Category Archives: Word-Filled-Wednesday

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 →

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 →

Dusting of Love and Joy

Janis Van Keuren

        Rejoicing in the snow that scattered its white crystals over the desert floor. A welcome back to Arizona, saved in pictures by hubby and formed in the likes of a miniature snowman in our backyard. Backyard The front bushes looked like frosted cupcakes   Hubby’s handmade snowman, still standing in the afternoon        The snow refreshes, cleans, and covers so that every bristly bush sparkles with the Lord’s radiance. When heavenly dustings are so rare, they are … Continue reading →

Ancient Paths

Janis Van Keuren

     “This is what the Lord says:      ‘Stand at the crossroads and look;      ask for the ancient paths,       ask where the good way is and walk in it,        and you will find rest for your souls…’” Jeremiah 6:16 NIV      The crossroads. A time of decision. If we just look for the paths that were taken by saints of old. The paths so clearly marked in Scripture. Then we will find the good way. And … Continue reading →

Gifts in Trials

Janis Van Keuren

        The evening sunset filtered through dry, stick-like trees painted a picture reminiscent of the Sahara Desert. The thermometer hovered around 82 degrees today. In February. The record for today~85. Just two weeks ago, the temperature plummeted to 18 degrees at night~one degree away from the recorded low in the 1800s. With extreme cold and high temperatures and no rain, we are dry.      Yet in the midst of this desert, the Lord God has given us a reason to … Continue reading →

He Defeats the Enemy

Janis Van Keuren

Norther Arizona University’s Lumberjack Mascot      Like the gigantic lumber jack towering above our youngest son’s basketball team during a summer camp, the Lord hovers over us and looms larger than life aainst the enemy of our souls. Because our son attended a Christian High School, every game began with young men huddled in a circle, heads bowed. Prayers were lifted up for safety, strength, wisdom, godly character, and for the well being of their opponent. Yet, every young man … Continue reading →

Lessons From Chip, the Wonder Dog

Janis Van Keuren

          His face wags from side to side with delight as his fluffy, feathered-like tail swishes heart-stirring greetings to you at the door. Could there be any doubt that he adores you? He is Chip. Lovingly referred to as the “Wonder Dog” and the third bear cub in this almost-all-male household.      Enthusiastically, he leaps and bounds across the family room to bring you his treasured toy. Just waiting for you to throw it again as he dances air-bound … Continue reading →

Seeing Through His Eyes

Janis Van Keuren

          I have the privilege of working with a visually-impaired student. This second grader is full of life and joy. He wears an ear-to-ear smile every day, and hardly anything gets him down.      Together we’re learning Braille–although he has a couple of years on me. And we read books through a monitor that enlarges the print on the page to the point where it becomes clear to him. We drill through math facts and tackle the second grade … Continue reading →

Invoking the Blessings From God’s Word

Janis Van Keuren

A Psalm for the New Year:      “May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.     May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.     May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings,     May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.     We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up … Continue reading →

Close in Heart

Janis Van Keuren

      As we make New Year’s resolutions to improve our relationship with the Lord, it is reassuring to know that the Lord has already resolved to keep our hearts close to Him.        “I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good their children after them.” Jeremiah 32:39 NIV      Trusting Him to keep my heart close to Him~not just for me, but most importantly for … Continue reading →