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.
What secret power do you want?
Today was a day to embrace silence.
Put away the TV rhetoric.
Turn off the music and chatter.
Just listen to the silence.
Back in 2017 I wrote about silence.
Time to resurrect that post:
THE SOUND OF SILENCE
Silence is resounding in my ears.
Silence wipes away confusion and fears.
Silence speaks as all nature rings.
Silence breaks as songbird sings.
Silence whispers compassion’s song –
Let’s me contemplate yesterday’s wrong.
Allows God’s grace to fill this space
Instead of wallowing in my own disgrace.
Silence brings new life to God’s Word.
It lets the Holy Spirit speak and be heard.
It opens my heart to name the nameless
And enter their world blameless and shameless.
Open my heart, Lord, in silence to know
All that You’re saying, all that You show
Through challenges booming or hugs soft and sweet.
Help me to hear You in ALL that I meet.
Jan Beekman
11-30-2017
What is your power source?
Where do you get your ideas?
Today’s sermon on ZOOM with the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church
in Ennis, Montana, preached by the Rev. Steve Hundley
attributed our power source to
(well, what do you think a minister would say?)…
God
Jesus Christ’s teaching
The Word
Scripture
Of course!
Steve began his sermon today with a children’s message. He shared this (paraphrased by me, of course):
My dad was a forester. He used to cruise the timber to decide what to cut and what to leave to keep the forest healthy. He usually went with a fellow forester – a guy who was not known for his great sense of direction. They would head out in different directions, and when it was time to regroup, my dad told his partner that he’d call out. “You answer,” he told him, “and I’ll call again. Back and forth until you find your way back.”
But, what happened was an ole hoot owl responded back to his partner when he called out, and he followed the direction of the owl. It got him way off track. When my dad realized what was happening, he honked the horn of the truck, and finally the two men were able to reconnect and head for home.
Moral of the story: Listening to the wrong voice can get us lost. We need to listen to the voice and teachings of Christ in order to stay on the right path.
The Church’s Spiritual Power Source
(Inspired by Mark 1:21-28 – story of Jesus’ teaching in the synagogue
and being interrupted by a man who was demon-possessed)
The people of the church
Were astounded when Jesus
Taught with authority –
More astounded than by exorcism.
When we think of a teacher image,
We rarely think of provocative
We have our dull stereotypes.
But Jesus, the Teacher, was rare.
Wouldn’t you think His act
Of removing an evil force
Would have trumped the act
Of teaching the Word of God?
No, removal of an unclean spirit
Was not what the people raved about.
It was Jesus, the Teacher, who
Inspired the people to be amazed.
Do Jesus’ teachings still have
The power to transform and amaze?
Do Jesus’ teachings still have
The power to unite and inspire?
The teachings of Jesus and the
Growing of churches and believers
Are synonymous; did you know that?
Let’s join a weekly Bible Study.
Listen to the right voice…
The voice of Jesus telling His parables.
I’ll lead a Bible Study and we’ll all
Tune in to Jesus’ voice – OK?
Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM.
We’ll begin with Luke 15:11-24.
It’s the story of the Prodigal Son.
Look for your ZOOM invitation.
Invite a friend to join us!
Hope you had a wonderful Sunday.
Enjoy your evening.
See you tomorrow.
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
Let me know if you’d like a ZOOM invitation to join us.
If so, send me an e-mail address.
Embrace Your Power Source!
Do you have a burning question?
As a teacher of elementary children for nearly a quarter of a century and the mom of two very curious children, I can tell you that one of the most annoying questions is “Why?”
I remember the day I finally asked my father, “Why not?” when he told me NO. I was about 20 years old! Can you imagine? Being raised in a family where when Dad said, “No,” that was final? No questions asked. Just obey?
My kids were not like that. It was a different era. They asked, “Why?” before they knew how to say, “Chocolate!”
I think a measure of a child’s intelligence
may be how many times s/he asks “Why?”
The explorations,
poking,
questioning,
prodding,
relentless
inquisitive nature
of some children and adults
can be downright annoying,
though.
The path may not be a straight one…
And it may be hard to determine where it leads,
but curiosity will keep you (and them) moving forward.
There is a huge NEED to know what’s beyond the bend!
As parents and teachers
we sometimes want to shield our children
from the unknown.
There may be danger out there.
I had a tendency to be protective.
I know that’s where my dad was coming from
when he said, “No!”
But squelching curiosity
because of fear of the unknown
is a dangerous path.
It can lead to many
missed opportunities
and
lost happiness.
Instead of being annoyed
by the “Why?” and the “Why not?”
we need to teach ourselves
and our children the importance of
always questioning.
Accepting “No”
for an answer
without questioning
can lead to
stagnation.
Instead of squelching curiosity,
let’s turn our questioning into
research with a purpose.
Curious people don’t just look
Curious people see
Curious people don’t just see
Curious people question
Curious people don’t just question
Curious people probe
With a thirst for answers,
Curious people are relentless.
They keep asking until
They find answers that satisfy.
Curiosity changes our perceptions.
It changes our way of seeing things.
It helps us gain the wisdom
That less curious people
Spend a life-time chasing.
Francoise Sagan is credited with that quote.
Who was he?
Are you curious?
I was.
“Françoise Sagan (born Françoise Delphine Quoirez; 21 June 1935 – 24 September 2004) was a French playwright, novelist, and screenwriter. Sagan was known for works with strong romantic themes involving wealthy and disillusioned bourgeois characters. Her best-known novel was her first – Bonjour Tristesse (1954) – which was written when she was a teenager.
Want to know more?
Put her name in your Google search engine.
We are so blessed to have an encyclopedia at our fingertips.
Folks with insatiable appetites for answers
can ask the who, what, why, when, and how questions
and Siri or Alexa or Wikipedia are right there.
What a gift these are to the curious.
EMBRACE CURIOSITY!
Let your “Why?”
be followed by
active listening,
thoughtful reading,
and the
explorations,
poking,
questioning,
prodding,
trying again,
inquisitive nature
that those children and adults
exhibited who were
downright annoying.
Go ahead!
Be annoying!
Thanks for visiting
JanBeek
today.
I’m curious.
What are you up to?
What are you curious about?
An Elfchen is an Elevensie …
A poetic form that has 11 words,
1+2+3+4+1 = 11
It’s fun. Try it!
Open
Your petals
To fully bloom
Takes time; Embrace patience
Love
Love
Flows out
And creates beauty
From what was dormant
Shine!
Slow
And steady
Wins the race
Take each step faithfully
Patience
Disagreements
Become larger
When they smoulder
Bring them to light
Patiently
Hostility
Becomes Hatred
When we’re misunderstood
Explore ideas with respect
Honor
Exercise compassion with
love
consideration
and
respect
Embrace Patience
“The Word was the Source
of Light and Life”
Today’s message from Rev. Steve Hundley
at the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church
in Ennis, Montana was titled
“God’s Creative Word.”
The scripture reference was
John 1:1-18
(with reinforcements from Genesis)
God’s Creative Word
Trying to decipher John’s
Interpretation of Christ’s birth
Is like trying to grasp smoke.
He says God’s Word created the earth.
And he explained that the Word
Was the Light and the Life – – – Rejoice!
He speaks as John the Apostle
And switches to a heavenly voice.
John strips away the layers covering
The original Word of God to earth.
He helps us hear with spiritual ears
The meaning of Christ’s unusual birth.
The Book of John is ethereal
As he shares God’s creative power.
He emphasizes that saying is doing
Words are like a bud that produces flower.
So, when we say something,
We need to think of the impact
Those words have on others.
Words spoken ripple out – no taking them back!
Just as God’s Word has the power
To create light out of darkness,
Our words also have the power
To create beauty out of starkness.
So, a lesson of John’s Gospel
Is to warn us: Watch what you speak!
If you speak untruths carelessly,
The results will not be what you seek.
Life and death are in the power
Of the tongue – – – We eat its fruit.
If you want your daily meal sweet,
Use your tongue’s power for Truth.
The Word became flesh and made
His home among us – He appeared
In the form of our Savior, Jesus.
Start here – Start where darkness was cleared.
Be Light for a Dark World.
Everlasting God,
remind us again
that Your Son is the light of the world,
the way, the truth, and the life.
Lead us by your light and truth.
Looking for Jesus,
let us find Him
knowing that it is He
who has come looking for us.
Embrace the Word, my friends.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.“
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
I’ll see you tomorrow.
“Celebrating the Power of Friendship” is the title of a month-long focus on a friend’s chosen devotional website. On the site today, it said: “Although we are not currently meeting in person, there is no distance between souls and the bond of friendship we share…”
I feel that bond of friendship with you, my WordPress friends, just as I do with family and friends who have reached out to Bob & me during this past week of death and tribulation. Thank you so much!
I can’t count the billions
Of dollars my friends are worth.
They make living worthwhile;
They fill my life with mirth.
When times are sad and troubling,
They reach out with care and love.
Friends are earthly angels
Sent from heaven above.
My friend sent this card to me;
It came right out of the blue,
When I really needed it the most.
Do your friends do that for you?
I hope you have some friends
Who tromp daily on your heart,
Leaving footprints all over it.
I’m here to tromp on yours. Let’s start!
There is power in such friendships.
They turn dark days into bright.
They listen and they love us, and
They help things turn out right.
Thanks for popping in.
Thanks for being the friends who watch and sit and read with me.
Wish you could walk and eat with me, too.
Enjoy the kids’ song below. It’s a catchy tune.
It’ll have you singing all day long!!
Have a Fabulous Friday.
I love you!
See ya tomorrow.
JanBeek
It’s a crappy day
A gray and cloudy Tuesday
There’s no place to go
California’s far
For a one day drive in car
And flying is out
Switzerland’s too far
To drive, fly, or even swim
It’s a crappy time
I want to hug them
I want to see my grandkids
One has a birthday
This week is her day
To celebrate twenty-six
No, I can’t be there
Are you feeling it?
Is your separation tough?
Is your day crappy?
We just want to love –
Love one another right here
Is there a good way?
Thank God for the Net
Thank God for phones and e-cards
Thank God for your life
Gratitude’s the key
For changing crappy to good
Do you feel thankful?
Thank God you’re alive
Thank Him for your daily bread
Reach out to your friends
Write a card today
Put it in the mailbox
Brighten someone’s mood
Personalize it
With a special note from you
Let shared love cheer you
And if you live close,
You might deliver a piece
Of your berry pie
Or the cinnamon
Sticks you learned to make from Mom
Who never wasted
The left-over dough
Does that memory bring smiles?
It does that for me!
Day’s not so crappy
When you reach out with a smile;
So, try it yourself!
Don’t think of crappy
Think of happiness instead
You are what you think!
Thanks for visiting
JanBeek
and sharing below a little bit
about what you did
to change
crappy to happy
for you and your loved ones today.
This is the cover of a little book that belonged to my mother-in-law.
I inherited it from her. The circle stain was created one morning when she set her tea cup on it. She was mortified! It didn’t spoil the book, though. The contents still are as precious as ever.
Bob’s sister gave the book to her in 1975 for Mother’s Day. Grandma Beekman treasured it, and read its inspirational quotes on a regular basis during her morning prayer time.
Here are a few of my favorites:
I like this last one a lot. Look at some of the ways it has been translated:
New International Version
Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see?
New Living Translation
Is he deaf—the one who made your ears? Is he blind—the one who formed your eyes?
Berean Study Bible
He who affixed the ear, can He not hear? He who formed the eye, can He not see?
Christian Standard Bible
Can the one who shaped the ear not hear, the one who formed the eye not see?
Contemporary English Version
God gave us ears and eyes! Can’t he hear and see?
Good News Translation
God made our ears–can’t he hear? He made our eyes–can’t he see?
International Standard Version
The one who formed the ear can hear, can he not? The one who made the eyes can see, can he not?
GOD’S WORD® Translation
God created ears. Do you think he can’t hear? He formed eyes. Do you think he can’t see?
American King James Version
He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? He that formed the eye, shall he not see?
World English Bible
He who implanted the ear, won’t he hear? He who formed the eye, won’t he see?
Two questions…
no matter how you word them,
the answer is always the same.
YES!
He hears.
YES!
He sees.
Reading the Guideposts magazine this morning,
this quote reinforced what we know:
So, that’s the bottom line.
There is joy and power in prayer.
God hears.
God sees.
God answers prayer.
Prove that reality…
Just pray!
We are a divided country.
The words “they” and “them”
are heard more frequently today
than ever before in my 80 years of life.
What is causing this?
And what can we do about it?
Here is one man’s suggestion.
I think it is so true.
Right on!
It’s as true in China (where the Corona virus is rampant,
and citizens are bravely speaking out against
a government that acted slowly
on the knowledge of the virus),
as it is in the USA where
election rhetoric
is hateful and divisive.
So how do we begin to “fight for each other?”
From his prison cell in Rome, Paul wrote to the people of Colosse. He had visited there before his imprisonment. His letter to them in the book of Colossians was written to encourage them, just as we, the people of this divided world, need encouragement today.
Colossians 2: 1-3
“I want you to know how much I am struggling for you… and for all those who have not met me personally. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart, and united in love, so they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”Colossians 2:8
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of the world rather than on Christ.”
Colossians 3:12-14
“Therefore… clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive what ever grievances you may have against one another… And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Yes, the Bible has words of wisdom, words of advise for ALL in times of trouble. We need only open its pages to find scripture that directs our paths toward the unity we all seek. In Colossians, Paul tells us to put on:
… and in so doing, we will find the peace of Christ living in our hearts.
We are members of one body.
We are ONE.
We need to know that without a doubt
and act accordingly.
Don’t let hateful rhetoric divide our oneness
into the “they-them” and “we-us” mentality!
We’re all in this together.
Let’s be whole!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
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
janbeek 