Showing posts with label David Wesley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David Wesley. Show all posts

Monday, March 18, 2024

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!!







Friday, January 26, 2024

Perseverance Perspective...


First perseverance, 
then the prize!
Sometimes we forget 
and want the Prize now!




James 1:2-8
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a
whenever you face trials of many kinds, 
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 
4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature 
and complete, not lacking anything.
 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,
 who gives generously to all without finding fault, 
and it will be given to you.
 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, 
because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea,
 blown and tossed by the wind.
 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

The testing of our faith produces perseverance!
I used to subconsciously equate the word 'testing' with physical trials
such as sickness, death, natural disasters etc.
but in the phrase 'trials of many kinds' one I had not considered
until perhaps the past few years,
and one that has many once confessed believers denying their faith,
is the fact that because our minds cannot explain or reconcile
God's thoughts and ways and commands
 (whether in the Old Testament or
 in this age of love and holiness misunderstood)
disillusionment/confusion/anger forsakes faith
rather than letting the test produce perseverance.

Heb.6:11
And without faith it is impossible to please God, 
because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists
 and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

God doesn't meet us on our terms.
We meet Him on His, laid out ever-so-changelessly
and perfectly in His Word,
Let's pray for a more humble faith, 

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus 
and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, 
remembering you in my prayers.
 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation,
 so that you may know him better. 
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened 
in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, 
*the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 
19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. 
That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted
 when he raised Christ from the dead 
and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,

That sin seems still to test the faith of many!
Lord, help us hate the sinfulness of sin (in so many subtle forms).
Lord, help us to look on You,  soberly and thankfully remembering
 what You suffered on our behalf to save us from sin's penalty!
Forgive us if we should forget!



Forgive us, Lord, when we forget
And wise in our own eyes debate
Thy love and righteousness and fret
At the prerequisites of faith;
'the substance of hope, unashamed
the evidence of Things Unseen'
Believing all You have proclaimed
And trusting You to intervene

Where often love misunderstood
Could kindle a fault-finding rue 
Remind us You work for the good
Of all who put their trust in You
The Promise, yet with humble hearts
Being assured, they still believed

Forgive us Lord, when we neglect
To see the sinfulness of sin
And thus, unconsciously reject
Thy loving, still, small Voice within
Forgive us when we minimize
The bloodstained cross of Calvary
And far to often fail to prize
The price You paid to set us free 

Forgive us when we, with proud thought
Contest Your higher thoughts and ways
And dare to grumble at our lot
Rather than lifting hymns of praise
And should faith tremble in the gale
Of tests and troubles that must be
Remind us, this is but the veil
Faith's Last Gasp rends, then we will see
(*the riches of the glorious inheritance)

© Janet Martin





Saturday, February 11, 2023

Until We Kiss The Hands That Hold Us...


Evil in its lowest forms of hatred for God,
in shameless applause for sin!
Disasters that destroy and wreak unfathomable havoc and grief
oh God! We cry and You hear!

Psalm 18:6
In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help.
 From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.

David's new release feels like perfect timing
Our thoughts and prayers are with many suffering, 
esp. those in the earthquake aftermath




Some hurts would be too hard to bear without God’s hand to hold
Life, but a valley of despair where tragedies unfold
Hope, a hollow oblation in the station of the mind
Seeking sweet consolation, it can never fully find

Some hills would be too hard to climb without God’s hand to clasp
His word transcends the march of time; His goodness is steadfast
Where, like an outstretched Hand God’s word will undergird and still
The heart-storm when we do not understand love’s perfect will

Some crosses would feel merciless, without God’s Hand to trust
Without unfailing promises to cheer our weary dust
To comfort us because we know He never leads astray
But for faith’s benefit will show the error of our way

Some sorrows would seem hard, too hard without…ah, look and see
Behold his hands, how they are scarred because of Calvary
He suffered in our stead to break the curse of sin so man
May undeservedly partake of pardon’s perfect plan

Some wonder is too much to spell with lowly ink of thought
As we bow where love’s blood-drops fell and death’s triumph was wrought
Where redemption enfolds us and hope anchors us until
We kiss the hands that hold us in love’s pure and perfect will

© Janet Martin


Monday, January 16, 2023

What Do I/We Know But This...


'Being a follower of Jesus is so sweet and wonderful and easy!' I said to myself yesterday,
...while sitting quietly in the comfort of a church pew
...being fed from God's Word!
Then BOOM!! As soon as I get up reality hits!
 I stick my foot in my mouth,
 I blunder,
 I err in judgement and desire,
I let Satan mock me, 
unnerve me, 
discourage me, 
oh!! the battle is real 
and relentless 
and hard!
Prayers often reduced to nothing more than 
 a flood of tears and groans...help me, God, help me 
to know how to honor and glorify You and only You.
this morning His answer seemed to flow distinctly through the
Bible in a YearGenesis 39 - 40; Matthew 11 passages 
summarized in two words 'trust' and 'obey'!


(I originally wrote this in first person but then changed it to 'we'
because together we weather the wants and woes and taunts and blows 
of faith's highs and lows...)

What do I/we know but this; when I/we trust and obey
The blessing of God’s presence is sufficient for the day

When God’s Words contradict what logic deems as right
Obedience and trust commit to walk by faith, not sight

God’s higher thoughts and ways hone hope’s humility
Blessed is the one who obeys unconditionally

Satisfied to believe what is not understood
Knowing God’s promises achieve His purpose for our good

Oh God, forgive me/us when I/we err in what I/we seek
The spirit is willing, amen. But oh, the flesh is weak

Lord, rebuke stubborn pride and teach me/us how to pray
Because wisdom is justified when I/we trust and obey

© Janet Martin

(sharing another good old hymn by David Wesley)


I think I started over 5 times with today's poem...
resorting at last to what we were repeatedly advised to do
when I was part of a writer's group years ago
'write what you know'...inspiring the first line instantly
'what do I know?? but this...

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Beautiful Renewal



We couldn't see what was on the other side of this bridge!!
Turns out it was a soccer and baseball field😐


We couldn't see what was on the other side of yesterday's election!
Turns out, more of the same!😐


We cannot see what waits on the other side of Time/life!
How that turns out depends on Who we choose to serve/obey here!

Man is NOT our hope! Hallelujah.
We do not need to become bitter or live in fear or defeat!
For what is seen is temporal but what is unseen is eternal!
So once more, the verse I shared the other day;
Therefore we do not lose heart. 
Though outwardly we are wasting away, 
yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us
 an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 
18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,
 since what is seen is temporary, 
but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Cor. 4:16-18

From here to there sight cannot tell
What waits to fill the gap between
But because This is temporal
We fix our eyes on the Unseen

Lord, help us choose to be thankful
For Who we know will never fail
Where what is seen is temporal
And what is not, You will unveil

Therefore, then we do not lose heart
Though outwardly we waste away
The confidence that You impart
Renews our spirits day by day

© Janet Martin

Here we are, diverse cultures fixed, as believers in Christ, on the Solid Rock!



Whom Shall I Fear-David Wesley









Wednesday, December 16, 2020

In Spite of Bitter-Sweeter or While We Ate Eggs



A few conversations with sisters/friends had me contemplating how much
bitter-sweeter this Christmas seems without the joy of family and friend get-togethers;
how photos in the mail are bittersweet; how keeping the enthusiasm
in much modified plans is bittersweet!

Then, nothing like children to shift our focus...



Why are you listening to this song? asked little Girl 
through mouth full of scrambled egg.

Um, because it talks about Immanuel, I answered...
(I love the words to the song below)

 

Matt.1:23
"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, 
and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us").

...so, while we ate eggs we talked about God; 
God With Us, Immanuel
no matter what, or where or when we are never alone!
God is with us all the time so we don't need to be scared or too sad.
How often as I try to teach children my words preach to me...


Bitter-sweeter ring the anthems of the worship we employ 
Gratitude and longing duel in Hope’s bitter-sweeter joy 
As wonder and hunger mingle in a bitter-sweeter trust 
Where an ocean of emotion rolls through mankind’s Soul-full dust 

From the heart of Love Unfailing to this groaning, broken world 
Hope Immortal keeps its promise in each breath-banner unfurled 
Through the Christ-child, born of Mary, in a stable so forlorn 
Came man’s Scapegoat, our pardon, on that first glad Christmas morn 

Bitter-sweeter bow the branches laden with fresh fallen snow 
Mirroring the heart that gazes on a scene of long ago 
Where still faithful through the ages gleams the Star that cannot dim 
As from bitter-sweeter places we still come to worship Him 

Come, and raise a hymn of gladness to He who came to atone 
Praise Immanuel, God With Us, we are never all alone 
Praise the One whose name is Jesus, come to save people from sin 
So the bitter blight of Eden, by God’s mercy will not win 

Hallelujah, hallelujah, bitter-sweeter flows our hymn 
As we gaze upon the Christ-child who would be torn limb from limb 
Where love, faithful to his Father did not scorn salvation’s plan 
But obeyed salvation’s Author; Son of God born son of man 

Hallelujah, hallelujah, praise He who has overcome 
Greater is the One within us than this world’s most mighty sum 
He, who came to earth to save us with love none can comprehend 
Will not leave us or forsake us but is our most faithful Friend 

© Janet Martin 


Matt 1:21

She will give birth to a son, 
and you are to give him the name Jesus, 
because he will save his people from their sins."




Monday, November 23, 2020

Does His Name, the Name of Jesus...



It's not too early, is it...
to turn our eyes toward Bethlehem?

Behold Him (Official Lyric Video) - Paul Baloche ft. Kim Walker-Smith

 

Immanuel (From The Squalor of a Borrowed Stable)




Does His name, the name of Jesus stir a love song in Thy soul 
Does He melt the mountain-shadows from landscapes beyond control 
Does He thrill and fill with wonder the eternal child within 
Does He satisfy heart-hunger when we fix our gaze on Him? 

Does His Name, the name of Jesus calm the waves of doubt and fear 
Do You feel Him right beside you in the trench of Now and Here 
When the darkness starts to thicken and threatens to snuff hope’s flame 
Tell me then, does your pulse quicken at the mention of his Name 

Does His name, the name of Jesus draw you back to Bethlehem 
Have you peered into the manger like the shepherds way back when 
Have you followed with the masses through the streets, or climbed a tree 
Have you knelt and wept with sorrow at the cross of Calvary? 

Does His name, the name of Jesus take you to an empty tomb 
Where a Rock would never deter or detain Heaven’s Bridegroom 
Does His name, the name of Jesus as trouble and strife increase 
Fill thy vessel in the tempest with an everlasting peace 

© Janet Martin 



Thursday, November 19, 2020

Choosing the Whether (for whatever waits to be)

 

Stunning start to what waits to be...


How easily and often we check the weather forecast, 
No one can choose what weather will be.
Thankfully not so with Whether;
And the Whether we choose makes all the difference in the world.
Our viewpoint is shaped by the 'whether' we choose!


Due to an unexpected week off I am on a closet-drawer-room fall-cleaning rampage!
Today, hopefully the living/dining-room.
tomorrow...um, let's wait till then to decide because plans
are always subject to change and rearrangement!




Heaven spills magenta oceans o’er emerging land and sea 
Dawn is like a door flung open to whatever waits to be 
We could hound the bounds of morrow with sorrows not suffered (yet) 
Or borrow from Present Mercy, faith to proceed step by step 

Fear is like a crouched predator too afraid to show its face 
Stalking doubt’s perimeter with harsh predictions void of grace 
Ah, we could fall prey to Dread’s bandit; fretting and forgetting He 
Who will never leave us stranded no matter what waits to be 

We are all today’s First-timers grappling with Time’s Now and Here 
Are we agile, faith-child climbers, or are we crippled by fear 
We are all in this together; tethered to the hand we’ve got 
Where God lets us choose the Whether; whether we trust Him, or not 

Happiness is not a lender favouring a Lucky Few 
It waits for all who surrender, heart and soul, to you know Who 
It is up to us to do it; take faith’s flying leap to see 
Whether God will help us through It, no matter what waits to be 

© Janet Martin 

"Be strong and courageous, 
do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria 
nor because of all the horde that is with him; 
for the one with us is greater than the one with him.
2 Chron.32:7




Tuesday, October 27, 2020

This Song Is Not For Everyone



The wise will be put to shame;
they will be dismayed and trapped.
Since they have rejected the word of the Lord,
what kind of wisdom do they have?

Jer.17:5&7

This is what the Lord says:
“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who draws strength from mere flesh
and whose heart turns away from the Lord...

...But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, 
 whose confidence is in him.




This 'song' below is not for everyone 
But for anyone 
who puts their trust in God


To the ruler of earth and Heaven; Forgiver of sin 
Where the darkness is riven by His light without, within 

To He who instills bud and seed with miraculous mien 
And satisfies the need of all who by His blood are clean 

To He who helps us muster faith when we trust in his Word 
And grants us confidence because His Way is undeterred 

To He who does not lead the sheep of his pasture astray 
But is a Faithful Shepherd, no matter what scorners say 

To He who WAS, IS and Will BE, whose love will never fail 
Who paid sin’s debt at Calvary and rent the temple’s veil 

To He who understands the prayers we pray and always hears 
The pleas we cannot utter as they fall in groans and tears 

To He who receives everyone who believes in his Name 
And does not count against us damning track-records of shame 

As far as east is from the west as pardon’s rivers pour 
He washes our sin-debt and remembers it no more 

To He who does not change like shifting shadows but abides 
And is hope’s steadfast anchor in Time’s tumultuous tides 

To He who bends autumn with leaves and lends wonder’s fine art 
Who does not judge our harvest-sheaves by size but by the heart 

If He postpones His coming will upon the Saviour call 

Who does not bribe, but beckons with an everlasting love 

To He who promises to bless we who trust in the Lord 
Thine is the kingdom, power and glory forevermore 

© Janet Martin 








Friday, October 16, 2020

The Poet/Poem's Charge


An unexpected day off means unexpected extra-poem time! 
Between more mundane mandates, of course 😀





But writing poetry is far more than easy, breezy rhyme time!!


The poet’s task 
Pours from a flask 
That holds a large 
Charter of Trust 
Thus, if we drink 
This sacred ink 
We bear a charge 
Most serious 

For poetry 
It seems to me 
Is more than mere 
Rhythm and rhyme 
It is the ilk 
Of malt and milk 
Poured through the sphere 
Of thought and time 

…for beck and call 
Of madrigal 
is more than paint 
With verbal laud 
A poem is 
A kind of kiss 
To reacquaint 
The heart with God 

© Janet Martin 

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] 
all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 
giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, 
do all to the glory of God.

 - 
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: 
in doctrine [shewing] uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,



love this song and this version!

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Sweet Confidence or Complete Confidence


Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, 
 that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90:14

While writing this poem I looked up today's Daily Bread Devotional,
What encouragement, what hope we have in this little life on earth!


 

Love how this fellow-Ontario-an/Canadian David Wesley uses his gift for God's glory!




The love of God for man 
Thought cannot comprehend 
The love that in Eden began 
Its wonder without end 

God’s favour rests upon 
Unfeigned humility 
His faithfulness ignites the dawn 
With Hope’s authority 

Where evil dominates 
With hate, dread, gloom and fear 
The goodness of God permeates 
The heart with love’s kind cheer 

What gladness Mercy grants 
Where joy and heartache wend 
No matter what the circumstance 
God is a faithful Friend 

The power of His name 
Pierces the dark with Light 
We hope in He who overcame 
Death with eternal life 

Therefore, though we are tried 
Our confidence is sweet 
For if God is on our side 
No evil can defeat 

© Janet Martin 

this morning I am including the passage before the verses I have shared the past few days...

Romans 8:28-39

God Works in All Things

28And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. 29For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.

31What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God— and He is interceding for us.

More than Conquerors

35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:

 For Your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.