Author Archives: Janis Van Keuren

We Are The Champions–And I’m Not Just Talking Basketball

Janis Van Keuren

University of Arizona Wildcats fly into the Sweet Sixteen           March Madness has spread throughout our home. In case you do not have a houseful of men or boys, I’ll explain a little bit about this disease. (Now, don’t click away from this article, yet. I really am going someplace spiritual with this topic, so stay with me.)      The madness (sort of like mad cow disease with its snorting, outbursts, angry pumping of fists and yelling at TV … Continue reading →

Wearin’ of the Green~Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Janis Van Keuren

     It’s been years since I’ve had a shamrock cookie cutter to make the green sprinkled sweet treats. And if I remember correctly, the cutter I used was really shaped like the club on a deck of cards. Not exactly the mystical symbol of the Trinity found in the design of the three-leaf clovers used by St Patrick to explain God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (I didn’t realize baking cookies could be such a spiritual experience.)     Once again, … Continue reading →

Growing Tulips In The Desert

Janis Van Keuren

     How does one grow tulips in the desert? These delicate, translucent ladies with their hearts spread open to the sun. Like several pink brush strokes rising from yellow centers streaked with black stamen, they sing their spring songs.     “With lots of love and care,” answered one of the women at work.     Bewildered, I pictured our Arizona clay earth with sandy soil giving way only to jackhammers, not dainty dressed-for-spring tulips. Even with mulch and peat moss and hauled in … Continue reading →

Janis Van Keuren

          We Have A Winner! I mixed and swirled round and round  and delicately sprinkled pieces into a bowl  like gently falling rose petals.  Pieces of paper with precious names    of those who lovingly left comments on my blog  or joined me as a new encourager on this journey of inspiration.   With a prayer for the Lord to choose just the right one,  I reached into those petals  and pulled out the one chosen  to receive Ann Voskamp’s book,  … Continue reading →

Janis Van Keuren

“You are my lamp, O Lord; : 2 Samuel 22:29         I was looking through a little inspirational book called “Giving Thanks for Little Things” when I found the perfect poem to encourage me in present trials. He Keeps Me Going It’s God that keeps me going When my world just falls apart; It’s He who lifts my spirit When I grow faint in my heart. His love always sustains me In my trials and distress; I don’t think I … Continue reading →

Orange Loaf and A Giveaway

Janis Van Keuren

Mom’s Orange Loaf           Rich aromas wafted from the kitchen up to the computer area and I suddenly became aware of the tasty orange loaf I had baking in the oven. This was one of my mother’s favorite recipes that we make each year with orange juice squeezed from fresh-picked fruit in our backyard. This year we are especially blessed to have this pound-cake style treat as our citrus were damaged severely by freezing temperatures.      The aromas carry … Continue reading →

Taken From Under My Wings

Janis Van Keuren

Image from Google       I knew it was coming but I couldn’t stop it. It’s that pain every mother feels. That gut-wrenching, ripping,  tearing when one of her children is yanked out from her covering pinions.     The culprit. Independence. A time to prove myself. A time to cut the apron strings, the hovering.     The lure. Adventure. Excitement. Freedom.     The reality. It takes more than just an age on a driver’s license. More than just a need to spread one’s own … Continue reading →

Carrying the Cross Daily

Janis Van Keuren

           It’s not a pretty subject or a popular topic for speakers. Few audiences would plunk down their dollars to hear even the most renowned Bible Study teacher present a sermon on “taking up your cross daily and following Jesus.”  While it might not be a crowd pleaser, it is a crowd freer.      “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34 NIV      I just … Continue reading →

Celebrating One Year

Janis Van Keuren

     Time to celebrate a journey that began with feeble steps, weak knees, and cry to the Lord sort of like Moses, “I don’t think I can do this..” But the Lord said, “Follow me and trust me.” So here I am one year later, amazed at all I have learned and the many online friendships that have resulted from accepting this challenge.     First of all, I knew nothing about blogging or how to set up a blog. All I … Continue reading →

Hope Springs Anew–And A Giveaway

Janis Van Keuren

Orange leaves unfurling            Like a mother checking on her babes as they rest peacefully, I tiptoe out to the garden. Not wanting to disturb the hopes within me, I measure my steps to our injured, dormant citrus trees. Could there be any signs of growth, yet?     I peek through left over leaves and freeze-dried branches, gazing upon my “babies” as a mother pulls back the blanket to behold her sweet one’s angel face. There I find the hope … Continue reading →