Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Posts tagged ‘Trouble’

It’s Tomorrow!

I said yesterday,
“See ya tomorrow.”
But today is tomorrow
And it’s almost gone!

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Today
Is Tomorrow
It’s February First
How’d your day go?
Swish!!

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Today
Buzzed by
Snowplows were working
Week’s mail was overwhelming
Whew!!

Matthew 6:25
Therefore I tell you,
do not worry about your life,
what you will eat or drink;
or about your body,
what you will wear.
Is not life more than food,
and the body more than clothes?

Today
Is gone
Tomorrow is coming
Plan for the best
Relax

See you tomorrow…
For sure!
What will you be doing?

Lots of Love,
JanBeek

Embrace Unity

“For I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the Lord,
“Plans to prosper you
and not to harm you.
Plans to give you hope
and a future.”

Jeremiah 20:11
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It’s a day when we in the USA
Are feeling particularly vulnerable.
A day when we ponder the meaning
Of the troublesome events of yesterday.

It was a day of Troubled Waters
When our fragile democracy
Seemed on the brink of collapse,
A day some imagined, but not I.

I knew we were a country deeply divided,
A country needing a renewed sense of unity,
But never did I think our Capitol
Would be under siege by our own people.

Thousands gathered at the “Trump March.”
Many thought Trump was at the front leading them.
He was not.
They just kept coming…
and they roiled over into the Capitol building.

Not just one of the rioters was killed in the debacle,
but 3 health care workers also lost their lives.

In the aftermath, when the Senate and Assembly
resumed their stations and continued
the task of counting the electoral votes,
a new sense of purpose seemed to emerge.

It took an attack on our democracy
for our lawmakers
to unify and recognize
the importance of our constitution.
The tone was bipartisan.
The future is hopeful.

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A ray of hope
for the unification
of this divided country
was launched yesterday.

A seed of collaboration was planted.

The importance of
“Love Thy Neighbor”
seemed to be elevated.

Yesterday I posted a meme that read:
“We’ve tried hate.
We’ve tried wars.
We’ve tried destruction.
They only caused more pain.
Let’s try something different…”

…and the “different” was
peace
love
empowerment
collaboration.

Today let’s reinforce that commitment.
Let’s try
Open and Honest Communication,
Building bridges instead of walls,
LET’S EMBRACE UNITY!

EMBRACE UNITY!
Let’s honor
One Nation Under God.
One world for us all,
One CREATOR of us all.

Back in 1970, Paul Simon was inspired to write the words to the song,
“Bridge Over Troubled Waters.”
The video below is the story of how that song came to be.
The words are just what we need today…
A Bridge Over [these] Troubled Waters.

Let’s Embrace UNITY.
Let’s see how that turns out!

I hope you took time to hear that You.Tube story. It’s powerful.
Believe me,
the song is just what we need today.

“When you’re weary
Feeling small,
When tears are in your eyes
I’ll dry them all.
I’m on your side.
Oh, when times get rough
And friends just can’t be found,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
When you’re down and out
When you’re on the street,
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you.
I’ll take your part.
Oh, when darkness comes
And pain is all around,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down…
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Sail on silver girl
Sail on by… More

Source: Musixmatch

Photo by Mohamed Almari on Pexels.com
I’ll drink to that:
UNITY!

Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
A comment about your reaction

to the song and the turn of events would be appreciated.

How are YOU feeling today?
See ya tomorrow.

Me, Worry?

Matthew 6:31-34

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’
or ‘What shall we drink?
or ‘What shall we wear?’
For the pagans run after all these things,
and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

In today’s Mornings with Jesus devotional
from Guideposts,
Isabella Yosuico wrote,
“I seek Jesus’ direction…
I am struggling to keep an open mind
and follow where He leads…”

Isabella went on to say that having faith means
“… prayerfully doing what I can today
and recognizing what I cannot do.”

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Isabella encouraged her readers to
“… stay in the present day,
entrusting uncertainties to Christ.”

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There is such comfort
in the knowledge
that Jesus Christ
prays with me.

He is my Confidante.
He is my Rock.
He is my Guide.
I have no reason to worry.

Me, Worry?
No way!!

It is easy to obsess
Over the condition of this earth,
But God is in control,
And He knows the planet’s worth.

He holds it in His palm
And knows its every leaf.
In the eyes of our Lord,
This pandemic’s really brief!

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All the world
Is holding its breath –
Some behind masks,
Some behind fear,
Some behind doors,
Afraid to come near.
Breathe in Peace.
Experience a patch
Of stillness,
Kindness, and
Presence.
Each waking day.
Carry it with you.

“… do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Bye for now!
See ya tomorrow.

Hugs,
JanBeek

Kind & Helpful People

Reaching out to help others
Is a gift some people cultivate.
No matter what they are going through,
They take time to stop and make a date
With friends who seems to need them.
Because their friends know they care,
They know they will sincerely listen
And pray for them. It helps to talk and share.

They set aside their own struggles
And they focus in on your trouble.
They look into your eyes and see your heart.
They pull you close into their compassionate bubble.
You know they hear with ears of love.
You know they link to God in sincere ways.
They will take your concerns to our Lord and Savior.
He hears their cries … and with them prays.

I want to be that kind of a friend.
I want you to know how much I care.
I want you to open your heart and know
I’m a person with whom you can share
Your problems and your struggles.
I will listen with my very soul.
I will pray to Jesus for God’s help.
Yes, showing love and kindness is my goal.

Some people find it hard to reach out;
They want to solve their troubles on their own.
But sharing is an important part of healing.
Don’t try to do it all alone.
Even if you just go to a friend and sit,
Say nothing… just find peace in being there,
A good friend will hear you with a heart
That reaches yours. You’re a synced pair!

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I pray you have such a friend.
I pray you know the joy of caring in that way –
Both as a giver as well as a receiver.


Please add our friend, PETER, to your prayer list.
God knows why.


You are blessed to be a blessing.
May you have a blessed day!

See ya tomorrow.

Hear the Angels

Hear the Angels

Hear Angels w Heart.jpg

Angels are watching over you
They are singing you a song
It will ease your troubled heart today
Listen carefully – and then sing along!

heart of love
See ya tomorrow

My Heart Aches

photo of clipped heart shaped red paper

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My Heart Aches
and
I’m hanging it out to dry
.
.
As the snow falls outside and rests

Heavy on the evergreen branches,

6bcbae91-85ad-4ee9-8abe-c0fe958a8ffe

.

 

I rest, too, heavy and troubled in
The warmth of my peaceful indoors.

adult beverage breakfast celebration

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.
.

My sister’s diagnosis of
Severe dementia and apathy syndrome

midsection of man

Photo by Hichem Deghmoum on Pexels.com

.
.
Plucks sadly at my heartstrings

And plays a mournful tune.

close up of piano

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.
.

My heart aches to soar

Above the clouds of sadness.

silhouette photo of man throw paper plane

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.

.

My feet long to trek

Green paths of creation’s gladness.

daylight dirt road ecology environment

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.
.
My Heart Aches
and
I’m hanging it out to dry
.
.

photo of clipped heart shaped red paper

 

 

God’s Grace

God’s Grace

green trees

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“I am under the canopy of God’s Grace,”
the story in my Guideposts devotional assured me.

 

portrait of teenage girl playing outdoors


I know it without a doubt. I am guided by the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures.

 

“Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.
Each day has enough troubles of its own.”

Matthew 6:34

 

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Accept each day as a gift.
The present is a present.
Open it – and live in the NOW!

 

I am sure you know:
God’s grace is sufficient when you believe and live intentionally in FAITH.

belief bible book business

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Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”
Romans 5:1-2

 

God’s grace – and peace to you – dear friends,

PEACE now and forever!

 

 

Feeling Buried?

John 12:24-25

“Listen carefully! Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal.” (Eugene H. Peterson’s The Message translation)

In the eye of the storm, Hurricane Florence is burying houses, trees, streets, electrical connections, pig farms, and even people … in their homes, in their cars and pickups, on their escape routes. This scripture from John 12 reminds me that being buried, even if it means death to this earthly life, can result in eternal life – or at least a better life.

But, we don’t have to encounter a hurricane to feel buried. We can be buried by trouble, strife, grief, disillusionment, disappointment, greed. We can be buried by fear of the unknown, fear of change, fear of inadequacy.

John 12 asks us to listen carefully. Jesus is reminding His followers that we cannot avoid change – and when we try to do so – when we “hold on to life just as it is,” we destroy life. So, we are told to let it go. Go with the flow. Even the flow of flooding that threatens to drown us. Go with it… float the flood! Know that trouble is guaranteed, but trouble is temporary.

Look beyond the turmoil of today. Look beyond yourself. Look to God for guidance and comfort and direction. Look for others who need you. Serve them as you follow Jesus’ example. God will help unbury you as you help unbury others.

Who can you help today?

Facing Trouble

Are you facing TROUBLE in your life? Today’s scripture caught my attention as I was writing daily reflections in my “Love Journal.” The scripture for today in the journal is Psalm 32:7 “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble.”

Is it true? Is God your hiding place? Will God protect you from trouble? In my experience, it is not that trouble doesn’t come my way. It will and it does! Trouble finds us – even in our best hiding places! So what comfort can I take from Psalm 32?

If we live the truth of Psalm 16:9 and we “are always thinking of the Lord,” then the scripture promises, “…because He is near, I never need to stumble or fall.” God will help me overcome trouble. He will help you, too! I truly believe that. Do you?

Psalm 16:10 says “Heart, body and soul are filled with joy.” How can we have joy in the midst of trouble? It helps me to focus on the fact that the Lord is in control. God is the Captain of my ship, the Driver of my vehicle, the Lamp that lights my path. If I remember that, then God will not only lead me through the trouble and help me overcome it, but He will strengthen me by it. He will bring me joy. I truly believe that, too.

“Protection” from trouble is not the absence of trouble, but it is the inability of trouble to take away my joy. With God’s help, I can hold my head high, walk through the hard times, and emerge stronger and more faithful. You can, too. Take JOY, my friend. Take heart; take God’s hand – offered by a loving friend – and walk right through that trouble with His Strength – to the other side. You don’t need to hide. He will protect you. He will show you The Way. God bless you. Walk on!

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