Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Posts tagged ‘sunset’

It’s a New Day!

Rick Malone wrote
in his “Spiritual Matters” article,

“There is something very special about the dawn.
The sun seems to climb over the horizon
with open arms, inviting us to share
in the wonderful opportunities of a new day.

Every dawn puts the things of yesterday
in the past and allows us to begin afresh.
The Bible uses this imagery of the dawn
to communicate the reality of new beginnings.

The psalmist teaches us that each new day
should be a source of rejoicing,
for it is a “day that the Lord has made;
and we should rejoice and be glad in it”
(Psalms 118:24).

And Jeremiah tells us
that the mercies of the Lord,
“are new every morning”
(Lamentations 3:23).

Michael Buble’ sang of the new day in his song:
“It’s a New Day.”
Listen and discern his idea of a new day.

Then design your own idea of a new day …
and praise the Lord for each new beginning!

Rick Malone went on in his post
to explain his image of a new day:

“This imagery of the dawn
not only symbolizes new beginnings
for us personally,
it symbolizes a new beginning
for the brokenness of God’s creation.
The bliss of the Garden of Eden
crumbled in the hands of Adam.
Creation now groans under a curse.
But we are given the promise
that at the dawning of the age to come
creation itself will be made new.”

You can find Rick Malone’s
full article at this link:
https://boropulse.com/2018/05/spiritual-matters-dawning-new-day/

We have incredible sunrises
above the Madison Range
that I can see from my home.
I love this time of day.
Below is what the sunrise looked like
from my sanctuary window this morning:

I sent this picture to my friend, Lisa, in North Carolina. We exchange sunrise pictures and prayers for one another most mornings. I apologized for the way my roof line from my sanctuary kind of spoiled the view this morning. She wrote back and sent me a cropped picture of my sunrise saying, “Simply GORGEOUS!!!”

Like most things in life, what we behold is often a matter of perspective, right? When we screen out the distractions and zero in on the positives, we see the true beauty around us, within us, and within others.

Lisa lives near a lake. Often her sunrises and sunsets are reflected in the water, creating a double image. I can look at the gray clouds beyond and expect a rainy, dismal day, or I can focus on the colorful reflections in the lake and anticipate a colorful, joy-filled day (or night) ahead.

Rick Malone explained it this way:

“Each new day is the perpetual promise of new beginnings. It is a new opportunity to turn the disappointments of our lives in a new direction. We can all identify with the failures of life—bad decisions, broken relationships, unfortunate circumstances. But God gives us a continual opportunity to start life fresh every day and put the past in our past. He is the God of new beginnings, the God of new life, the God of forgiveness. He is the God who covers our yesterdays with His grace. And, He is the God who graciously covers our tomorrows with every new dawn He gives us. Every sunrise beckons us: ‘Turn your life away from yourself and to your Maker who loves you.’ “

Another of Lisa Glines’ sunrises

Psalm 118:24

“This is the day which the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Montana Sunrise by Ken Hall

Above our bed, Bob & I have a painting by Ken Hall. It depicts the sunrise over the Madison Range. On clear mornings, we see this scene out our bedroom, dining room, living room, and sanctuary windows. But, even on fogged in or snowy days when the mountains are hidden and the sun is behind the clouds, we can look at Ken’s painting and thank God for this new day – new dawn – new beginning.

I pray your new day is a blessed one.
I pray you are healthy and happy.
I thank you for your friendship –
and for coming to share your day
with me here on JanBeek.

What are your plans for this new day?
See ya tomorrow (God willing)

God Bless You!

P.S. Please pray for my daughter-in-law, Monika.
She spent most of the day yesterday in the ER.
Today our son, Ty, will take her to the hospital
to find out why the massive headache and the
pain in the area of her gall bladder. Pray for a
clear
diagnosis and for healing, please.
Thank you!

Embrace Each Day

Each day in your life is a gift.
Embrace each with open arms.
Look for the positive ways
You can enhance the day with your charms.

Finding a thought to focus on,
Or a word to guide your path
Can help make each day better.
Then – end it with a bubble bath!!

Photo by Craig Adderley on Pexels.com

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

  1. Catch Problems Early
  2. Support Others’ Efforts
  3. Look for God’s Signs
  4. Let Hope Abound
  5. Embrace Today
  6. Let God Lead You
  7. Keep Moving Forward
  8. Look for a Hopeful Future
  9. Worship and Serve the Lord
  10. Respond to Life Cheerfully
  11. God Meets My Every Need
  12. God’s Wellspring Quenches
  13. Let God’s Word and Light Guide
  14. Tend My Heart’s Garden Daily
  15. Show Your Love and Appreciation
  16. Trust God
  17. Stop Worrying
  18. Be Open to Opportunities
  19. Be Thankful for Family
  20. Trust God to Answer Prayer
  21. Embrace Butterflies (Know the chrysalis important)
  22. Listen for God’s Ah-Hahs!
  23. Rest Secure in God’s Grip
  24. Just Enjoy Life
  25. Embrace Christ’s Power and Presence
  26. We are One Family
  27. Live Intentionally
  28. See God’s Goodness
  29. Fix Your Eyes on Jesus
  30. Know God Knows
  31. 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?


Embrace Each Day…
Each is a new opportunity!

See ya tomorrow (God willing) –
Love,
JanBeek

Approaching Magnificence

What’s magnificent?
A sunrise and a sunset –
And time in between.

Lisa Gline’s sunrise

It’s the time between
That builds our magnificence.
How’re you spending it?

I am a woman
Pleased to be a child of God.
I am empowered.

Empowered to be
Equipped with tools of wisdom –
Ready to use them.

I won’t be silenced.
I will stand up for justice –
Get what I fight for.

Proud to advocate
For fairness and unity
And equality.

I’m watching the team
Ready to lead the U.S.
Back to sanity.

I’ll vote for respect
To return to our White House –
Compassion and love.

I’ll vote for the strength –
The strength of my convictions.
That’s magnificence!

If decency wins,
World respect will return.
That’s magnificent!

I am committed
To fight for our best ideals.
Ready for sunset.

Elaina Colby’s magnificent CA sunset

What’s magnificent?
A sunrise and a sunset –
And time in between.

How are you spending yours?

Bob spent his day on the Madison River…
He threw this beautiful trout back in….
Catch and Release!
Wouldn’t you say he’s approaching magnificence?

Approaching Magnificence!

Have a good night.
Fight for what you believe in!
You, too, are approaching magnificence!

See ya tomorrow.
Love,
JanBeek




Peace Be With You!

Good morning from Madison Valley, Montana
Peace from Antelope family – Jeffers, Montana
Peace from this Beautiful buck – Jeffers, Montana
Peace from this Moose duo at Madison River for a drink
Peace beside this Fish sculpture – Madison River
Pace in our Home sweet home in early spring
Peace in our Home sweet home in summer
Ed Coyle Photography – Peace at Madison River ‘s sunset

Peace is living here
In the Madison Valley
Fun is sharing it

Safely visiting
When this COVID is over
Can be your next goal

Let our peaceful place
Put calmness and joy in you
Let me spoil you

God has spoiled me
Blessed me to be a blessing
I long to share peace



Peace be with you, my friend.
Thanks for visiting
JanBeek

See ya tomorrow.



Valentine Friends

Our Valentine Friends
Treated us to a dinner
At Blue Moon Cafe

Driving to Cameron,
The setting sun was gorgeous
Happy Valentine

Loved meeting long-time friends in Cameron.
Bob & Richard had a lot of catching up to do.
So did Pam and I.
Good friends are such a blessing, aren’t they?
We were grateful for clear roads to and from.

How did you spend your Valentine’s Day?
Did you go out to eat?
Did you meet up with long-time friends
or share the day/evening with family?
Tell me about it!

See ya tomorrow.

Montana Sunset

Our weather station and bluebird house,
and two neighbors’ houses
stand between us and the Madison Range
to the east of us.
The color is a reflection of the sun
dropping below the Tobacco Root Range
to the west of us.

We cal it God’s nightly “Light Show.”

Good Night, Mr. Sun!

See ya tomorrow.


Beautiful Montana Skies

From sunrise to sunset the Montana skies are a thing of beauty.
This is sunset reflected on the eastern Madison Range from the western Tobacco Root Range.
In every season, Montana skies are a wonder to behold. That’s the mountain called the Sphinx. I think Ed Coyle took this photo. He is magical with his camera.
We were so happy to be greeted by these blue skies and snow-peaked mountains when we returned from our trip.
This gorgeous sunrise over the Madison Mountain range was taken by my friend, Susan Phillips. She’s a great fisherman and the waters of the Madison River lure her to fly fishing in every season.

This was our sunset … settling over the Tobacco Root Range … and luring me outside with my camera.

You can see why Montana is known for its big skies, can’t you?

Uninhibited by tall buildings and city lights, the skies are a majestic wonder. God smiles on us with such wonderful beauty here in Montana.

The sun greets us from our bedroom window with a bright “Good Morning!”
I think this is another Ed Coyle photo. Check him out on FB!

As the setting sun reflects against the mountains on the east,
the glow of evening sends the fish to their slumber…
and tells the anglers, “Time to go home!”

Photo by James Wheeler on Pexels.com
That’s our house behind all those trees.
We loved our time in CA, but it’s always good to be home!
Don’t you agree?

Good night! And good-bye January!
See ya in February.

Montana Photography

Montana Photography

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Those are the Tetons behind the moose.

Enjoy these awesome photos by Scott Wheeler.
He will have a booth at the Madison Valley Arts Festival
in Ennis, Montana on August 10.
His Facebook Page is:
Facebook.com/swheelerphotography
And his website is ScottWheelerGallery.com

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This is the Madison River, just a couple miles south of Ennis, Montana. I have the privilege of living in ths world-class fly-fishing area!

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South-east of us, the Madison River flows out of Hebgen Lake. The Madison’s origin is the Gibbon and the Firehole Rivers in Yellowstone. Yellowstone National Park is just an hour’s drive from us.

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You can see why our Madison Valley is considered part of “Big Sky Country” – the views are magnificent. The sky is uninterrupted.

Thank you, Scott Wheeler, for your fantastic photography.
If you want a copy of his work, my friends,
be sure to come to our Ennis Arts Festival this August 10th.
Look me up! I’ll be there.

IMG_7306.jpg

Learn more about the Art Festival at our website:

Ennis Arts Association

Bob & I don’t see the river from our house, but we look out at Jack Creek Canyon in that magnificent Madison Range. The western sunset reflecting red in the eastern mountains often is part of our night’s “light show.”

These next two photos are mine…
taken a couple weeks ago
when we still had some snow on the ground.

Here is the western view.
Our house is the one tucked in
all those evergreen trees out there…

sunsetwourhouse

… and here is the eastern reflection:

fan-mtn-at-sunset.jpg

Jack Creek Canyon to far left, Fan Mountain straight ahead with God’s spotlight on it!

Yes, we are blessed.

 

You have a blessed day, my friends.

Happy Friday!

pexels-photo-887349
See you tomorrow

 

 

I See God

I see God

In the morning sunrise

backlit clouds dawn dusk

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

In the rainbow after rain

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In the blossoms of springtime

white flowers in bloom

Photo by Louis on Pexels.com

In the smiles of children (and other friends, too, of course)

IMG_0085

In the gorgeous sunset here in Ennis, MT last night

Ah yes, I see God in the sunsets …

Sunset from Gerrons
In the water and in reflections,

And … at work in me and my loved ones

Us w Chris

Ernesto Cardenal, a Nicaraguan poet and priest wrote,
“Everything in nature has a trademark, God’s trademark:
the stripes on a shell
and the stripes on a zebra;
the grain of the wood
and the veins of the dry leaf;
the markings on the dragonfly’s wings
and the pattern of stars on a photographic plate;
the panther’s coat
and the epidermal cells of the lily petal;
the structure of atoms and galaxies.
All bear God’s fingerprints.”

Where do you see God’s fingerprints?
Where do you FEEL God?
.

 

I feel God

In the winds that blow

sky clouds wind windmill

Photo by Tookapic on Pexels.com

In a baby’s touch

grayscale photo of baby feet with father and mother hands in heart signs

Photo by Andreas Wohlfahrt on Pexels.com

In every genuine heart-felt hug

smiling woman hugging another person

Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Pexels.com

In the unconditional love of our four-legged furry friends

img_9480

I feel God in captured dreams

backlit blur close up dawn

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Practice seeing and feeling God.

The more you do,

The more you will.

Where do you see and feel God?

2 Corinthians 4:18
“We do not look at the things which are seen,
but at the things which are unseen.”

In reflecting on that scripture,
Erika Bentsen wrote in today’s Daily Guideposts,
“Dear Lord, please forgive us when we are tempted to doubt.
Just as leaves are stirred by unseen winds,
stir our hearts with the breath of Your real presence.”
Amen

God Bless You!

pexels-photo-887349

See you tomorrow

Sunrise Beginnings; Sunset Endings

Just as sun rises,
Each day is new beginnings.
Rise to occasions.

sunrise

Just as the sun sets
Extraordinarily,
Ends bring beginnings.

sunsetwourhouse

Allow the endings
In order to make room for
The new beginnings.

 

Our daughter’s youngest, our 23-year-old grandson, Chris, arrived from Switzerland to stay for awhile with our son in California – and to stay for a month with us here in Montana. Life here is very different for him. In the Montana month, he met our friends, went to church and shopping with us, helped us around the house a lot (like decorating for Christmas and then taking down and putting away all the decorations), received his driver’s license, toured the Job Corp campus in Anaconda, MT, filled out his application, and was accepted into the program. He has USA citizenship and is between the ages of 16 and 24; he wants to learn manual skills and may move on to find a job in a field such as carpentry, welding, or heavy equipment mechanics, and he has a “clean record”, so he qualifies for the program.

He will begin this new experience next week. Chris had to allow for a lot of endings in order to make room for these new beginnings. We are excited for him. We are impressed by his courage, spirit of adventure, and willingness to step out and learn new skills. Only the Good Lord knows what the next year will hold for him, but we know he is in God’s hands, and so we will send him off with great anticipation, faith, and confidence.

Stay tuned!!
I’m sure I will write
more about Chris
as the year progresses.
Maybe his experiences
will encourage
some 16-to-24-year-old
you know and love.

chrisatsimplers.jpg

 

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