Author Archives: Janis Van Keuren

Colors Roll Across an Autumn Sky

Janis Van Keuren

 Arizona Fall sunset last night as seen through our Palo Verde tree      The last vestiges of summer’s searing heat flare across our autumn sky. Exhausted, depleted, they leave their mark in colorful hues. A whispered good-bye, as the sky’s cool breath pushes the strands into summer’s compartment, awaiting next year’s return.      The colors of autumn mornings sparkle with children dressed in red sweatshirts, brown sweaters, and long pants to greet their morning yellow bus. The chill will deepen, … Continue reading →

He is So Faithful

Janis Van Keuren

     I’ve been down this road at least three times since May. You would think I’d know my way by now. The Way to avoid the forks in the road marked uncertainty, disharmony, bitterness, rebellion, anger, control, pride, fear. However, it seems I falter on the well known path, and lose my Way on at least one fork in the road, if not all.     Words fly, inflicting pain. Hot tempers erupt. Eyes glare. The blame moves around the room. The … Continue reading →

Chicken, Again?

Janis Van Keuren

         “If I’m engaged to someone and they serve me chicken, the wedding is off,” proclaimed our 7-year-old son. Hubby and I nearly choked on our chicken dinner as we laughed hysterically at our young son’s observation that we served a lot of chicken in our household. We explained that this was the wise choice for dinner as Grandma lived with us and too much beef was not healthy for her.     What’s my reason now for serving a weekly … Continue reading →

Seeing Through the Eyes of Safety

Janis Van Keuren

In keeping with the privacy of our students, I did not use any photos from the Fire Safety Even; This photo taken near our home           Wriggly children snake across fire hoses woven through the grass. Goggles mimic darkness. Thick smoke engulfs a burning building. Sight removed, they crawl end to end along the hose. An imitation of blindness, they have only hands to feel their way.      Which one would win the race? In my heart, I knew. My … Continue reading →

Does Your Home Need Repair?

Janis Van Keuren

The Fam–a few years ago “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” Proverbs 14:1 NIV      It’s hard work to build a home. The love, the nurturing, the every morning breakfast, the Mom taxi, attending every recital or sporting event, mundane laundry, helping with homework, long hugs to heal the hurts inside, bedtime stories, prayers at night, twirling round the living room dance floor to lullaby music, trips to the … Continue reading →

You Have a Voice

Janis Van Keuren

Photo by balanceduse.org on Google Images         Time is running out.  The clock is winding down. The opportunity to use our voice and speak our beliefs is just clicks away. The time to take a stand is now.     We have a privilege, unlike residents in many countries, to make a difference by using our voice to express our preference on the national election. If you need more information, check on the candidate’s voting record  by doing a quick Google … Continue reading →

Life Overflowing

Janis Van Keuren

       This past week, we were reading 2 Kings for our Sunday School class. We have been working through the historical books of the Old Testament. And parts of them have been enjoyable while others have created a bit of a struggle for me.     However, this week, miracles were sprinkled all over the readings. God was moving mightily through Elisha and I was glued to the pages of the Bible as if I were reading a Christian novel. The well … Continue reading →

Quench Your Thirst

Janis Van Keuren

Multnomah Falls, Oregon         In the Northwestern United States, the water flows abundantly. Tumbling down mountain sides, gushing forth in rivers, trickling through fern grottoes, resting on mountain tops awaiting the sun’s melting. Yet all of this water can not equate to the Living Water that Jesus offers us. He is the Living Water. Drink deeply of Him today and every day.      “When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a … Continue reading →

Gifty, Trendy, and Tasty–Upscale POPCORN

Janis Van Keuren

Another taste treat to add to your Fall repertoire      One of the best things about conferences is the exploration of a city and its yummy food. While at the Christian Writers’ Conference near Phoenix last week, we discovered POPCORN! Not just any POPCORN, but out-of-this-world, topped with tantalizing flavor POPCORN. Fourteen different flavors. Caramel, Cheddar, Nacho, Sour Cream & Onion, White Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Rocky Road, Cinnamon Bun to name a few. The world-famous Zebra™ Chocolate Popcorn made its … Continue reading →

A Step in the Write Direction

Janis Van Keuren

 (NOTE: I’m a little embarrassed to say that I just noticed the title I chose for this post is the same title as Donna Clarke Goodrich’s new book. She was one of the authors at the conference. I guess a lot really stuck with me from that conference. My humble apologies to Donna.)      To write is to reveal oneself to the world. But to write as a Christian is to reveal Christ to the world.My words must be His … Continue reading →