Monday, March 18, 2024

A Love Beyond Compare

One of my Sunday School students presented this artwork to me yesterday;
a picture she drew (with permission😇) while listening to the lesson!
I love my class of smart, beautiful, eager, full-of-potential school-girls!
Thank-you K.S.


My earnest prayer for all our Sunday School students,
is that the Holy Spirit would begin to waken and nurture,
as we gather weekly, (and as weeks turn into years,)
not just a belief in God but a love for God.
That they would get more than an education in Bible stories and facts,
but that the plan and gift of salvation would begin to unfold
a lifelong awe, reverence and wonder for God's love and grace!
Will you join me in praying too?!
They are little for such a very little time!
I also pray that we, their teachers, parents and grandparents 
live pure and humble testimonies
of genuine love for the Saviour of our souls
and the Lord of our lives!

***
Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works, 
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

***
Let's live love over and above
What Duty delegates
Let's love God, wonderfully awed
By His goodness and grace

Let's live aware of eyes that care-
fully watch every move 
Where actions shout and leave no doubt
About who we most love

Let's live a life of joy, not strife
Let's pay most earnest heed
To what we sow, because we know
Soon fruit follows the seed 

Soon innocence will climb time's fence
And leave childhood behind
Let's live love over and above
With every child in mind 

Before the heart grows hard, let's start
To plant, with tender care
Awareness of God's wondrous love:
A love beyond compare 

Janet~


Ephesians 5:1-2
 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 
 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us,
 a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Monday Medley of Meditations


There's nothing quite like love's heartaches to remind us
of the Living Hope found in the Healer of the human heart
and rouse reflections on how our own lives reflect

Saturday night awed hearts with art
only God can orchestrate/accomplish!






So did Sunday morning!!!
(after a 'sheepish' snowfall overnight.
It was a bit like walking on fleece; soft and soundless)





By the grace God has given me, 
I laid a foundation as an expert builder, 
and someone else is building on it. 
But each one must be careful how he builds.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you:
 Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, 
but think of yourself with sober judgment, 
according to the measure of faith God has given you.

***

Oh, self-inflicted agony
Oh, cruel way to live
Clinging to hate's hostility
Unwilling to forgive

Oh, what an awful way to face
A new day, mercy kissed
Greeting the goodness of God's grace
Not with praise, but raised fist

Oh, pray we do not waste each chance
To love each other, for
Today is like a gift God grants
To love Him more and more

How much we love Him, none can hide
Love's language plain to see 
By how freely self is denied
In light of Calvary

© Janet Martin 

***

We never will get it quite right
Human nature is bound to err
Better to forgive than to fight
Better to be kind than to swear

Or wield a vengeful, verbal knife
Darkening thought with bitter darts
Better to hold the gift of life
In gentle hands and thankful hearts

How futile, the vile mastermind
That plots ways to retaliate
Better to be patient and kind
Better to love, my dear, than hate

© Janet Martin

***

When All That Remains Is What Was...

We pass this way but once, my love
How long the way will be
Until the soul slips from its glove
No one can know or see

Thus, we do well to live each day
As if it were the last
To cheer each other on life's way
Ere death's shadow is cast 

...and all that remains is What Was
With those we leave behind
Pray, life's echoes are sweet because
They are gentle and kind 

© Janet Martin

Every test God allows in our lives is but an opportunity
to yield to and trust
and to bring Him glory!!







Saturday, March 16, 2024

Oh My God, Since Thou Art With Me

When I am tempted to despair
God bids me lean on Him in prayer
There He tramples the enemy
As He whispers His peace to Me


The world may sometimes seem like a different place
 than in 'the good, old days'
 but it isn't really. Evil has always been evil 
and God has always been faithful and good!

1 John 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them:
 because greater is he that is in you,
 than he that is in the world.



Ps.18:2
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; 
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; 
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.




Oh my God, since Thou art with me
Thou who givest life its breath
Thou who walked the way to Calv’ry
Thou who bore love’s cross, to/through death
Thou, whom death could never conquer
Thou, whose Name grants hope its goal
Thou, the Victor of grave’s plunder
Thou, the Saviour of the soul
Thou, who satisfies Want’s hunger
Through Thy everlasting word
Thou, who fits us with faith’s armour
Thou, whose will is undeterred
Thou, who orchestrates each season
Thou who numbers all our days
Thou, whose ways transcend our reason
Thou, whose love never betrays
Thou, who never will forsake us
Thou, whose promises secure
Thou, whose favor longs to make us
More like Thee; holy and pure
Oh, my God since Thou art with me
To commune and commandeer
Thou, whose Light transcends death’s valley
What have I to dread or fear?

Oh, my God, since Thou art with me
Thou who suffered for my sin
Thou whose blood out-poured, redeems me
Thou, whose Spirit dwells within
Thou, my Comforter in sorrow
Thou, my fortress, come what may
Thou who bidst me not to borrow
Morrow’s troubles for today
Thou who cheers me in the struggle
Thou, who guards me from despair
Thou, who is my help in trouble
Thou, who hears my earnest prayer
Thou, whose purpose will not falter
Thou whose power will prevail
Thou, who beholds worship’s altar
Thou, whose Ransom will not fail
Thou, who receives my confession
Thou, Forgiver of sin’s shame
Thou, who keeps no record of them
To crush joy with guilt or blame
Thou whose Goodness overwhelms me
Thou whose mercy overrides
Oh my God, since Thou art with me
What have I to need besides?

Oh my God, since Thou art with me
Thou who holds Time in Thy hands
Thou, Cradle of eternity
Thou whose Supreme Say commands 
Thou, whose Provision is perfect
Thou, whose judgments never err
Thou, who is changeless in edict
Whose love is beyond compare 
Thou, who stepped from Heaven's glory
To be sin's Atonement Lamb
Author of Salvation's Story
I AM who I say I AM
King of Kings and Lord of Lords, yet
Thou, Redemption's Once-For-All
Thou, who broke the curse sin beget/begot  
Thou, who saves us from The Fall
Thou, who did not spare His body
But with selfless sympathy
Put on flesh, became nobody
Suffered in all ways, as we
Thou, who rent the veil to ritual 
Thou who saves us by His grace
Oh my God, since Thou art faithful
Who could ever take Thy place? 

© Janet Martin



John 17:3
And this is life eternal, 
that they might know thee the only true God, 
and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Psalm 100:5
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting;
 and his truth endureth to all generations.

Psalm 93:2
Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.

Friday, March 15, 2024

First Signs of Spring


Blue and gray canopy 


laden with showers

Bashful green filigree 

kindled with flowers...

Landscapes the color of weathered burlap...

Bird-warble wakening earth from its nap...

Robins return with their antics and lays...

Treetops still barren are ringing with praise...

Bleak garden canvases start beckoning
Exciting artists with first signs of spring...


Blue and gray canopy laden with showers
Bashful green filigree kindled with flowers
Lengthening daylight and dusk lingering
These are a few of the first signs of spring

Landscapes the color of weathered burlap
Bird-warble wakening earth from its nap
Stiff breeze and soft zephyr tug-of-warring
Thrilling our thoughts with the first signs of spring

Robins return with their antics and lays
Treetops still barren are ringing with praise
Bleak garden canvases start beckoning
Exciting artists with first signs of spring

Raindrops plip plop in a wild hip-hop dance
Sun-kisses tease eager hearts with romance
Sugar-shacks teem with maple-tree’s sweet fling
Drizzling warm pancakes with first signs of spring

Windows edge upward to let in fresh air
South-facing porches are graced with a chair
Pretty pussy-willow bouquets are purring
From front hall tables with first signs of spring

Refurbished rivulets ripple and glim
God, its great Maestro and joy, its glad hymn
Unfurled, like silver ribbon-song shimmering
Winding through meadows in first signs of spring

© Janet Martin

Pretty pussy-willow bouquets are purring
From front hall tables with first signs of spring...

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Through the Means of Today


"That our sanctification did not depend upon changing
our works, but, in doing that for God's sake which we commonly do for our own.
That it was lamentable to see how many people mistook the means for the end,
addicting themselves to certain works which they performed
very imperfectly, by reason of their human or selfish regards...."

by Brother Lawrence



We ought to pay close heed
To dawn’s gift on display
Because of where its moments lead
Through the means of Today...



Some folk I have outlived
And some will outlive me
Through the means of Today, a gift
God grants mortality

The tally of the sum
Of Today-shadows cast
Are like flickers that will become
My life, when life is passed

The breath that holds the soul
At bay, someday will cease
The means of getting to the goal
Will expire its lease

We ought to pay close heed
To dawn’s gift on display
Because of where its moments lead
Through the means of Today

The means is not the end
The ‘seen’ will soon be through
Let’s live as if Today could rend
The veil between the two

…where there is no release
To what none can outlive;
The end begins what cannot cease
And God alone can give

Oh, pray we bear in mind
Far more than dust of clay
In grave-strewn worlds soon left behind
Through the means of Today

© Janet Martin

Ps.107:8-9
Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
 For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness.

Sharing some morning robin and finch cheeriness!
(in between traffic noise!)







Wednesday, March 13, 2024

If Skunks Could Fly...

A bit of silliness to start today...

Last night in the course of conversation I mentioned how 
I had a dream/nightmare that skunks could fly!
I didn't elaborate but it was quite traumatic which is likely why I remember it!
 I was bent over in the garden and one landed on my back
 and started turning round and round like some animals do, 
trying to find a comfy spot for a snooze...
and I couldn't move for fear it would spray!!! then I woke up😅😂😂)

One of the listeners kiddingly challenged me to turn it into a poem.
haha!! Of course, he (Glenn) should have known I can never resist a poem-challenge😁

***
Ps.118:24
This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.


I didn't have a picture of skunks but I took a photo of these beauties on Sunday!
They cooperated nicely
unlike the loon, that disappeared every time I clicked...😅


(Thankfully no flying skunks landed on the lake!)


It could be worse; sin’s curse of few-and-full-of-trouble-days
Sometimes we fret, and forget mercy’s very caring ways
So, if you’re feeling down and out, with doubtful, poutful sigh
Remember that it would be worse if God made skunks that fly

Imagine, when you settle for a little outdoor nap
A flying skunk would flutter down, kerplunk, into your lap
And you would need to wait, stock-still until it flew away
For fear you startle it and be drenched with stench of skunk-spray

Imagine a day at the beach, if like sea-gulls, skunks flew
And hovered overhead waiting for a stray fry or two
Or if, while tending gardens we would need to watch our back
Against possible peril of a flying skunk attack

What chaos would ensue for me and you; oh, aren’t you glad
That heads are not in danger of being skunk’s landing pad
And we don't need to worry about skunks building a nest
In our favorite tree; my, my, but aren't we sweetly blessed?!!

This is the day the Lord has made, rejoice, be glad in it
So much could be much worse, we all humbly have to admit 
So, when we count God's mercies, among many mentioned things
I think that we should add, ‘that He did not make skunks with wings’

© Janet Martin

If you are familiar with Peter Santenello's videos HERE you will recognize Titus!
The guy in the hat! Singing






Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Beneath a Rush of Rose and Gold



A glorious spring-like morning 
can't help but rouse a humble tip o' the poet's hat
to the Giver

Wishing/praying God's blessing of joy to you today!
(my extra-special joy comes today in the form
of two little girls who used to be in my childcare!)



Earth’s ridges reappear beneath a rush of rose and gold
Birds warble welcome-hymns of cheer where days to years run bold
From the hand of the Giver like a bud bursting with hope
Like a gleam-giddy river as the snow melts from the slope
Light eddies into nooks and crooks like ocean-surge run wild
It overflows the air like brooks, like laughter of a child
And suddenly, like lambs in spring, faith leaps with joy, reborn
Beneath the rush of mercy’s Wing, the night is turned to morn

© Janet Martin

Acts 17:24-31

The God who made the world and everything in it 
is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 
25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything.
 Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 
26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; 
and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.
 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, 
though he is not far from any one of us. 
28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’[b
As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’[c]

29 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, 
we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—
an image made by human design and skill. 
30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, 
but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 
31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. 
He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”




Monday, March 11, 2024

How To Replenish Love's Delight...



“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord”
 (Romans 12:11).

Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart,
 for God has already approved what you do.

Above, a few verses from a few Daily Bread devotionals I missed on the weekend
because we were away for a bit!

Great verses to contemplate as we begin a new week!


May your week be as sweet as a Krispy Kreme donut!
(One of our stops)



It's easy to be filled with delight while savoring donuts,
but life/love isn't always as soft and sweet as a fresh donut, is it?!
If it was we would become fat and foolish,
sluggish and selfish!

James 1:2-4 BSB
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, 
when you encounter trials of many kinds, 
3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
 4Allow perseverance to finish its work, 
so that you may be mature and complete, 
not lacking anything.

To overcome despair
Is to replenish love's delight
Through faithful, thankful prayer

Is to fix our eyes
On He whose hope elates
Whose grace made possible the prize
That faith anticipates 

Is to count our joys
Rather than our woes
Is to seize what each morn deploys
And dusk draws to a close

Is to choose what is right
And forgive fellowman
And in each flight from morn to night
To do the best we can

Because God gave His best
Because He loves us so
To dwell on this renews the zest/quest
No care can overthrow

Because when we believe
We walk by faith, not sight
And as we trust we will receive
Love's replenished delight

Janet Martin

Jer.17:7
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,
 whose confidence is in him.

Psalm 40:4
Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, 
who has not turned to the proud, 
nor to those who lapse into falsehood.