Category Archives: Christian Inspiration

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 →

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 →

He Delights in You

Janis Van Keuren

           “He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.” Psalm 18:19; 2 Samuel 22:20 NLT      What a humbling thought! The Lord of the universe delights in us. He delights in every detail of our lives because we are His (Psalm 37.23).     What a gracious God! He created us to share His love. We disobeyed Him. He died to save us. We rejected Him. He reached down and rescued us. We … Continue reading →

Finding Your Purpose in Life

Janis Van Keuren

        Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord      We were created for a purpose.  That purpose has been defined clearly in Christianity as knowing, loving, and serving God.  And in the service is work.  Without work, we lack a sense of usefulness, value, or meaning to our lives.  God gave work as a gift to the human race in the Garden of Eden  In Genesis 2:15, Scripture says that “The … Continue reading →

On the Mountaintop with Friends

Janis Van Keuren

     Climbing mountaintops with our special friends, Jon and Julie.  We’ve known each other for 23 years, been separated by a distance of  500+ miles, yet our relationship continues to reach new heights. Through the years, we have supported each other in the raising of our young men, cheered each other through the good times,  shared and prayed with each other through the difficult times, talked hours on the phone, traveled hundreds of miles just to laugh, cry, and shop … Continue reading →

Watch Your Step

Janis Van Keuren

Springs of Living Water will flow from those who believe in Him–Butchart Gardens, Canada          I have fallen a couple of times lately and this has made me more careful.  My steps, especially at night, are strategically placed, I am aware of the pavement beneath my feet, and I check out my surroundings.  When I went sailing off a 6″ drop off, landing a perfect face plant in the cement, I laid there momentarily.  Mentally I was checking out … Continue reading →