Author Archives: Janis Van Keuren

Has Your Prayer Life Hit the Road Ruts?

Janis Van Keuren

     I clicked end on my cell phone after talking with a good friend. We had commiserated about the woes of everything from economic problems, unemployed college-educated sons, and difficult relationships to our long list of prayer requests. It seemed that not only were our lives riding the potholes of life but our friends’ lives as well were encountering rugged terrain that would overturn a four-wheel drive vehicle.     It seems the problems are increasing in intensity, the prayer lists are … Continue reading →

Devotions for Writers

Janis Van Keuren

     Do you ever wish you could hear the clear whispers of God regarding His direction for your writing? Do you struggle to convey the ideas within your heart? Do you long for Scripture that will address these issues along with a meditation from an experienced writer to guide you?      I’ve found the secret answer for these questions and even more.      A to Z Devotions for Writers by Pamela D. Williams will take the writer by the hand … Continue reading →

Seek and Find

Janis Van Keuren

     …”you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ‘I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and will bring you back from captivity.’” Jeremiah 29:12-14 NIV         Lord, touch my heart that I will seek you with all of my being. Let me desire to see You and live in freedom. From My Heart … Continue reading →

She Did It!

Janis Van Keuren

    by Keith Kendrick I’m joining Lisa-Jo Baker at Five-Minute Friday. The topic she has chosen for us to write on is   SHE      “She did it!” the little girl wailed, looking at her smushed ice cream cone drooling on the cement. When your the teacher of younger children, it is not uncommon to deal with the “She did its” or the “He did its”. But what is really behind these heart-felt wails of the children. Babes, sometimes so … Continue reading →

Darkness Trembles at His Voice

Janis Van Keuren

“He wraps Himself in Light,and darkness tries to hideAnd trembles at His voiceTrembles at His voice “How great is our God–sing with me How great is our God–and all will see How great, how great is our God.” Lyrics by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Ed Cash copyright and released 2004      While I cloaked myself in darkness, drawing into the pain and hurt, wallowing in the slop of anger, the Lord was sending His light into the tiny crevices of … Continue reading →

In His Light, We See Light

Janis Van Keuren

        The darkness shrouds me once again. The all-too-familiar squeezing of the chest and gnawing at my stomach have made their presence known again. And I cry out to God in my pain. How long, Oh Lord? Will the guilt always been a mantel that I wear? Will I ever find beauty for ashes? I’m holding on by only a thread as the second day draws to a midnight close.      I know there is only peace in You … Continue reading →

This Should Encourage Mothers’ of Boys

Janis Van Keuren

     During the week, I saw a link on Facebook to a blogpost by Kim. She was giving a warning to these daring young ladies who were invading her sons’ internet sites with their suggestive thoughts and poses. I applauded her for her courage and I admired her for having a relationship with her sons that was so strong and full of Christian values that they didn’t balk.     You have to read: http://givenbreath.com/2013/09/03/fyi-if-youre-a-teenage-girl/     Let me know what you think.      … Continue reading →

Apricot Glazed Chicken

Janis Van Keuren

       It all started with our kitchen remodel process. Without our appliances, kitchen sink, and other necessities, the Lord gave us the idea to set up a mini kitchen in our family room. So we hauled in the front room coffee table and proceeded to redefine out thoughts on cooking. We had a microwave, a crock pot, a toaster, and a coffee pot decorating our coffee table. Right next to the TV. The kitchen table was the center piece … Continue reading →

A Time to Remember and Pray

Janis Van Keuren

      Like the silence that surrounded the Ground Zero memorial long before the new World Trade Center stretched into the sky. Silence should mark this day, 9-11, as we remember the lives lost, the families torn apart, the shock wave of terror that still lurks in our country, and the heroes who gave their lives. We need to pray for hope to conquer fear and protect our beloved country founded in God. From My Heart to Yours,

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Woman in Her True Role

Janis Van Keuren

       I just noticed Michelle De Rusha’s post on Genesis and laughed when she said she wondered what new insight could we possibly gain from the creation story.     Our pastor’s current series is on Genesis and this week he focused on the creation of Woman. Quite an impressive creation of God when the Hebrew meaning of “helper” is understood.      As I sat and listened to our pastor, my mind was clicking off the well worn passages but … Continue reading →