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Posts tagged ‘trust’

The Intimate Word

John 1:14
“And the Word became flesh
and dwelt among us,
and we have seen His Glory…
full of grace and truth.”

Meaningful Relationships

Meaningful Conversations
help lead to
Meaningful Relationships.

The grace and truth of “The Word”
are two of the most essential elements
of meaningful conversations.

“The Word” is Christ – His Love – and His Example to us.

The “thinking, talking, and acting”
in faith are essential elements of
meaningful relationships.

The Beekman “Chat Area.”
Conversation area in Ty & Monika’s house

Importance of Intimate Words

Meaningful conversation is not small talk.
It is heart-felt, genuine sharing from your soul.
It’s transparent.
It doesn’t have to be long.
It has to be deep and authentic.
It has to be free of intimidation,
and opening intimate…
knowing it is spoken in TRUST.

Our son, Ty, is exemplary of this:
Smile and Trust –
He shares openly –
We’re so grateful!

From “This Day’s Thought,” an anonymous quote reminds us:

This Day's Smile

“The love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay,
love isn’t love till it’s given away.”

Those moments of honest, intimate sharing are the most precious memories of the season.

Stay Connected

Yesterday we went with Ty, Monika and Sam (our son, daughter-in-law, and grandson) to Amador County, California. Kevin (the one in the black jacket) was a high schooler – and friends with Ty in their teens. Distance cannot keep us from remaining friends with Kevin, his wife, Karen, and their beautiful daughter, Morgan.

Just as we stay connected with them through annual Christmas cards and occasional phone calls, and face-to-face visits whenever we can, we also stay connected with Kevin’s parents. Our honest, open, intimate sharing of life’s joys and struggles keeps our friendship alive and meaningful. It’s a blessing!

Bob with our son, Ty

Family Dynamics

Just as “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we [see] … His Glory… full of grace and truth,” so it is that this son of our flesh, a gift from God himself, dwells among us full of grace and truth. We are so grateful for the way in which he and Monika open their hearts and home to the greater family … and allow us to converge on them en mass!!

I showed you this picture earlier this week. Isn’t it amazing?

We are a diverse group of people, connected by the Love of Christ, the Blessings of the Spirit, and the determination to remain open and honest with one another. It ain’t always easy. It ain’t always purrrdy! But, it is always worth it… and it is what God calls us to do.

Love One Another

I Corinthians … “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. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always TRUSTS, always HOPES, always preserves.”

May the love in your heart reach out in honest, intimate, trust-worthy conversation. May it protect and preserve your relationships. May it be

  • transparent.
  • deep
  • authentic
  • innocent
  • free of intimidation
  • openly intimate, and
  • shared in TRUST.
God Bless You!


Tell me about a relationship
you are keeping alive with
intimate words of love and caring.

Thanks for being a sharing friend.

Bye for now.
See ya tomorrow.

Category:

Bible Lessons, blessings, children, Christmas, Faith, Family, friendship, God, Gratitude, holidays, Jesus, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, peace, prayer, respect, Serving One Another, Travel

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The Smallest Things

Winnie the Pooh said,
“Sometimes the smallest things
take up the most room in your heart.”

Photo by Inna Lesyk on Pexels.com

Yesterday at church, the smallest people there took up the largest place in my heart… and the hearts of the congregants. I didn’t have my camera with me to show you a picture of the “Terrific Tuesday” children who sang Christmas carols to the congregation and recited a memorized Bible verse into the microphone. But, you just have to imagine these three darlings along with five others ranging in age from 4 to 10 – – – singing and reciting praises to our Lord. It was glorious!

These are our darling Sunday School children
with the food they gathered to share
at the Food Bank in November

Ruby, Cord, and Hailey were joined by five others yesterday as they sang, “Father Abraham,” and “Silent Night,” and synced hand motions to “I’ve Got Peace Like a River”… Oh my! Every face in the church was bursting with God’s JOY as we watched these darling little ones.

The Klein family lit the Advent candles:
Week One – Hope
Week Two – Peace
Week Three – Joy

Elaine Hundley, our Pastor Steve’s wife, delivered the sermon. Steve is off in Virginia at his mom’s side as she lies dying. As we pray for Steve and his mom, Faye, our congregation also is mourning the death of Reverend Jean Johnson, who died after a difficult surgery and related difficulties. She had been the pastor here in the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church for 32 years.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

If you have followed my blog for awhile, you know I take notes in poetry as I listen and internalize the sermon. Elaine called her sermon, “Second Chances” as she talked about Zechariah’s muteness due to unbelief – and the second chance he received after acknowledging his baby boy’s name is John. In my notes, I focused more on the message to Mary – and her response to Gabriel and to God. Here is what I wrote as I discerned the message yesterday. I called it Believe and Trust:

Based on Luke 1:26-56

Think about Gabriel’s messages
To Zechariah and to Mary.
He told each their child’s name
And spoke as if a voice from a fairy.

Zechariah was a priest and he
Should have believed the voice.
But he doubted – and became mute.
Like Zechariah, we have a choice.

We can believe as Mary did,
Or doubt as Zechariah chose to do.
The result of Mary’s faith
Was rich in blessings. So it is with you.

When God speaks to us, we know
Blessings are ours – if we trust.
Through faith, we are free to rejoice;
We are free to believe – We must!

Mary’s song speaks as if God
Already has done what He said.
She praises the gift of His Son.
She didn’t look on her fate with dread.

Sometimes, like Mary, we face unknowns.
Like her, we are called to accept
The challenges God gives us as gifts.
Know God’s in charge, so have no regrets.

Christmas is a season in which, as we light the Advent candle – there is a new focus each week. We await the birth of the Christ Child with a focus on JOY this week. I pray you find JOY in this day – and project nothing but HOPE, PEACE and JOY to all you meet.

As Pooh said, “Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” What’s taking up room in your heart today?

Look for the smallest ways to believe, trust, and spread the Good News! Wheeee!! Take JOY into your heart! (It’s no small thing.)

Photo by Kevin Bidwell on Pexels.com

Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
I hope it brought you JOY today.
See ya later.

Category:

Belief, Bible Lessons, children, Christmas, Faith, Giving, God, happiness, holidays, Jesus, Living in Christ's Family, Love, peace, Poetry, prayer, writing

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In the Same Boat

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SERMON NOTES

Bible Reference

Rev. Steve Hundley’s sermon topic today at the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church in Ennis, MT was “We’re All in the Same Boat.” It was inspired by the story in Matthew 14:22-36. Jesus commanded the disciples to get in the boat and sail out to sea while He went off to be alone for awhile. Then – in the darkness of a stormy night – He walked on the water to go out to them. Seeing Jesus walking on water toward them, Peter asked to be able to do likewise. The Lord told him to come ahead – and he did. All went well until he looked down at the growing waves, became fearful, and started to sink. “Why did you doubt?” Jesus asked him as he helped Peter back onto the boat.

Ah, courage and faith – that’s what it takes.
But only God can walk on water.

Sermon notes taken while Steve shared his message:

We’re All in the Same Boat

Jesus is the Loving Shepherd
But He is also our Commander.
He is gentle and kind, we know,
But we realize He’s a Great Demander.

Why did Jesus order His disciples
To go and get in the boat?
It was midnight, afterall!
Was that a good time to go for a float?

The earliest idea of the church
Was the image of a boat’s belly.
We’re all in this boat together.
It’s dark, stormy, and chilly.

We’re rowing as hard as we can –
And don’t seem to make any headway.
We’re busy trying to make it on our own,
Too busy to hear what God has to say.

But God comes walking on the water,
And He says, “Fear not, it is I.”
We look and doubt and test Him saying,
“If it is You, save me!” Oh my!

Only God/Jesus can walk on water.
Sometimes our job is just to cling
To the boat and don’t presume
We can go it alone. Just trust and sing!

Following the sermon, we sang this song,
“We All Are One in Mission.”
See the song’s words below the sermon notes.

First we gotta get in the boat.
Then we gotta stay in it.
We gotta trust God is here with us.
We gotta gather and pray in it!

Help me, Lord, to remember
You will draw near to me – no fuss-
If we stay and pray and know
You’re here in the boat with us.

“We All Are One in Mission”

“We all are one in mission; we all are one in call,
our varied gifts united by Christ, the Lord of all.
A single great commission compels us from above
to plan and work together that all may know Christ’s love.

We all are called for service, to witness in God’s name.
Our ministries are different; our purpose is the same:
To touch the lives of others by God’s surprising grace,
so every folk and nation may feel God’s warm embrace.

Now let us be united, and let our song be heard.
Now let us be a vessel for God’s redeeming Word.
We all are one in mission; we all are one in call,
our varied gifts united by Christ, the Lord of all.”

Words: Rusty Edwards (Matthew 28:19-20; i Cor. 12:4-6
Music: Finnish folk melody

I am with you.
I’m praying you have a blessed Sunday...
and a week filled with God’s grace.

See ya later

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Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Living in Christ's Family, Love, Poetry, prayer, writing

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Quote

Learning Trust — Amputation, Rehabilitation And Miracles

I love this post by Jim.
It’s too good to keep to myself.
I am sharing it with love –
and with the trust that you
will love it, too.

blur bracelet conceptual female

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

My journey from amputation through rehabilitation on to recovery has taught me many lessons. One of the most important is the difference between belief and trust. For most of human history, just about everyone believed in some version of a god. In Europe, the existence of God was accepted as given. What divided people was […]

via Learning Trust — Amputation, Rehabilitation And Miracles

Written

on September 13, 2019

Naomi’s Nurturing News

Welcome to Day #14
of my A-Z series:
Adding Meaning
and
Finding Purpose
in Life

Today’s letter is “N”

The title, “Naomi’s Nurturing News” is inspired by the Biblical account of Naomi, a destitute widow. The story is told in the book of Ruth.

We all have a lot to learn from Naomi and God’s steadfastness in her life.

When a famine occurred in her home area of Bethlehem, the widow migrated with her two boys to Moab, where she intended to ride out the famine – and then eventually return with them –  where she imagined her sons would marry hometown girls. She dreamed of living a productive and happy life near them, filled with grandchildren.

However, her dreams were shattered when her sons married Moabite women, produced no grandchildren, and then both sons died. She did eventually return to Bethlehem, but she was a beaten-down woman who told her old friends who greeted her by name to call her “Bitter” instead.

With God working behind the scenes, a few chapters later, we see a transformed Naomi, filled with joy and a new zest for life. Yes, our God is an awesome God. The Good News from Naomi’s story is the power of nurturing love to bring life’s true meaning and purpose to fruition.

adult blur bokeh bright

Photo by Jasmine Wallace Carter on Pexels.com

Naomi’s Nurturing News

Naomi is a woman whose story
Inspires me to want to know
How to develop her nurturing spirit
And watch my family’s greatness grow.

Naomi moved from Jerusalem
To Moab with her two sons.
She dreamed that they would marry
Israelite women – but they were not the ones

The boys selected for their wives –
Instead Moabites were chosen
And when her sons both died,
Naomi’s life seemed hopelessly frozen.

She told her daughters-in-law that
Jerusalem was calling her home.
“Stay here and remarry,” she encouraged.
“Don’t come with me to roam.”

But one of those lovely ladies,
(Ruth was her name, we read),
Told Naomi she would go with her
And take care of her every need.

In spite of Naomi’s objections,
Ruth did exactly that – she went –
And stayed with Naomi faithfully;
Loving her back with every second spent.

Naomi’s nurturing spirit
Helped Ruth find Boaz, her new love,
And eventually came the baby, Obed,
A gift from God above.

Instead of dying bitter and alone,
Naomi’s life was full, not hollow.
Her nurturing spirit invited love –
Her faith is an example we can follow.

Don’t let life’s troubles stop your heart
From reaching out to others in love.
The more you give, the more you’ll get,
In blessings galore from our God above.

prayer time

Luke 17:6 teaches us, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

Naomi’s story reminds me that life is not always fair. Our dreams do not always come true. We will have days (maybe even months or years) of questions, wrestling, and searching for answers. But, God has room for our questions and our searching. God is with us during our periods of bitterness, our uncertainty, and our doubting. God does not give up on us.

To find more meaning and to ultimately fulfill our purpose in life, we need Naomi’s mustard seed faith. We must trust God and cling to Him. Develop consistent prayer time … regular, open, heart-felt conversation with God. He will give us what He gave to Naomi: a new zest for life.

Trust – and work with our nurturing God as He writes a new chapter in your life.

He has promised to protect and provide for you all your life. Pick up your mustard seed faith – and watch Him fulfill His promises in you!

See you tomorrow.

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Bible Lessons, Faith, Family, God, Love, prayer

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Quiet My Soul

We’re snowed in!

The four foot drift

Behind my car is tall;

Not looking very friendly at all.

The flakes still fall.

abstract blur bright christmas

Photo by Meve R. on Pexels.com

It’s too much to shovel

And once that’s removed

What about the three foot waves

Gathered here creating graves

In our long driveway?

snow covered rocky mountain

Photo by Orest Sv on Pexels.com

“I have composed

And quieted my soul”

Psalm 131:2 is a reminder

To take off the blinders;

Trust God, the Perfect Finder.

photography of person peeking

Photo by Noelle Otto on Pexels.com

He helps me find what matters most.

I trust Him to quiet my soul.

Help me not to implode in

This spot, but find the Jesus road in

Whatever place I am snowed in.

snowy pathway surrounded by bare tree

Photo by freestocks.org on Pexels.com

The path isn’t blocked;

The wheelbarrow of tasks

May be inaccessible, but I can

Find His plan if I scan

 The land where I am.

So, compose my soul, dear Lord.

Help me find peace

And contentment. Just tuck me

In and channel me; don’t chuck me

Right where You’ve stuck me!

close up cobweb macro pattern

Photo by Rick Otten on Pexels.com

Don’t let me get caught in

This web of cold and confusion.

You’re here to hold me.

You protect and you mold me.

I will trust what You’ve told me.
.

Amen?
and Amen!

Category:

Bible Lessons, contentment, Faith, God, Jesus, life, Life's Challenges, Love, peace, prayer

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To God Be the Glory!

Have you read Rick Warren’s “Purpose Driven Life”?

I have read it several times – and completed the “Daily Inspirations for the Purpose Driven Life” that accompanies it. In it, Rick Warren highlights scripture to go with each chapter, and then has a page reserved for the readers’ Reflections.

In the chapter titled, “The Reason for Everything,” Romans 11:36 is one of the reflective quotes: “Everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by His power, and everything is for His glory.”

That quote prompted me to write the following acrostic.

Join me by reading it aloud  –  add plenty of enthusiasm!

Reading vertically, you can see that it says, “Glory to God – Praise Him!”

G ive all glory to the
L ord – to God Almighty! 
O n this day, praise Him!
R each out to others with
Y our whole heart, and love
T hy neighbor as thyself.
O n this day, Trust Him.
G ive what you have.
O ur gifts from God
D o not belong to us.
P ossessions are just things.
R esources are
A lways for sharing.
I nstead of hoarding and
S aving for yourself, know
E verything on earth is temporary.
H eaven is eternal.
I n His name, for His sake,
M agnify His name.

group of people raise their hands on stadium

Photo by Josh Sorenson on Pexels.com


To God Be the Glory!
Give generously!

Amen

 

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Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, Giving, God, Love, prayer

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Trust & Integrity

Trust is gained

Through integrity;

Integrity is given

As a Godly gift.

No one can take

Integrity from us.

We give it away;

We waste it;

We chip away at the

Fullness of our integrity

When we fail to:

  • Keep our word
  • Tell the truth
  • Follow through
  • Live honestly
  • Defend the weak

Trust begins internally;

We can’t trust others

Until we trust ourselves first.

We can’t trust ourselves

If we lack integrity.

The two are integrally related.

Ask God daily for help

With faith, honesty, and integrity.

Divine guidance increases

Our trust and integrity.

 

prayer time

God bless you!

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Faith, Life's Challenges, Love, prayer, truth

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From Fear to Awe

From Fear to Awe – An Epiphany Sunday Sermon

alone man person sadness

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Politics has a long history
Of striking fear in hearts.
In Matthew, we hear the king asking,
“Where’s the new child in these parts?”

 

The Magi responded and left
With a heavy sigh of relief;
But all of Jerusalem was frightened
As their king behaved as a thief.

 

He seemed to want to steal
The joy of this promised birth.
His fear spread throughout
This part of the Christ-child’s earth.

 

We, too, live in fear of things
Beyond our ability to control.
Fear of God is extraordinary
As we are confused by our role.

 

If we are God-fearing, it is
Not the same as fear of faith.
It’s an invitation to see
Our loving God face-to-face.

 

Fear is a cascading emotion.
Fear begets fear, you see.
A chain reaction occurs –
The fear of Herod passes down to me.

 

What if Herod’s fear had turned
To trust and awe of the Lord?
Trust and awe are emotions
We must know we CAN afford.

 

We cannot afford, in fact,
To live in fear instead of awe.
Read the stars, find the Christ Child.
Trust God and His Word – His Law.

 

Are YOU in awe of the Lord??

 

 Sermon notes by Jan Beekman based on the message:
“See and Be Radiant!” by Pastor Steven Mabry
Plymouth Congregational Church, Paso Robles, CA

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Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Jesus, Love, writing

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Trust and Rest

Today is a day

To trust and rest in the Lord

Sit down and praise God

No need to worry

He has all your troubles held

He can fix antlers

So He can fix you!

Take your cares to Lord Jesus:

Great Intercessor.

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Animals, Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Haiku, Jesus, Living in Harmony, Love, prayer, truth

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