oh, I think I might have posted
that last one a few weeks ago.
But if I can’t be sure, can you?
Have you ever noticed that what’s funny to one person may not be funny to another? Be sure to make your laughter as innocent as possible. I’m not very good at that. But, hey we’re all a work in progress, right? Tell me a joke that made you laugh today!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
See ya tomorrow.
Every day’s a celebration
If you just know where to look.
Look at all your many blessings.
Take a look in the Good Book.
Galatians 5:1
“Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom.
Therefore, be firm in this freedom, and don’t become slaves again.”
Unlock the gifts of freedom
With the key of appreciation.
Be grateful for our liberties –
We’re a very blessed nation.
We enjoy liberties that people
In many other countries will never see,
But will long for their whole lifetimes.
Thank the Lord that we are free!
Free to vote and free to protest;
Free to shout when we disagree.
Free to love and be loved in return;
Free from the oppression of tyranny.
Lamentations 3:22-24
“Because of the Lord’s great love,
we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
I say to myself,
‘The Lord is my portion,
therefore I will wait for Him’.”
With my morning cup of coffee,
I will wait in my sanctuary.
I will read and pray and ask the Lord
For hope to live in you and me.
I will seek the peace that God can give,
And put the results in His hands.
I will seek His strength for today
Ask Him to heal the hurt in our lands.
I will celebrate the right to vote
As I listen for the results to come.
I will celebrate the eternal joy
That I can claim. It’s denied to some.
If you are feeling disgruntlement
And joy seems strangely aloof,
Ask Jesus for His divine power
To shine His joy – and Celebrate Truth!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
I’ll see you tomorrow.
(By then, we may know a bit more of the election results!)
Celebrate Freedom!!
…And defend GER? Yes, defend HER!
God Bless the USA.
Preserve freedom.
Celebrate your right to differ –
Celebrate the ways we agree!!
Remember:
Helpless
Does not Equal
Hopeless.
Even when I feel helpless
To change the outcome
Of a given situation,
I need to hang on to hope!
In this day of indecisive results
I need to hang on to the hope
That the outcome will be
In God’s ultimate plan.
It ain’t over
Til it’s over,
So hang on to hope.
Hang on for dear life!
What are you hoping for?
See ya tomorrow.
Love ya,
JanBEE ;o)
Some days we just can’t focus
We move from this to that
We look for life’s chuckles
And invite a friend to chat
Today was one of those days
I gathered stuff for fun
And thought you might enjoy
A random walk when day is done
So come and take a tour with me
And see a few things I enjoyed
You might pick a favorite
Or say which ones annoyed
But hey, not every day is easy
Some days are a deep black hole
Meander with me through this and that
And if you smile, I’ve met my goal!
I gotcha covered, my friend
I’ll cover your back when you need me
Cuz when you find me sad and hungry
I know I can count on you to feed me!
A little bread and a glass of wine
Heck, that’s all I’ll ask
Take my hand and lead me home
And don’t forget your mask!!
See ya tomorrow.
Have a good Thursday night.
Pray for my grandson, Mike, in Switzerland.
He was diagnosed positive with COVID-19.
He’s getting better… but this pandemic is nothing to fool with!
DO WEAR YOUR MASK
when you’re out in public.
Love,
An intrepid Christian
Is resolute and fearless,
Has fortitude and endurance,
But is never cheerless!
An intrepid Christian
Is teachable and submissive,
Attentive and humble,
But never repressive.
An intrepid Christian
Is expectant and devout,
Delivers The Word quietly –
But rarely has to shout!
An intrepid Christian
Demonstrates integrity,
Walks the Talk –
But never belittles you or me.
If you believe Donald Trump is a Christian, did you listen to his belittling of Savannah Guthrie after his last Town Hall meeting? Think about the way he insults reporters who are questioning him. Be honest with yourself. Can this man we call our president really be a Christ follower? I am so fed up with his insults to women that I cannot remain quiet any longer. Listen to this!!
If you are an Intrepid Christian,
And you have the right to vote
In the United States of America,
Please listen and take note.
Please help us return to
Decency and civility here.
Help us elect a kind and capable team
And listen to the U.S. cheer!
Don’t forget to vote
if you haven’t already!
PLEASE believe me when I say
The Democrats will not take your guns away.
The Democrats will not let illegal immigrants in
to take all your money and jobs!
The Democrats believe in the Constitution;
They will not destroy it.
They will improve our immigration system,
create safer gun laws,
protect Medicare
and preserve coverage of those with
pre-existing conditions.
Democrats will restore our foreign relations.
The Democrats will not kill all the unborn babies.
The right to control our own bodies
is not synonymous with unwarranted abortion!
As a life-long Christian and Republican
who has become a Democrat recently
(for obvious reasons),
I believe in the Right to Life.
But I also think a woman who carries a baby
because of rape or incest, or a woman
whose life is endangered
has the right to choose.
Don’t you?
Weigh the rhetoric and please believe me…
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
are Intrepid Christians!!
Can’t we just LOVE ONE ANOTHER
and stop hurling insults??
Thanks for visiting.
See ya tomorrow.
Love,
JanBeek
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
JanBeek 