Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Posts tagged ‘scripture’

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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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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Fall into Autumn


Fall
Summer’s gone
Experiencing cooler weather
Enjoying the changing colors
Autumn

(Elfchen are poems with 11 words
The pattern is 1+2+3+4+1)
I enjoy reading Richard’s at Big Sky Buckeye

Changes
Green – Orange
Temperatures affect them
They decorate the branches
Leaves

Gifts
From friends
Adorn my table
A beautifully painted gourd
Sunflowers

Quotes
Inspire me
Pass them along
Let them inspire others
Enjoy

Colors
God’s creations
Painted for us
Joys of the Season
Autumn

Hues
Of pink
Blend with green
Change their hues daily
Fall

Workers
Man’s creations
Ease our load
Make our farming easier
Tractors

Problems
Trouble us
Turn to God
He will comfort you
Peace

Peace my friends!
Have a love-filled week!

I will fall into autumn…
But no more falls, broken fingers or skulls…
Bee safe, my friends!

See ya tomorrow (maybe)- hah!
JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, contentment, Faith, flowers, God, Love, nature, Poetry, trees

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Blessed to Be Home


Travel is wonderful
It takes us to friends
It connects us with family
Our little world extends

DeDe, our daughter, was a wonderful chauffeur

Visiting family is a treat
Especially on special occasions
Participating in events
Receiving honored invitations

Our oldest grandson, Mike
Married the love of his life
We were blessed to be there
When they became husband and wife

Mike and Tania were sweet –
Sent us photos from their honeymoon
Some of the scenery was
Enough to make us swoon

Love is beautiful when it’s new
Full of promise and creating dreams
God blesses those who build hopes
On His Word and what it means

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy,
it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.”

While we were blessed
To be able to go and see
Our loved ones who live afar,
Home is indeed a great place to be.

I loved being able to go
Up into my sanctuary again
To spend time with my angels
And time in prayer – Amen!

(Yes, I know you can pray
Anywhere you are – every day –
But there’s something about a place
Set aside for that in a special way)

We loved being able to have
Bob’s former student and his wife
Come and spend time with us –
Sharing our home – sharing our life.

So glad Peter & Alice Martin came to visit!

Returning to our church family
Was a treat for us as well –
There is comfort and joy
Being where Christian friends dwell

One of my dear Ennis buddies
Took care of my plants while we were gone
Another came and took care of our yard
Checking the flowers and mowing the lawn

Enjoying the company of our pup
Is another bonus of being home
Our TazE is twelve years old now
She’s loved by dear friends when we roam

Ah yes, it’s a blessing to be home
We appreciate from the bottom of our heart
All that our family and friends did
But we miss our bed and pillow when we’re apart!

We certainly enjoyed Andre’s phenomenal cooking
All the Swiss cheese and bread it contained…
But it’s time to return to my cooking each day –
While we take off the pounds we both gained!

Come visit us, dear friends.
We’d love to see you here.
We’ll take you to Dave’s Sushi –
In Bozeman – a city that’s pretty near.

Or… just feed you here at home –
It’s a blessing to be here, you know.
And a blessing to travel and see family –
Where is a spot that you’d like to go?

Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, Family, friendship, Gratitude, Love, Memories, music, pets, Poetry, relationships, 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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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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Eyes Ahead


Photo by Gratisography on Pexels.com

Eyes Ahead

Keep looking ahead
Don’t look backward instead
Keep your balance upright
And your future in sight

Don’t be in a hurry
You don’t need to scurry
Be ever expectant
But, don’t be a contestant

We’re part of a whole
Connection’s our goal
Slow down and discover
We can lean on each other

May your eyes look ahead
And read what is said
About those in distress
Who live in a mess

Because they don’t pause
And look at the cause
Of the trouble they’re in
It stems from within

They rush here and there
Seldom are they aware
Of the joy that’s ahead
If they’d slow down instead

So keep your eyes looking up
Let the calm fill your cup
As you savor each day
Spreading love on your way.

In his book, Ever Faithful,
David Jeremiah reminded me
in today’s devotional
that there is something
to rejoice in,
give thanks for,
and pray about
around every curve.
He referenced this scripture:

Thessalonians 5:16-18

“16 Rejoice always,
17 pray continually,
18 give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

David Jeremiah reminds us that looking ahead
– keeping your eyes focused on the path
is the important task at hand.
Do not be hurried!
“Real joy in life comes not to the hurried, but to the expectant-
those eager for new experiences and discovery.

There are encounters,
discoveries,
people,
events,
opportunities,
blessings
and challenges
to be found.”

Photo by James Wheeler on Pexels.com
Seldom straight or smooth

John 16:13

“However, when He,
the spirit of truth has come,
He will guide you into all truth.”

Today, trust the Holy Spirit
to guide you
as you travel your chosen path.
Keep your eyes looking ahead.

David Jeremiah invites us to
“Keep your eyes and arms open
to embrace what you discover.”

I’m gonna do that.
I’m gonna ask the Holy Spirit
to lead me to a new, peaceful path.
And I’m gonna keep my eyes
looking ahead.

How about you?

Thanks for joining me today.
See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Love,
JanBeek

Category:

Bible Lessons, contentment, Faith, God, happiness, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, mental health, music, peace, Poetry, Travel

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Finding Grace


What is grace?

There are several meanings.
One is the unmerited gift from God – referenced above.

Another is:

“disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency” …

Each of us has the capacity to act with grace.

When we respond to others with kindness, we are passing along the grace we are given.

Where do we find grace?

  1. Grace is a gift from God
  2. Grace is inside you
  3. Grace is all around you
  4. Grace multiplies when you give it

You have grace in abundance to give.
When you reach out in love
you are giving grace upon grace.

2 Corinthians 9:8

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you,
that you, always having all sufficiency in all things,
may have an abundance for every good work.”

(NKJV)

One of the definitions of grace
involved the word “clemency.”

It is the willingness or ability to moderate the severity of a punishment
or
an act or instance of mercy, compassion, or forgiveness.

We all know that a life lived well
is a life lived with compassion,
a life filled with forgiveness of others
as well as of ourselves.

We all need to practice clemency!

Find grace in your heart.
Let forgiveness and compassion be your first response!
When we are merciful, we receive mercy in return.

Today’s post was inspired by today’s devotional in Mornings with Jesus.
Gwen Faulkenberry wrote a creative take on Hebrews 4:16,
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

She imagined a beggar approaching a palace,
being turned away by the butler,
but welcomed with open arms by the prince
who brings the starving man to the queen.
When she sees him approaching,
she jumps from her throne,
runs to him, and says,
“Come in! Come in! How can I help you today?”

Gwen invites us in the “Faith Step” at the bottom of the page
to imagine ourselves as the man
and imagine the queen as God.
What would you ask if you weren’t afraid?

God of grace gives us all the grace we need…
and continues to gift us with the compassion,
kindness, and courtesy we need in order
to pass it on to others freely.

Knowing you have received grace upon grace,
approaching the throne of God,
what would you ask Him for?

I asked for healing of this broken finger,
(it was in there under all that wrapping),
renewed strength in this left hand,
renewed balance so I could stop falling,
and a healing of my head’s 8 stitches
before we head for our daughter’s
in Switzerland later this month.
God is answering my prayers…
in His perfect timing (as always).

What will you ask for?

See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Love to you,
from JanBeek

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, God, health, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, peace, prayer, relationships

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SHARE JOY!


The joy that’s comin’
Is here if you’re hummin’
Git yer guitar and start strummin’
Yer smile’s quite becommin’

I found the beauty today
In weeds I saw along the way.
Many folks would probably say
Pull ’em out – or douse ’em with spray!

Joy is a part o’ yer make-up.
It’s inside ya ready to take up
Residence and cause a shake-up;
So smile and light yer face up!

And a joyful face
is good medicine fir others!

Just let yer heart glow
With the joy that ya know
Is inside; Let it show!
Let yer love flow.

Luke 8:16

A Lamp on a Stand

16 “No one lights a lamp
and hides it in a clay jar
or puts it under a bed.
Instead, they put it on a stand,
so that those who come in
can see the light.”

I let my light shine.
It’s part of my design.
Lips aren’t a straight line –
They should curve up real fine!

Smilin’ makes ya feel better;
So, my friends, be a trend setter!
Turn off sorrow; don’t be a fretter.
You look so much better when you SMILE!

Let yer joy be real clear.
Share it with those you hold dear.
Give it to those far and near
Who need your brand of cheer.

Picture it radiating
And wiping out all hating.
Picture it pulsating
And erasing what’s frustrating.

Yup, this bears repeating:

Joy is a part o’ your make-up.
It’s inside ya ready to take up
Residence and cause a shake-up;
So smile and light yer face up!

Spread Joy!

How do you plan to do that today?
Just smile!!

See ya tomorrow (God willing)
Joyfully,
JanBeek

Bye for now!

Category:

Bible Lessons, friendship, Giving, God, happiness, Life's Challenges, Living in Harmony, Love, mental health, music, optimism, Poetry, relationships, Serving One Another

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Enough!


The poem above is an edited version of an original by Bob Perks. I first read his poem about two decades ago. It spoke to me. Like the one above, it did not give credit to the poet, so I credited “Anonymous.” I posted it on my FaceBook page or somewhere (I wasn’t on WP yet at that time).

I heard from Bob Perks. He was irate! People were posting his poem, tweaking it, and not giving him credit. I had done so innocently. Maybe others were as unknowing as I.

Is it OK to use someone else’s words without acknowledging them? Bob Perks said, “No, that’s plagiarism!”

But if you saw the poem posted as I did, without an author’s name, how would you go about researching who wrote it?

In today’s world, I just “Googled it!” I found this version:

Is that really Bob Perks’ original version? How can I tell? And is it ok for some company to put it on a plaque and sell it for profit without the poet getting some kind of royalty? Did Bob Perks copyright it? I don’t know.

I have mixed feelings on this subject – because I have always believed that when someone steals your idea it is a form of flattery. After all, they liked it that much, right?

People have been doing that with Jesus’ words and ideas for centuries.

Did Nancy DeMoss really create that idea?

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

People always are rephrasing Jesus’ words.
There are countless translations of the Bible
and dozens of books that paraphrase it.
But, they do not take the ideas
without giving credit to the creator,
do they?

So, is it OK to be a copycat
without acknowledgement?

Depends… depends on who you’re copying and why!
Sometimes copying is considered a cheap form of imitation.

As an elementary school principal, I used encourage my teachers to share their good ideas with others – and be happy if someone copied their method, stole their lesson plan, or imitated their teaching style. It’s OK to go beyond admiring an idea. It’s OK to use it, embellish it, improve upon it, personalize it. Is it enough to just recognize the other for their inspiration? If you copy, do you need permission?

In our WordPress world, we try to ask permission before reposting someone’s idea. If we don’t get an answer, is it enough to just acknowledge the source?

Lee Ann Womack advocates originality.

I believe Bob Perk’s poem is a beautiful original.
He deserves to receive credit for it.
I wish him ENOUGH accolades
to satisfy his heart’s content.
I love following his ideas
even today on FaceBook.
https://www.facebook.com/bob.perks

His website is about
Starting Over…
New Beginnings

I bet Bob Perks has had ENOUGH of this rewriting of his poem and people copying and tweaking it. I bet he is ready to move on… start over … reinvent his image. As a writer, he now says he is a “Speaker” and a “Vocalist.” He’s said ENOUGH of that old life. Let’s begin again. His website says, “Starting Over Again” at the top of it.

I am an orginal.
You are an original.
There is no one else on earth like you.
Your eyes are only yours.
Your fingerprints are only yours.
Your voice is an original – only yours!
Celebrate your originality!

Cheers!

Loved having you visit today.
Come back again tomorrow
and celebrate my birthday with me, OK?
I wish you enough!

Hugs,
JanBeek

Category:

blogging, Gratitude, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, Poetry, relationships, respect, self-esteem, teaching, writing

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