Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Posts tagged ‘prayer’

Peace Like a River


I’ve got peace like a river
I’ve got joy like a fountain
I’ve got love like the ocean
I will share from my mountain

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=qdSywk_ztXk&feature=share
Click on the link above
to hear the wonderful Tabernacle Choir
sing “Peace Like a River.”

I’ve got peace like a river
I’ve got love like a river in my soul
I’ve got joy like a fountain
Shared joy makes me whole

Let us share Living Water
Let us share with one another
Let us share from the depths
Of our soul with sister and brother

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=y5L88vissW4&feature=share
Do you have time for
another beautiful, peaceful piece of music?
Click on the arrow above.
Be Still My Soul – – enjoy!!

Be still my soul and let
My God bring His peace
May the waves & winds be calm
In this world – and all strife decrease

Photo by Paweu0142 Fijau0142kowski on Pexels.com
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=a1J4Fa1e31w&feature=share
Where Can I Turn for Peace?
Listen and Believe!

God promises us His peace
A peace that passes understanding
It comes to us by His grace
Not by our demanding

So, do not be afraid, my friends
To show your weakness anytime
In this world of chaos and turmoil
We need a place sublime

That place is in our Lord’s presence
His Holy Spirit is here to guide
So take His peace and share it
Your sparkle cannot be denied

Let your sparkle of peace
Shine like a river
Peace be with you!

Thanks for visiting JanBeek on this lovely Sunday.
Be at peace, my friends.
I’ll see you tomorrow.
God bless you!

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, contentment, Faith, God, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, Montana, mountains, music, nature, peace, Poetry, prayer, Promises, relationships

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Welcome Awesome October!


I love October
When the leaves change their color.
Hold off the freeze, please!

Too soon icicles –
Winter comes too early here.
Hold off for awhile!

God bless the colors
That brighten our autumn days
Now, please stick around!

Happy October, my friends.
I send my love & hugs your way.

Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
Have a lovely October first!

Category:

blessings, Haiku, Love, Montana, nature, Poetry, trees, writing

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Just Be Kind


The story in today’s Daily Guideposts reminded me,
It doesn’t cost anything to be kind.

Just a simple “Thank you,” or “Please,”
Just a moment to reach out and lend a hand,
Can change someone’s entire day.
And it may impact those observing the kindness, too.

So, just be kind!

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.”

Matthew 7:12 ESV

In her story in Guideposts today, Erika Bentsen recounted how (back when she was only 17) she was waiting on a bus in Scotland for the departure time. The bus driver was busy telling stories to the attentive passengers. Suddenly the bus driver dashed from his seat to help a woman across the road who had dropped a package. Then he returned to his seat and continued his story telling.

When her aunt interrupted him and said, “That was awfully nice of you,” he shrugged it off saying, “It costs nothin’ to be kind.”

Years later, that conversation stuck with Erika. Her prayer at the bottom of the page reads,

“Dear Lord,
shower me with opportunities
to share kindness
until it becomes
as natural as breathing.”

Like Erika, I want kindness to be as natural as breathing. I know it is an attribute worth cultivating.
I pray every morning on my way down the stairs from my sanctuary. I thank God for the

  • love
  • joy, and
  • peace that are mine, and I ask God to help me with
  • patience
  • kindness
  • goodness
  • faithfulness (which brings blessings)
  • gentleness, and
  • self-control. I ask God to
  • help me live humbly with an attitude of gratitude, and a response of
  • generosity and
  • forgiveness,
  • obedience and
  • integrity.

Ask God to help you develop
a habit of kindness
so it is a natural as breathing to you.
Wouldn’t the world be a better place if everyone did that?

Kindness needs to be cultivated!

Who was the last person who was particularly kind to you?
What did he or she do?
I bet you remembered to say thank you!

Now, pass it on!!

I bet you do that everyday!!

Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
See you again tomorrow.
Be well!!

Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, Gratitude, kindness, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, prayer, relationships, respect, Serving One Another

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Back in the Swing


I’m getting back into the swing of things.
It’s not easy after being gone so long.
The 8 hour time change took its toll.
Awake at 2:30 AM feels so wrong!

Back to sleep a few hours later;
Waking at dawn feeling tired.
Gotta get my zip back again.
Connect to the Source and get wired!

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Wired to what, you may be asking…
Well, my home, faith, and community –
Thankful for those things and my family –
Grateful for vaccines and immunity.

A COVID outbreak occurred here
Exposure at a church funeral Saturday.
We were still in recovery mode, so didn’t attend.
Grateful we decided to stay home that day.

Daughter De and her husband, Andre’
Went on a road trip after we left.
I’m missing her lots already …
Knowing she’s OK, I’m not bereft.

Mike and Tania, the newlyweds,
Have been so kind to stay in touch.
They send us pictures from their honeymoon,
Knowing we miss the two of them so much!

Today I returned to my favorite volunteering
At the nursing home here in town.
I helped with the residents’ fun with Bingo.
Helping others picks me up if I’m feeling down.

Getting back into the swing of things –
Cooking, cleaning, laundry, volunteering
Catching up with the lives of dear friends –
Even on a gray, cold day makes me feel like cheering!

Mike & Tania’s beautiful silhouette in Italy

I can look back at the fun we had
And I can see my family from afar.
I can thank the Lord for safe travels
And thank them for letting us see where they are.

I can treasure the opportunities to travel
And share the highlights of our trip…
But it’s time to get back into the swing
Of things here in Montana. Come and sit!

Come walk in the park
and go for a swing with me!

Enjoy your Friday, my friends.
Have a great weekend.

I’ll see if I can get back with you Saturday.
Tell me what you’re up to…
What are you doing that makes you cheer?

I’ll keep you in my prayers.

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Family, happiness, life, Love, Memories, Poetry, relationships, Travel

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Wait Well


When have you waited?
Waiting well = watchful waiting.
We’re asked to do that!

Photo by MIXU on Pexels.com

Hurry up and wait:
The MOD of travel.
Relax! It is what it is.

We cannot change it.
Impatience doesn’t help it.
Waiting’s part of life.

Bob was asked to wait –
Prostate cancer diagnosed
A decade ago.

So watchful waiting
To see if the spot would grow:
Doctor’s instructions.

Don’t let it stop you!
Remember to keep living.
Remain positive.

Cryotherapy:
Therapeutic use of cold –
Froze all the prostate.

Don’t just cut it out!
Edges left can reproduce.
Freezing is the best.

Live to see your grands
Happily loving and wed.
Live while you’re living!

“Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:14

Know living in joy
Is a choice we all can make
No matter the pain.

Find yourself suffering?
Wondering how long you’ll live?
Praise every morning!

Praise every sunrise.
Pray for memorable days.
Look back “greatfully”

Avoid naysayers.
Set aside the “If Onlys” –
Live while you’re livin’ !

Mike and Tania

Mike on honeymoon
With his sweet new bride, Tania,
Enjoy Italy!

All seven of us
Enjoyed fun times together.
Livin’ the good life!

We waited so well
For our trip to Switzerland.
God sure blesses us.

God blesses you, too.
He wants you to live the good life.
So pray and wait well.

Good things come to those
Who pray and believe in Life.
Believe and “Wait Well” !


What are you waiting for?

See ya tomorrow

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Aging Gracefully, Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, contentment, Faith, Family, God, Gratitude, Haiku, health, Life's Challenges, Love, music, Poetry, prayer, Travel

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The Joy of Being (in Switzerland)


The joy of just being

Is certainly joy enough

But the joy of being in Switzerland

Is a joy that’s hard to beat – it’d be tough.

While friends and family back home

In California and Montana are roasting

We were enjoying comfy mid-seventies

And lovely meals and yummy wine toasting

Then the weather changed!

.

We were having ham with salad & sausage

At De & Andrés wonderful chalet

I came back to our room to post

And left Bob to finish dessert, but hey…

.

There were two girls outside

Hunkered under umbrellas in the rain

So I pointed to our inside table

And sent them to Bob – let me explain

He was having sorbet; I was done

My place at the table was free

He will love getting acquainted

And they will love his company!

This morning we cooled it in our room

Bob read and I enjoyed reading posts

The day started off rather quiet

More alone time than Swiss’s most

We went for a walk in Vissoie

And enjoyed every sight and each sound

We visited the local church and had

Time for prayer, finding God all around

“Daily Word” gave us the scripture

“Be glad in the Lord and rejoice”

Let nothing keep your joy from you-

Respond with a song; raise your voice!

Like a well that can never run dry

My joy is a wellspring from the Lord

I deal with whatever life brings me

With a smile – and I never am bored!

Keep your sense of humor alive

Find the joy in whatever you see

That poor bunny hit the door with a bang

Oh come on, have a good laugh with me!

There he is on the other side!!

.

The joy of being in Switzerland

Is part of the happiness of being alive

Well enough to travel and adapt

Thanking God each day we survive!

Thank you for traveling vicariously with us!

We love sharing with you. Take joy!

“Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.” Psalm 32:11

See ya tomorrow (God willing) –

Love, JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, contentment, God, Gratitude, happiness, Jesus, Love, optimism, Poetry

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Walking in Sierre


Today Denise (our son-in-law’s mom) took Bob & me on a walk in Sierre. Thirty years ago, when we first started coming here (when our first grandson was born), we would have jogged up the trails into the vineyards. Today we were content to take a leisurely walk on a relatively flatter terrain.

We walked up to the hospital where Mike was born. His grandpa was the chief executive officer there. André had been a chef in its kitchen before he came to California and married our daughter.

The grounds around the hospital are beautiful. Lots of trees and flowers and park benches where we could sit and take a break.

The leaves on the acacia trees are starting to show signs that autumn is coming. The grapevines are laden with fruit ready to be harvested.

Look at the base of this grapevine. It’s over 100 years old! All gnarled and twisted behind the protective wire fence.

I thought of Derrick & Jackie Knight and their beautiful garden when I saw these gorgeous rose bushes.

Beyond this water trough, with its constantly flowing fresh drinks for the cattle that used to come through this town, you can see the concrete sides of the round church. We went to mass there this morning with Denise. This morning I posted the sounds of the bells for you. Did you catch that blog?

I pray you had a beautiful Sunday, too, my friends. Tonight we’re going up to De’s chalet in Vissoie. We’ll be there all next week. Wait til you see it!

Oh, and tomorrow is DeAna’s birthday! Our DollyWolly will be 55. Can you believe it?

Our arthritic hands show our age – even if our active spirits deny it! Stay young in spirit, my friends. Thank God every day for the gift of another opportunity to live and play, breathe, and enjoy life. Live in the now! And stay vibrant!!

See ya tomorrow (God willing). Love, JanBeek

Category:

Aging Gracefully, blessings, children, Family, flowers, God, Gratitude, happiness, Love, nature, relationships, Travel, trees

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Lookin’ for Love


Lookin’ for love
In all the wrong places?
Lookin’ for love
On all the wrong faces?

Spent a lifetime lookin’
For just the right person?
The more you were searchin’
The more life would worsen?

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

You were born of love
And love is a given.
It’s yours to accept –
It’s a certain decision.

So you can stop lookin’
Outside of yourself!
Love is your birthright
God gave of Himself!

John 16:27

27 … the Father himself loves you
because you have loved me
and have believed
that I came from God.

In “These Days” one of my daily devotionals, Martin Wiles reminded me of the song, “Lookin’ for Love” released in 1980 as part of the soundtrack for the movie, Urban Cowboy. He reminded me that country singer, Johnny Lee, sang the song. I remember singing along. I found it on YouTube music. It inspired this blog. Click on the link below and have a listen!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=hIuryZ8JUJM&feature=share

Martin Wiles commented in the devotional, “The lyrics tell of someone who spent a lifetime looking for love in all the wrong places. They hoped to find someone who was also looking for love. After many failed attempts, they finally found the special person.”

The scripture that inspired the commentary is
Psalm 103:8
“The Lord is
merciful and gracious,
slow to anger
and abounding
in steadfast love.”

Martin Wiles continued,
“The Psalmist discovered God’s love.
Our world too often has a twisted definition of love,
defining it by emotions alone or confusing it with lust.
God demonstrates agape love
– an unconditional love
that keeps giving
whether we return it or not…”

So, I am encouraged to receive God’s love
and I ask God to help me love others
as God loves me.

I am not looking for love in all the wrong places.
I trust that you are not searching
in all the wrong places either.

I send my love to you,
dear WordPress friends.
Pass it on!

Look in all the right places!

See ya tomorrow (God willing),
Hugs, JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, God, Jesus, Living in Christ's Family, Love, music, Poetry, prayer, relationships

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Thursday Meditation


Just meditate on this scene;
Let the beauty soak into you.
Thank God for the beauty around you.
You’re blessed. You know it?

No human can recreate what God has done.
Meditate on the wonders of the universe.
Thank God for His many blessings,
And have a wonderful Thursday, OK?

Just 5 more days ’til we leave to go
To Switzerland for our grandson’s wedding.
We are anticipating the beauty we know
We will experience there. Come back…

I’ll share!

Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
God bless you!
See ya tomorrow (God willing)

Your prayers for our wise preparations and safe travel will be very much appreciated!

Click the link below
if you’d like to have an hour or so
of beautiful meditation music
(water sounds, flute, etc.)
while you count your blessings.

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=525KKRd_6Yo&feature=share

Category:

blessings, Faith, Gratitude, Living in Harmony, Love, mountains, music, nature, peace, Poetry

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Angels Watching Over Us


I have a guardian angel
Who is faithful – yes, indeed!
He’s saved me from disaster,
Been there for every need.

An angel guarded Angela,
Our Boston Terrier pup,
From dying when a rattlesnake
Bit her on her butt!

You have a guardian angel
Who’s watching over you.
I hope that you are grateful
And careful on your feet, too.

Sunday in church our pastor
Read a poem that touched my heart.
It conjured up my angel;
Who’s compassionate and smart.

Yours is, too!!
In fact, YOU may BE
somebody’s angel!
Serving love with glee.

“The World I Live In”
Mary Oliver

God of Grace, help us to see
Your angels at work among us,
lighting upon the unhoused in the street,
delivering cups of coffee,
Ziploc bags full of toiletries,
and deli sandwiches.

Help us honor Your angels
with our praise and gratitude –
the patient teacher, the loving parent,
the determined wildfire fighter,
the volunteer rescue worker,
the visitor of the elderly,
the sick and the imprisoned.

Give us eyes to see, O God,
your angels at work
and help us be among their ranks.

Click the link below and enjoy listening to Alabama sing for us “Angels Among Us.”

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=MONUVPD2S1Y&feature=share
Our Angela –
saved by God’s angel!

Angela’s angel was a vet
Who was in his office on a Sunday.
He had the vaccine and loving care.
She’d’a been gone by Monday!

We never know when God
calls on us to be
the angel to a friend in need.
Open your arms and eyes to see.

God bless you!

Thanks for checking in today.
You’re my visiting angel.
Let me be yours!
Gotcha in prayer.
Tell me how to pray for you specifically, OK?

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Animals, blessings, Faith, God, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, music, pets, Poetry, prayer, relationships, Serving One Another

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