Relax! Everything’s gonna be okay. Rest … things are coming your way. Open your heart; love’s here to stay. Everything’s coming together on this day.
“… to those loved by God the Father, called and kept safe by Jesus Christ, Relax! Everything’s gonna be alright. Rest, everything’s coming together. Open your hearts; Love is on its way.”
Jude 1:1-2 (MSG)
Relax and roll with the waves of life. Let go of any tensions or strife. Go hug your husband or wife, Or find a neighbor whose troubles are rife.
Sit and do nothing at all. Let your mind wander and sprawl. Relax and dream to enthrall The birds who come to your whistled call.
In these days of political strife With pundants telling us how to think It’s easy to get drawn off balance Easy to feel we’re drowning – gonna sink!
BUT, we’re not!! Read on…
Guideposts devotional, “Mornings With Jesus” elaborated on this theme today. Suzanne Davenport Tietjen wrote, “My soaking tub isn’t very big, but it’s deep – deep enough to float in. Floating might be my favorite thing now – but that would surprise my mother. She thought I’d never master it when I was a child. I was fine if my parent’s or swimming teacher’s arms supported me, but I panicked whenever they tried to transition me to floating on my back solo…
“Finally Mom convinced me to practice in the Gulf of Mexico, saying that I’d float higher in salt water. The difference was probably miniscule, but … I relaxed enough to lie back, rock on the waves, and float. All I needed to do was not do anything…
“It seems like a paradox, this doing something by relaxing into doing nothing. And paradoxically, I struggle with this in my walk with Jesus. I want to do. Jesus wants me to just be. To relax and roll with the waves of life. There is no need to be tense or on guard. … Lean back, let go, and trust Him that everything’s going to be all right.”
Today you are invited to lean on Jesus. Trust Him to help you roll with life. Lean back. Let go. Everything’s gonna be alright!
Christmas is coming You see it everywhere you look these days. But… It’s not a “Merry Christmas” I am wishing for you! It’s a “Mary Christmas!” That’s in contrast to a “Martha Christmas!”
Luke 10:38-42
New International Version
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.”
Are You Mary or Martha?
If I am not totally aware, it is easy for me to fall into the Martha role. Company is coming! I love entertaining.
But, if I am busy being Martha, I find at the end of the evening I didn’t engage in a meaningful conversation with anyone!
“Oh, Jan, Jan!” Jesus would say to me, “prepare for your guests in advance, so when they come, you can sit down and enjoy their company!”
But what if guests pop in unexpected? Should I be the Mary who lets Martha do all the work? Surely there is a happy medium here somewhere!
Work or Shirk?
If company pops in unexpected, drop everything and enjoy the surprise! They didn’t come to see your house. They probably didn’t come to eat your food. They are there to see you! So it’s not a question of work or shirk!
Put on a smirk – take off the apron – set aside the work!
If you convince them to stay and enjoy a snack or a meal with you, invite them in to your kitchen and continue to enjoy one another as you fix up some goodies together!
‘Tis the season to enjoy the love of company – ‘Tis the season to spread the joy and remember the reason for the season. It ain’t stressin’ yourself out with decorating, shopping, gift-wrapping, and entertaining like Martha!
It’s Mary – the Christ Child – the simplicity of the stable – the spontaneity of good friends – and the Good News!
Mary Christmas!
Have yourself a Mary Christmas!
Love to you… Pop in – and sit awhile! Let’s listen to some relaxing Christmas music and have a cup o’ tea or hot cocoa! Hugs, JanBeek
Elfchen or “Elevenies” are poems with eleven words in a pattern of 1+2+3+4+1
Embrace Spontaneous Leisure as you relax and enjoy life today: Sunday
Sunday mornings always are hurried “UP ‘N AT T’EM” days. Rush!
Shower. Get up. And get dressed. Then gobble your breakfast. Church!
(Click the arrow below)
Listen “Rush Hour” for a minute … Then click it off. Frenzy!
Happy? Not likely. That “Happy Hardcore” Destroys any residual sanity. Yuck!
(Go back and click outta that sound!)
Repetitive, nerve wracking… Who needs it? Put your feet up. Relax!
Wallow in silliness for a while; Find yourself some laughter. Chuckle!
Find some friends to join you. Good for your soul. Laze!
A few friends took me up on my suggestion yesterday. My silly blog was titled, “Embrace a Camel” and I really wentoff the deep end. One little friend got into a box and joined the insanity club!
How about you? Do you take a day to just be silly and relax every now and then?
It’s called “Spontaneous Leisure” and I recommend it!
Today we slept in. We dressed in a casual, leisurely fashion. We ate brunch at 10: am (our church didn’t ZOOM the service today or we would’ve tuned in to it) and then we went up to our sanctuary and had our own worship service up there.
It was just the break from routine that we needed!
Embrace Spontaneous Leisure. Just treat yourself Take an unintentional break – Relax
Jesus Accepts worship Wherever it occurs. God condones taking breaks. Recline!
Question: “What does the Bible say about rest and relaxation?”. Answer: “Rest” is defined as “peace, ease or refreshment.” “Relax” means “to become loose or less firm, to have a milder manner, to be less stiff.” The Bible speaks quite highly of rest.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Doctor ordered relaxation: Just sit back – Put your feet up – Chill!
I begin each day with devotionals That point me in the right direction. Then as I walk in His will the best I can, I try to spread His love and affection.
The “take-away” from each day’s reading Is a way to stay the true course. Let me share last month’s daily thoughts. “Daily Guideposts” was my source.
Daily Take-aways
Catch Problems Early
Support Others’ Efforts
Look for God’s Signs
Let Hope Abound
Embrace Today
Let God Lead You
Keep Moving Forward
Look for a Hopeful Future
Worship and Serve the Lord
Respond to Life Cheerfully
God Meets My Every Need
God’s Wellspring Quenches
Let God’s Word and Light Guide
Tend My Heart’s Garden Daily
Show Your Love and Appreciation
Trust God
Stop Worrying
Be Open to Opportunities
Be Thankful for Family
Trust God to Answer Prayer
Embrace Butterflies (Know the chrysalis important)
Listen for God’s Ah-Hahs!
Rest Secure in God’s Grip
Just Enjoy Life
Embrace Christ’s Power and Presence
We are One Family
Live Intentionally
See God’s Goodness
Fix Your Eyes on Jesus
Know God Knows
Thank God for Life!
Each sunrise is an opportunity To begin anew and make life better. Carry the daily take-away with you And live following Christ to the letter.
He led the way with His perfect life, Showing us how to love one another. He didn’t promise a bed of roses, Didn’t create puppets who would smother The good in each day or be down-trodden. God created us to be strong and tenacious. Gave us a heart we could stretch and broaden.
So, from sun up to sun down each day, Embrace the opportunities you are given To reach out in love and compassion And improve the place where you are livin’
What “Take-Away” speaks to you today? What can you embrace with open arms? What road beckons you to drive in and enter A place that needs your love and charms?
Embrace each day as a new beginning – A time to see what you can do To make the world a better place, And encourage those loved ones close to you.
How will you do that, my friend? What can you do to brighten the corner where you are?
My mom
My mom brightened her corner… That was one of the original “selfies” – (around 1989) Long before the word was coined with the use of our cell phones!
Such a character!!
Mmmmmm
I co-hosted fellowship after worship service today. Baked yummy, moist, gooey, chewy chocolate cupcakes… Mmmmm…
What will you do to brighten the corner where you are?
Can you find a quiet space right where you are? Can you share it with a pet or a partner and release your shoulders and your stress and enjoy life in the moment?
Get off the merry-go-round of life. Step down from the carousel of cares And unclench your jaw. Drop the tongue from the roof of your mouth And take a few very deep breaths.
This place is the best for me. I love living in Montana. After watching that video, Can you understand?
There’s no place like Montana, But Switzerland comes real close. Both have beautiful mountain majesty! I love visiting our family in Valais.
What places do you love? Where do you like to visit in this world? My grandson shared the following pictures today. Italy’s one of my other favorite places.
Mike and his girlfriend, Tania, Are vacationing in Italy this week. They are enjoying great days in the sun, Hiking, shopping, swimming, loving it!
Mike & Tania – such a cute couple!
Tania on a shopping trip in Italy
Tania – out for a swim – beautiful young lady, huh?
They have a great view from their balcony.
Meanwhile, back in Switzerland, my middle grandson, Nick, is out for a hike with his girlfriend, Celine.
So good to see Nick & Celine so happy!
What a place to hike, huh? That’s Nicky out there!
It’s hard to beat Swiss scenes like this!
Back in Sierre, Switzerland, our daughter, DeAna, is enjoying an afternoon with my youngest grandson, Chris
De and Chris in Sierre, Switzerland
This could be their hiking path.
Not to be outdone, our son, Ty, is enjoying life, too. He and his oldest son, Sam, are relaxing in the high Sierra-Nevada mountains. This is the view Ty sent me today:
Ty’s view from his hammock
Ah, summertime, and the livin’ is easy… Fish are jumpin’ and the mountains are high. On this lazy summer Sunday, what are YOU doing? I’m gonna post my sermon notes from this mornings message.
Then I’m gonna go enjoy the lovely outdoors, too. What are you doing this beautiful Sunday afternoon? Go out and appreciate the beauty around you, And remember to thank the Lord for His handiwork.
Tell me about your day… what did you do? If you could put yourself into one of those photos today, Which place would be best for you? I’m wishing this pandemic was over so I could go to one of them!
But, life is good… I’m not complaining. Thank God for the internet and for kids who care – Care enough to include Grammy & Grampy In their adventures today. Oh, how I love ’em!
See ya later. Thanks for visiting. Please leave your comment!
