Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Posts tagged ‘storms’

High and Dry

Here we are today
High and dry in Placerville
Grateful for the warmth

Looking at the storm
From inside a comfy house
Thanking God for life

Feeling very blessed
A good book and some coffee
Listening to rain

Shhh! Hear the raindrops fall.., Well, you can imagine it, can’t you?

Grateful for the warmth
And the hospitality
Of our sweet family

Praying that you, also
Are safe and feeling God’s peace
Ready for what comes

God bless you today
May you know you’re in His care
Never be afraid

Friends, stay high and dry
Rise above all of the storms
Secure and at peace

My beloved son, Ty, and me
Safe and secure from all alarm
God protect you from all harm

Have a blessed day.
I send you my love today.

Hugs,
JanBeek

Are You Ready?

Hey, are you ready
For this twenty twenty-three
New for you and me

At Cannery Row
In lovely Monterey Bay
We had a great lunch

In the house next door
To where we are staying now
A huge tree fell down

It went through the roof
Destroying the entire house
Feeling so sorry

Morning in Carmel
Was sunny and beautiful
A break in the storm.

What beautiful friends
We shared a couple days with
Life’s full of blessings

We’re with Bob’s brother
At his home in Pebble Beach
Grateful no trees fell

Thankful for family
More than grateful for our friends
Pray for safe travels

Tomorrow we will
Return to our son, Ty’s place
Weather permitting

Hey, are you ready
For this twenty twenty-three
New for you and me?

I am!!

Happy Cheers, my friends!
See ya tomorrow – hopefully.

Love,
JanBeek

Pacific Coast Storm

The storms that ushered in the 2023 new year
along the Pacific coast in California were amazing!
These waves, called “King Tides” were between
45 and 50 feet tall!

The swells were increased by winds up to 50 mph on New Years eve
and they crashed into the shores, washing away the cliffs,
bringing houses down into the ocean.

The winds also brought down trees
all over the Carmel, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach area
where we are visiting family and friends.
Fortunately, our friends did not lose any trees,
but their neighbors had a tree land on their house.

Down the road a bit some houses were completely destroyed.
Large trees were totally uprooted.
Amazingly we have not heard of any deaths.

Can you imagine having this happening to your vehicle?
Driving in this area is dangerous at best right now.
Roads are washed out and trees have fallen across roadways.

My heart goes out to the people who have lost homes, businesses, vehicles, etc.
We are feeling so grateful that our friends have not lost any of those things.
Bob’s brother and sister-in-law have lost power and water service in their home,
and their neighbor’s house has a tree in the middle of the roof, but no one was hurt.

The ocean along this central Pacific coast is beautiful,
but given the rains and heavy winds of this last week,
it can be treacherous. Many of the homes and businesses
that built too close to the shore are regretting it today.

When we started our trip from Paso Robles to Pebble Beach,
God sent a rainbow. It was an amazing sign telling us
He would be with us – and our trip would be a safe one.
God is good!

I have some wonderful photos of us with family/friends here…
I will post some tomorrow.
Right now, I just want to enjoy their company.
Carpe’ Diem! Right? Bee present.

Are you Ready
for whatever 2023 brings your way?

See ya tomorrow.
Hugs,
JanBeek

Life’s a Storm

Life is a snow storm
Each moment a falling flake
Some flutter slowly down
Others dash in piles and cake

Life’s a raging storm
Snow piles high and deep
Troubles mount and stack up
Creating challenges so steep

Friends who saw our plight
Came to lend a hand – Woohoo!
Thank God for Whooter,
the Welnas & Knapton two.

All around the world
Reach out to take a stand
You may not need a snowplow
Just a shovel and a hand

Our ramp was filled with snow
That froze and turned to ice
Those neighbors came to save us
So helpful – yes, so nice!

We couldn’t be more grateful
They cleared a pathway, too
So we could back the car out
We’re doubly blessed; aren’t you?

Photo by Anna Tarazevich on Pexels.com

As world-wide neighbors we see
Friends far and near needing aid
We step up whenever we can
Not expecting to be paid

But in today’s troubled world
We see the flakes raging high
The snow storm of war creates
Ice mounds pounding the sky

No bobcat or shovel budges
The pile of flakes turned to ice
Sending in helpers costs lives
We weigh options and think twice

Will things be alright
In Ukraine and the USA?
What can we do to stop
This mournful storm today?

Pray for this stormy crises to end
Pray for a true world peace
Pray for leaders with malicious intent
To come to their senses. Release!

Release intentions to kill
Release the need to do harm
Disperse the storm clouds today
Commit today to disarm.

Photo by Snapwire on Pexels.com

Pray for Freedom and Peace in the Ukraine

Pray for:
Freedom over tyranny
Peace over war
Calm over storm
Life over death
Love over hate

In Jesus name,
Amen


Be warm,
be safe,
be well,
and pray for peace
in today’s stormy world.
Hugs!

Thank you for visiting JanBeek today
See you tomorrow (God willing)

All But Love Will Cease

Do you know this song?

O for a World

O for a world where everyone respects each other’s ways,

Where love is lived and all is done with justice and with praise.

O for a world where goods are shared and misery relieved,

Where truth is spoken, children spared, equality achieved.

We welcome one world family and struggle with each choice

That opens us to unity and gives our vision voice.

The poor are rich, the weak are strong, the foolish ones are wise.

Tell all who mourn, outcasts belong, who perishes will rise.

O for a world preparing for God’s glorious reign of peace,

Where time and tears will be no more, and all but love will cease.

And all but love will cease!

And no more hail storms will destroy our beautiful geraniums!!!!

We came back from our trip to Bozeman today and found our beautiful baskets of flowers and boxes of geraniums were TOAST!! Look at what we found on our front porch:

Yes, those are hailstones.
Hey God, it’s August!! Not December…
This is not okay!!
They were so beautiful just this morning!!
Look at the size of them!!
We’re grateful Bob’s pickup wasn’t dented!

O for a world preparing for God’s glorious reign of peace,
Where time and tears will be no more, and all but love will cease.
And August hailstorms will cease to be…
and our flowers will thrive – – –
Lord, please!!

They’ll come back like this, right?

Have a wonderful end of your week, dear friends.

There’s my beautiful Thursday sunset.
Ready to post where All But Love Will Cease.

See ya Friday.
Love,
JanBeek

Everyone’s Hurting

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Remember that everyone’s hurting
In one way or another.
Everyone has burdens deep
Some under long-buried cover.

Remember everyone’s in need
Of our love and empathy.
They may not tell us why;
They may try to hide it from you and me –

But everyone is hurting.

Photo by Aloïs Moubax on Pexels.com

“We may all be in the same storm, but we’re not all in the same boat,” said Inez Barron, a New York City councilwoman.

Photo by Nick Kwan on Pexels.com

As I sit in my comfy living room
Far away from a march or a riot,
I feel the storm from a distance.
It adversely affects my daily diet.

I taste the bitter injustice
As I watch discrepancies on screen.
I see the deaths, feel the pain,
And cry at how it demeans.

Demeans the dignity of life,
Demeans the intent of our Maker,
Affects the vulnerable poor, marginalized –
Slams them down with each breaker.

Photo by Philippe Donn on Pexels.com

Lightening may strike my neighbor –
But it doesn’t leave me unscathed.
I feel the storms all around me.
I understand the outraged.

I, too, am angry at COVID-19
For the way it has taken its toll
On the most compromised among us.
But the virus does not pigeonhole.

Like the injustice of racism,
The virus and the prejudice tumble
Across everyone in the storm’s path.
We all feel the hate of their rumble.

Photo by Johan Bos on Pexels.com

As we work to eradicate COVID
By our adherence to following guides,
May we work to eradicate prejudice
By the way that we live daily lives.

May we live with respect for each other.
May we notice and feel each one’s pain,
And remember that everyone’s hurting.
Share love and shelter – come walk with me

out of the rain.

Photo by Flickr on Pexels.com

Lord, help us see and understand
Each other’s pain,
And help us be part of the solution
Not the problems.
Amen

Have a healthy, love-filled Sunday.
See ya tomorrow.
Hugs,
JanBeek



What’s Happiness?

Sometimes you design
A plan for your happiness,
But it comes from God.

Happiness bubbles
Up from a pure, grateful heart.
It’s being child-like!

Not childish, mind you!
Not irresponsible plans,
But innocent faith.

Happiness is life
Lived in anticipation
Of a bright sunrise.


It is the belief
That sunsets just mean rest time
And a new day dawns.

Christine Migneau Photography
Beautiful Montana

Happiness is faith
That flowers will grow in shade
And we’ll grow in storms!

Paul Holdorf Photography

When life gives you storms
Share your umbrella in love.
Feel your heart expand!

Photo by Designecologist on Pexels.com

Are you feeling blue?
Have the storms gotten you down?
Give it all to God.

Have a restful night
and a Happy Tomorrow.
See ya then.

JanBeek


Understanding and Umbrellas

Understanding
was the first “U” word

that popped into my mind
when searching for
the quality we ALL need
to
add more meaning
and
find greater purpose
in life.

 

man and woman holding hands on brown wooden table

Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

 

Understanding and Wisdom go Hand in Hand

What are the common roots of the two words?

I turned to scripture to find the answer to that question. This is a copy of my Bible page. As you can see, it is well marked! Look at how many times Proverbs 2 uses “wisdom” and “understanding.”

Understanding + Wisdom = Compassion

The Book of Proverbs teaches us, if we understand what is right and good, we will see what is just and fair. As a result, it will naturally follow that when we see injustice, when we witness someone being treated unfairly, we will have a heart of compassion, determined to respond.

Compassion is an Umbrella

OnahDave on HumePoets.com posted a poem today titled Drenched:

“Wrecked and broken by pain,
she drenched in the unlimited
down pour of her sorrow.”

When I read his poem, my immediate response was, “Give her your umbrella!”
When we understand another person’s pain, our compassion compels us to reach out with an umbrella of protection.

grayscale image of woman walking through the rain while holding umbrella

Photo by Kaique Rocha on Pexels.com

Umbrellas Take Many Forms

Sometimes the umbrella is a song! Today I visited my friend, Carol, who (at the advanced age of 95) is struggling to hang on to life. Her son and two daughters were in the hospital room with her.

Carol was having a better day today than when I saw her yesterday. Her children could tell because she was being a bit cantankerous!

Hah! She reminded me of my mom during her last days. Her mind rallied to the point that she knew what she wanted and what she didn’t. Her ability to say, “No!” rallied – – – and she exerted her independence while bed-bound and hooked up to oxygen. Like my mom, Carol is a strong and courageous woman.

Her daughters and I sang some cheery songs to her and enjoyed her smiles and nods – and her ability to squeeze my hand in appreciation. Her son snapped a few pictures. These are moments to remember!

Disney’s Sing-A-Long Songs – Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah VHS

was our first song. You know, you can’t help but smile when you sing that song! It sent an umbrella of joy over the entire room!

Then we sang Frank Sinatra’s “Dream Your Troubles Away.” Do you know that one? You can change “Dreams” to “Prayers” … and sing “Pray Your Troubles Away.” That thought fits the hand-in-hand analogy of understanding and wisdom as described in the second chapter of Proverbs. Here are the song’s revised words:

When skies are cloudy and gray,
They’re only gray for a day,
So wrap your troubles in prayer
And pray your troubles away.

Until that sunshine peeps through,
There’s only one thing to do:
Just wrap your troubles in prayer
And pray your troubles away.

Your castles may tumble
That’s fate after all,
Life’s really funny that way.

No need to grumble,
Smile as they fall,
Weren’t you queen for a day?

Just remember that sunshine
Always follows the rain.
So wrap your troubles in prayer
And pray your troubles away!

 

Sometimes, We Gotta Let the Rain Fall

Max Lucado has written a book titled, Unshakable Hope.
In a message promoting his book, he wrote,

“I’ve discovered that nothing lifts the weary soul like the promises of God. This book contains some of my favorite [promises]. Picture God’s words falling like rain from heaven on you. Imagine these promises as gentle spring showers. Receive them. Allow them to land on you, to soak you. I’m trusting that God’s words will prosper in your life.”

Understand God is in the Storms of Life

Rick Hamlin in today’s Guideposts prayed,
“God, don’t let my cynical heart
prevent me from seeing
You in unexpected places.”

Sometimes our vision is blurred by the storms that smack us in the face. The unexpected difficulties can put us in dark places where vision is limited. We wonder, “God, where are You?”

Even Jesus had such moments. “My God, my God, why hast Thou Forsaken me?” From the cross, He cried to His Father. It’s understandable that we sometimes have similar thoughts.

Sometimes we need to set aside the umbrella, lift our eyes to the sky, and dance in the rain – in spite of the trauma.

Wrap your troubles in prayer – and pray your troubles away –
or not!
Sometimes the clouds are meant to stay – more than a day –
But sunshine follows the rain.
Even if that sunshine is our promise of Life Eternal.

Relish the Beauty of God’s Promises.

scenic view of mountains during dawn

Photo by Simon Matzinger on Pexels.com

Try to understand!
And be ready to put away your umbrella
or pass it along  –
use it to protect and encourage a friend.

Keep a song alive in your heart!

God bless you.

See you tomorrow.

In the Eye of the Storm

PEACE

In the eye of the storm, the wisest people of the Carolinas are letting everything go. I read in one of my devotionals this morning a quote from C. Joybell C., “… the day I knew peace was the day I let everything go.”

eye of the storm image from outer space

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 

Hurricane Florence is thrashing the already battered east coast near Wrightsville Beach with strong winds (92-100 mph) and heavy rains that could trigger catastrophic floods inland. People who value their lives more than their things are evacuating (or already have).

Things can become so important to us that we risk our lives to protect them. Oh, I know, there are many reasons residents in the eye of the storm have chosen to stay put. Not all are for the love of their things. But, by putting too much importance on things, we also risk our peace of mind.

C. Joybell C. suggests that letting things go is a pathway to peace of mind.

Value life most. Know peace.

Ponder it. What things would you stay to protect in the eye of the storm?

Can you “let everything go?”

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