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Posts tagged ‘Word’

Embrace The Word

“The Word was the Source
of Light and Life”

Today’s message from Rev. Steve Hundley
at the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church
in Ennis, Montana was titled
“God’s Creative Word.”

The scripture reference was
John 1:1-18
(with reinforcements from Genesis)

Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com

God’s Creative Word

Trying to decipher John’s
Interpretation of Christ’s birth
Is like trying to grasp smoke.
He says God’s Word created the earth.

And he explained that the Word
Was the Light and the Life – – – Rejoice!
He speaks as John the Apostle
And switches to a heavenly voice.

John strips away the layers covering
The original Word of God to earth.
He helps us hear with spiritual ears
The meaning of Christ’s unusual birth.

The Book of John is ethereal
As he shares God’s creative power.
He emphasizes that saying is doing
Words are like a bud that produces flower.

So, when we say something,
We need to think of the impact
Those words have on others.
Words spoken ripple out – no taking them back!

Just as God’s Word has the power
To create light out of darkness,
Our words also have the power
To create beauty out of starkness.

So, a lesson of John’s Gospel
Is to warn us: Watch what you speak!
If you speak untruths carelessly,
The results will not be what you seek.

Life and death are in the power
Of the tongue – – – We eat its fruit.
If you want your daily meal sweet,
Use your tongue’s power for Truth.

The Word became flesh and made
His home among us – He appeared
In the form of our Savior, Jesus.
Start here – Start where darkness was cleared.

Be Light for a Dark World.

Everlasting God,
remind us again
that Your Son is the light of the world,
the way, the truth, and the life.
Lead us by your light and truth.
Looking for Jesus,
let us find Him
knowing that it is He
who has come looking for us.

Embrace the Word, my friends.

Psalm 119:105

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.“

Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
I’ll see you tomorrow.

Keep the Christmas spirit alive
All Year Through!
Embrace Words of Love


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Belief, Bible Lessons, Faith, God, Jesus, Living in Christ's Family, Love, music, Poetry, prayer, sermon notes, writing

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Trusting or Terrified?

Do you live in trust?
Are you feeling terrified?
We all have a choice.

Photo by Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels.com

Today at Madison Valley Presbyterian Church,
in Ennis, Montana,
our pastor, Rev. Steve Hundley, began his sermon
by telling us he had scrapped
the sermon he originally planned.
“It just didn’t seem to fit,” he explained
to the sparsely attended congregation.

With this Coronavirus Pandemic spreading like wildfire around the world, and the first four cases being tested positive in Montana just yesterday, Pastor Steve felt God nudging him to speak to that topic.

So, here are my sermon notes from today’s message:

Terror or Trust?

We must always trust in God
In the face of everyday life.
We must turn to Him when
We’re faced with terrifying strife.

We must trust the Mighty Fortress
In the midst of Pandemic Fear.
We must trust He is with us.
We’re not abandoned; He is here.

Even when we learn that things
Will get worse before they’re better,
We still must trust the Lord.
We must read His Word; believe every letter.

In Psalm 46, the Bible says
The Lord All Powerful is right here.
Especially in the midst of disasters,
He tells us, “Do not fear!”

To really know God and believe
In His love and care every single day,
Takes a lifetime of faithful living
With consistent prayer and walking His Way.

There will be days when we doubt
Because God seems so far away.
It’s days like that when we gather
Together, listening to what God has to say.

We hear His Word and are reminded
Of God’s faithful love and care.
We believe in God’s good character
And see His goodness everywhere.

We must know that God expects us
To be His character witnesses today.
Witness to the love of Christ,
And spread it with what you do and say.

In our state of dread and insecurities,
We are invited to live in the HOPE
That only God can give to us.
Will I become frozen in fear? NOPE!

Photo by Suliman Sallehi on Pexels.com

Not only did Steve’s sermon encourage us to live in Trust (not terror), but his Prayer of Confession (printed in our bulletin) further inspired us to look deep within and examine whether or not we are:

  • more apathetic than active
  • more isolated than involved
  • more callous than compassionate
  • more obstinate than obedient
  • more legalistic than loving

Our Prayer of Confession continued,
“Gracious Lord, have mercy upon us and forgive our sins. Remove the obstacles preventing us from being Your representatives to a broken world. Awaken our hearts to the promised gift of Your indwelling Spirit.
Amen“

Photo by Eduardo Braga on Pexels.com

Psalm 46

God Is Our Fortress
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear …
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

God Bless You!
Bee safe – Bee well – Bee a Blessing
TRUST and KNOW: God is with you.

What is
one small act
you can do
to change
Terror to Trust
in someone’s heart today?

See ya tomorrow.

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Belief, Bible Lessons, blessings, Faith, Haiku, health, Life and Death, Life's Challenges, Living in Christ's Family, Living in Harmony, Love, Montana, peace, Poetry, prayer, Promises, Serving One Another, Sharing

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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.

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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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