Category Archives: Friendship

Peaceful Dwelling Places

Janis Van Keuren

     “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.: Isaiah 32:18 NIV      By God’s special blessing, we were tucked under his pine trees breathing peace-scented air mingled with cypress at this charming bed and breakfast in Northern California. The Lord knew we thirsted for a rest after such an anxious half year so he gathered us together with our close friends up in the Sierra Nevada mountains–far from the pressure of … Continue reading →

THE ANSWER IS AS NEAR AS A BREATH

Janis Van Keuren

Dear Amy,      When the latest blow of pain sliced through my heart like a knife, you stood beside me with your ever-present gift of comfort and tender sensitivity to my words and hurt. But your face registered a look I’d never seen before, and it sent a wave of tremors through my insides. You looked Stunned. Shocked. Incredulous. Twenty minutes later as you moved around the room, you said, “Wow. I’m just having a hard time comprehending this.     Two … Continue reading →

Come Away With Him

Janis Van Keuren

Along the hiking path      The airplane ticket had been purchased during the long weeks of silence and wondering. I knew that I would need to escape the walls that closed in around me every weekend. A full week of Spring Break would either provide rest or more turmoil. I wondered, though, if distance, a change of environment, and time spent with my best friend could really grant me the peace I sought from the thoughts that assailed me. Hiking … Continue reading →

Joys Sprinkled Throughout the Days

Janis Van Keuren

     Searching for His joys throughout the day changes my perspective. I begin to see the blessings in my life and how the Lord is working. Joy refocuses my attention on the beauty the Lord is giving me for the ashes of broken dreams, anxiety, and fear. In these past two weeks, the Lord has poured out blessings in unexpected places. Everywhere, I’ve seen His hand from celebrating a birthday with a dear friend to a class trip to the … Continue reading →

Touches of Joy

Janis Van Keuren

     Woven through the storm clouds, God threads moments of sunlight. Rays that splinter the darkness, calm the anxious heart, refresh us with rest, and touch our spirits with His Joy. This week the Master’s golden threads were interlaced abundantly throughout my life. Praise God for His glorious touches of Joy and His mercies.      763) flowers from a friend to say she cares and that she is praying      764) cards that arrive daily from friends reminding me … Continue reading →

Setting Your Heart

Janis Van Keuren

     I snuggled onto our family room sofa to to read my morning devotional. But once I started into Colossians, Chapter 3, I could not stop.      “Set your hearts on things above,…” I read. The room was quiet and the view outside was cloudy creating a calming spirit in the room. I could see that my heart and mind were not focused on heavenly things but on those of this world–the housework, bills, family issues, work, worry about the … Continue reading →

A Chance to Meet IRL

Janis Van Keuren

Sharon and I enjoying a moment at the cafe outside of her church                 Last weekend while I was in California, I had the rare privilege of meeting one of my favorite blogging friends IRL, Sharon of Sharon Sharing God. In blogging lingo, IRL means In Real Life. That moment captured all the excitement, fun, sharing, and friendship I had anticipated. As a way to share this moment with our readers, we’ve done a mock interview. We hope it … Continue reading →

Cheese and Vegetable Squares

Janis Van Keuren

         Another potluck at school as we gathered to say “so long for a little while” to our outstanding Administrative Assistant and fellow Christian . She is that kind of person who greets the day with a smile. She makes you feel special–just because you’re you. The love of the Lord flows through her to everyone’s life she touches. And she had a pulse on everything happening in our school. She made it all flow smoothly.     We will miss her … Continue reading →

On Eagles Wings and Prayer

Janis Van Keuren

     Hidden off the main route was a pristine lake ringed by pine-forested hills. Majestic bald eagles swooped overhead as we stood mouths agape with wonder. Their giant wing span, strong grasping talons, and tenacity on display before us.      Watching them pierced my heart with an ache reminding me of mother eagles pushing their young out of the nest. It had only been a few months since I experienced my youngest fledgling jumping out of the nest. This mother … Continue reading →

Friendship is Good Medicine

Janis Van Keuren

A Friendship Candy Bouquet        Hubby has spent the past week recovering from knee replacement surgery. Our whole focus has been medicine, sutchers, knee exercises, swelling, icing, clicking joints, and all the gore that comes with surgery.     We’ve had few visitors except the nurse and the physical therapist. And I’m grateful for both of them, their expertise and their understanding. But there’s nothing like friends for making you feel better even if you aren’t.     Tonight, our good friends brought over … Continue reading →