Showing posts with label Light. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Light. Show all posts

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Candlelight Contemplation...

 Matt.5:14-16

“You are the light of the world.
 A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 
15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, 
and it gives light to all who are in the house. 
 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works 
and glorify your Father in heaven.

Letting love's light shine is easier said than done, isn't it?!
For just perhaps, when we think we're not faring too badly
along comes a sudden human-nature storm/retaliation
to remind us how mean and feeble we can be without
The True Light to light our little 'candles'

John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, 
and the Word was with God, 
the Word was God.
2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through Him all things were made, 
and without Him nothing was made that has been made.
4In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. 
5The Light shines in the darkness, 
and the darkness has not overcomea it.

Candlelight is such a gentle picture of love;
the way its glow warms and cheers the dark!
To keep a candle burning properly proper care must be given,
(such as trimming wicks etc.)
An example for us to examine our candle 
before we carry into Today!



To keep alive the light of love it must be fueled by the Source
We, on our own are not enough to fit love for its tender task
So, when we sense love’s flicker dwindle in the face of mean discourse
God will be faithful to rekindle love’s kind candle if we ask

Because we are so prone to bicker when we do not quite agree
The ready tongue is sometimes quicker than love’s reigned-in bark or bite
So, when the rumpus of a ruckus tries love’s sweeter sympathy
If we but ask Him, God will help us to steady love’s candlelight

So then, to keep love’s candle burning and to be less self-inclined
Means a consistent, conscious turning to love’s Faithful Uttermost

© Janet Martin




Saturday, December 16, 2023

Marvelous Light


Isa.9:2
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
 on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned...


I am 'labouring' through the last books in the Old Testament,
 groaning through the sobering passages of God's wrath and judgment 
for everyone who turns away from Him, because they do not fear Him,
 but worship others gods, and do not keep His commandments.

But oh, wonderful grace of Jesus, always with every judgment God reminds them
of his mercy and redemption for all who repent and come/return to Him!!






Rom.6:12-14
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires.
13Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness,
but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life;
and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.
14For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

Part of Zacharias's song in Luke 1:76-79

And you, child, will be called

a prophet of the Most High;

for you will go on before the Lord

to prepare the way for Him,

77to give to His people the knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins,

78because of the tender mercy of our God,

by which the Dawnf will visit us from on high,

79to shine on those who live in darkness

and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet

into the path of peace.”


The poem below is but a pale halo of awe, for words fail as we consider
the awesome love and mercy of God...


Into the darkness of the world that groans with scorn and spite
The splendor of hope is unfurled to pierce the dark with Light
To salvage us from death’s despair, from sin’s most cunning means
To draw us to repentant prayer where mercy intervenes

The Saviour of the world has come; Jesus, the Son of God
The Cornerstone of Christendom to bear death’s meanest rod
The Great I AM, the King of kings and Lord of lords became
The Lamb who takes away the sins of all who trust His Name

‘Ho, every son and daughter’ the Heavenly Father cries
Come, drink the Living Water from the well that never dries
Come and buy without money, eat to fulness without price
A land of milk and honey waits through mercy’s sacrifice

Into the darkness of the world in need of peace and joy
Behold, a great Light is unfurled, veiled as an infant boy
Who came to bring Justice to earth and hope to sorry strife
To pierce the fierce shadow of death with everlasting Life

…to guide our feet into the path of peace, away from sin
To satisfy God’s blameless wrath by bringing souls to Him
To soften stubborn hardness of cold hearts with mercy’s might
To call us out of darkness into His marvelous light

© Janet Martin


1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, 
a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, 
to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness 
into His marvelous light.


Isa.55:1-9
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money;
 come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? 
and your labour for that which satisfieth not? 
hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good,
 and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live
; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, 
and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God,
 and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts:
 and let him return unto the Lord, 
and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, 
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Where Multitudes Still Follow (and many turn away)



Matt.4:16-17&25
The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,
And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death
Light has dawned.”
   From that time Jesus began to preach and to say,
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven [c]is at hand.”
Great multitudes followed Him—


It's been a gloomy stretch of weather here...


The billows of snow from a little over week ago reduced
in short order to puddles!

We long for the great light of the sun after a long stretch of none,
yet, this but a mild comparison to the light of the world that has already come
and eternally pierced the darkness of sin and death!
Are you living in the joyful light/awareness of God's great love for you?

***

Multitudes followed Him where a Great Light had dawned
In the manger at Bethlehem, 
then Egypt and beyond
The One, prophets foretold of glory’s suffering
Had stepped to redemption’s threshold, 
the hope of man to bring

…calling all to ‘repent, for God’s kingdom is near’
Goodness and mercy’s covenant 
would pour in gory tear
Where faithful unto death the Lamb of God became
For the believer’s dying breath, 
life only death can claim

…and Jesus is the Name whereby mankind is saved
No minor prophet, He who came 
to conquer death’s dark grave
With a great light unfurled throughout eternity
Jesus, the Savior of the world 
can set death’s captive free

The light that cannot dim still gleams unto this day
Where multitudes still follow Him 
and many turn away
But those who trust behold what bold doubters ignore
Of signs that prophets long foretold 
when time will be no more

When the clouds will be seared, and every eye shall see
And look upon the One they pierced
 with their iniquity
And the whole world will wail at the sight of I AM
His power and glory unveiled 
as all ‘behold The Lamb’

But lo, all who repent and died to self are saved
Their names are written on the hands 
that Calvary engraved
But oh, all who refused 
love’s grace and truth to claim
Are released, by their choosing to 
Hellfire's unquenched flame 

© Janet Martin

I kept veering from the last line,
inadvertently trying to 'soften' it
but why?!!
life/death is a Heaven or hell matter!
there is no in between!

P.S. it feels fantastic to be upright without a spinning head after a day in bed with the flu.
My heart and prayers have been rekindled for those who spend day after day in bed!
My sister-in-law (Karen) is in the hospital since last Thursday 
suffering from a twisted bowel. Please join me in praying for her healing and
her and her family's encouragement!
My cousin who is an invalid due to MS, 
and his family appreciated your continued prayers as well!




Wednesday, December 28, 2022

A Love-ly Light



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

Don't you love
the light of love
in loved one's eyes?
Esp. children!!
don't you love the way they shine
with love without disguise?
and don't you hope and pray that we,
God's precious girl and boy
look at our Daddy lovingly
then shine and shine with joy?!!




Love does not scorn its charge
Nor loathe its perfect law
But lets the grace of God enlarge
Faith’s diligence with awe

Love, the Light of the world
Has pierced sin’s darkness through
It is God’s evidence unfurled
To shine in me and you

…to glorify the Name
Of He who came to save
And live God’s goodness to proclaim
For the gift His love gave

It is impossible
To confess ‘Christ in me’
Without love’s candle visible
For all the world to see

Then pray the Lord to keep
Our love from growing dim
Lest unawares, we fall asleep
And cease to shine for Him

Lord, let our light so shine
So that all men may see
The evidence of love divine
Bringing glory to Thee

Oh, what a lovely Light
The love of God instills
Where until faith is turned to sight
His glory spills and spills
 
© Janet Martin

This is one of the songs the choir hoped to sing at our church on Christmas Eve.
Though we were disappointed to cancel the service
NOTHING can cancel the true believer's joy and or the Light of the World!
Sing Hallelujah!!





Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Hymn of Joy (Inspired in part by Haitian Hostage release)

Just as the morning sun dissolves night's darkness with light
So Jesus, God's Son,(The True Light) dissolves death's darkness with life


this poem is inspired in part by Luke 18, 19& 20,
by Christmas as we dwell on God's gift to humanity,
by this week's advent theme, God's love,
and by listening to the account from Christian Aid
about the missionaries released after being held captive for 2 months!
(see link below)
The word 'freedom' for them, must surely have a sweeter and deeper joy than ever before!

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives,
 the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God 
in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b]
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
Luke 19:37-40
In captivity the missionaries sang, Just like Paul and Silas long ago
(pray their captors too will ask like that jailer did, what must I do to be saved?)

As we begin hearing details about the missionaries who were held captive
in Haiti, we cannot help but we awed by God's faithfulness
and weep for the sheer joy of the hope we have in Him!
May we continue to pray for them as they deal with the aftermath of it all!

Into the darkness of the age what joy True Light yet gives
God’s Word abides to show The Way; man’s steadfast hope yet lives
So then with confidence and peace through what we see, or not
We pray God may our faith increase for battles not yet fought
For heart-of-heart humility to obey and to trust
To eclipse the futility of worldly pride and lust
For we seek a city to come (Oh Lord, may it be so)
The perfection of Christendom beyond this world of woe
Beyond the darkness of the age, where, praise God, hope yet lives
To show the way, from page to page by the Light God’s Word gives

Then praise the one true God and keep the stones from crying out
‘He is not dead nor doth he sleep’ oh, may we never doubt
But undeterred press on to Sweet Redemption’s Aftermath
His Word a Lamp unto our feet, a light unto our path
He keeps in perfect peace the mind stayed steadfastly on He
Who is compassionate and kind and forgives you and me
Not repaying accordingly to what our sins deserve
He paid guilt’s debt at Calvary, in love without reserve
His gift of grace for everyone; what joy His True Light gives
God so loved us He gave his Son to save us; hope yet lives

Delight in the law of the Lord and he will give to thee
The full desires of thy heart, from worldly want set free
And as we gaze on He who bought our freedom with His blood
May we be awed anew by the redeeming love of God
And then, not grow disheartened but be filled with gratitude
And worship He who pardoned us, with hearts and minds renewed
To sing with joy and rejoice and again I say rejoice
Do not be silent, boys and girls but give your worship voice
The Beacon of God’s Word still gleams; what joy His True Light gives
Into the darkness of the world it streams and hope yet lives

© Janet Martin

Every so often I share this beautiful hymn because I love Jesus!

 


Thursday, December 16, 2021

Joy to the World (Christmas is Far More Than Just a Happy Holiday)


How shallow a happy holiday is compared to the Christmas Celebration
of God's gift to humanity when the fullness of time had come!

This post is inspired in part by Luke 15...

Gal.3:4-5
But when the fullness of the time had come, 
God sent forth His Son, born[a] of a woman, born under the law, 
5 to redeem those who were under the law, 
that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Hallelujah!
This week's advent theme is Joy...
Joy can seem a hard-fought battle when we focus on what we see without
The world groans with oppression,
with havoc and loss through natural disasters,
with sickness and sorrow,
but, Jesus is still the true light,
Still joy unspeakable
because He is the living hope for humankind...

Though you have not seen him, you love him;
and even though you do not see him now,
you believe in him and are filled
with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
1 Pet.1:8






Castles built on the sand cannot withstand life’s stormy cares
Thus, nations disregarding God, (fools, unfaith-flawed) will fall
The One who came to save us and to make us sons and heirs
Is still the Rock of Ages and the Godhead over all

He is not mocked; He who suffered and died to set us free
(Though some may scoff and buffer fear and doubt with foolish pride)
He, to his own a stranger on the earth, left majesty
Laid in a lowly manger at his birth, then crucified

All hail the True Light of the world has come, the Son of God
 Pierces the dark. A star unfurled in sympathy and grace
When all creation groaned beneath oppression's brutal rod
Jesus obeyed His Father and atoned the human race 

He fulfilled mercy’s masterplan, afflicted and despised
King of kings, rejected by man and acquainted with grief
Like a lamb to the slaughter led, eyes esteemed Him chastised
Not knowing yet that His blood shed hope’s bedrock of belief

Then let’s make Christmas more than just a Happy Holiday
Let’s worship and adore the Reason for this season’s joy
Jesus, is mankind’s Saviour still, hope’s confidence and stay
No death-fated dominion will with hate God’s love destroy

Like a banner, let’s lift the name of Jesus above all
And praise Him for the love that came to seek and save the lost
Though He could see the awful price and sorrow of God's call
He saw beyond the sacrifice and deemed us worth the cost

He welcomes home each prodigal and meets us with arms wide
He works in us the miracle of righteousness and peace
By gift of grace the soul is saved and sinner justified
Praise Jesus for the cross He braved, with songs that never cease

© Janet Martin

 'leap for joy, for great is the reward in Heaven'.
Luke 6:23

After hearing that the remaining missionaries that were taken hostage in Haiti exactly two months ago were released today I wept for joy! Pure joy! Praise the Lord!

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Advent Aria (for modern-day 'Marys')

 Inspired in part by Luke 1 

John 1:6-9
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 
7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, 
that all through him might believe. 
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 
9 That[b] was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.





Love is the Light that pierces the darkness
Crowning our cares with courage, not despair
Love is God’s presence in us, lest harshness
Of this old world would be too hard to bear
Mercy extends Hope’s pure consolation
Not in some Thing that at death’s door will dim
Through generation unto generation
Love is the Light that draws people to Him

Joy to the world, magnify mercy’s author
Bethlehem cradled God’s humanity
For Jew and Gentile, love sent a Saviour
Let the world cry then ‘be it unto me’
Let us like Mary, with utter surrender
Trust in He who we know will never fail
Love is mankind’s death-defying Defender
Love is the Light that rent the temple’s veil

Love fills the womb of Time with God's kindness
Love conceives and gives birth to daily grace
Love is the healer of faith's would-be blindness
Love is the seeking soul's sweet resting place
Blessed is He, the Lord God of Israel
Love is the hand that sacrifice will scar
Love is the gift of good news to all people
Love is the Light of the Bright Morning Star

Love is the keeper of Hope’s expectation
Someday all people will look up and see
Glory’s appearing, the God of salvation
Ending the advent of all prophecy
Fulfillment finished at His second coming
As Heaven descends to earth’s broken world
Where Love still waits for lost people still roaming
Love is the Light of the gospel unfurled

© Janet Martin





Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Look At Me!







Look at me! Look at me! they call, countless times a day, eager to impress their care-giver!
Oh, imagine if we did that to our Caregiver who is always watching over us
even though we cannot see Him!
(We/ I tend to plead the opposite, embarrassed/ guilty at our/my often less-than-eager efforts)

Imagine if we lived for our Creator with this mindset...

Look at me! look at me
Did you see? did you see?
How I gave willingly, without bound
How I put others first
Rather than, self-immersed
Paid no heed to the need all around

Look at me! Look at me
Did you see? did you see?
How, without jealousy I rejoiced
In the great happiness
Of another's success 
Leaving my disappointments unvoiced

Look at me! look at me!
Did you see? Did you see?
How I walked second miles for the weak
How, in the face of spite
I did not choose to smite
My opponent, but turned the other cheek

How, not stubborn and proud
I submissively bowed
 Beneath Mercy's Higher Command
Trusting Your promises
Rather than fuss and stress
Over ways I do not understand

Look at me! look at me!
I'm a sinner set freed
From the debt that I owed but You paid
Now all I want to do
Is love and honour You
In this beautiful day you have made

Oh, imagine if we
With true humility
Loved each other, how happy our cries,
'Look at me, look at me
Did you see? did you see
It is You that my life glorifies'

Janet Martin

 Let your light so shine before men, 
that they may see your good works 
and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matt.5:16



This constant contest of trying to 'shine the brightest'
reminds me how we are all created differently
with unique gifts and strengths
to allow all of us to shine the brightest
with the light God has instilled.

Let's try to twist ourselves inside out
with goodness for God's glory!
Because all goodness is but a reflection of You, oh God!






 

Friday, July 2, 2021

A Light-Matter (of Grave Import)

Below is a story of someone who came to
our very stomping grounds centuries ago to
light the world!
His commitment challenges us to a 
hold our own lights a little higher!!


From this Book-

Sometimes when those we dearly love devastate us with blatantly, 
unrepentant, sinful choices
it makes us examine how or if we have been lighting the world
or hiding it under a bushel of busyness, selfishness and distraction!

Go light your world
And fight love’s war
With kind humility
This is the day
Made by the Lord
Then lent to you and me

Go, light your world
With truth and grace
Of God’s unchanging Word
For who knows who
Is next to face
Death’s sickle undeterred

Pray for faith’s
Saving miracle
Where the drum-roll of doom
Is drowned out by
Hell’s carnival
While Judgment’s verdicts loom

A spark pierces
The deepest night
Then lift your Beacon high
For who knows who
Will see the light
That readies them to die
 
Go light your world
Proceed with prayer
And confidence in this;
No matter who, what,
When or where
God keeps his promises

© Janet Martin

Matt. 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. 
A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 
Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, 
but on a lampstand, 
and it gives light to all who are in the house.
 Let your light so shine before men, 
that they may see your good works 
and glorify your Father in heaven.





Monday, March 22, 2021

Morning Meditation for Soul-feet

 

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105



More, oh Lord, than light of morning
To be a lamp to our feet
More than blush and gold adorning
Where light and shadow compete
Where the way is wrought with pitfalls
That the sun cannot expose
As its east to west unravels
The path to life’s curtain-close

More, oh Lord, than resurrection
Of the orb that melts the dark
Pointing in the one direction
That will never miss its mark
Let your word, be like a beacon
And a lamp unto our feet
Let it light the way of reason
Ere death’s solemn gaze we meet

More, oh Lord, than light of heavens
Over each step to preside
Futile is yon molten lantern
Mortal’s deathless crux to guide
Thus, oh Lord, let your Word ever
Be a light unto our way
For Thy Word, oh Lord, will never
Lead the feet of souls astray

© Janet Martin









Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Whisper-weight


A whisper can move mountains...
I whispered as I watched the darkness begin to break 
beneath the weight of dawn's whisper

(and the next bit was a dash between keyboard and curtain-rise to a new day)😊









A whisper can move mountains When entrusted to the One 
Who woos from outer regions faithful rising of the sun 
Who decorates the heavens with a sumptuous glory-feast 
And feeds hunger for beauty from buffets poised on the east 
Who awes us, humbly human with his flawless majesty 
Who never turns a blind eye or deaf ear to you and me 
Who loves us so he gave the best He had, His only Son 
To pay the debt we never could for each and every one 
Who can call on His name if we but repent and believe 
A whisper can move mountains as His pardon we receive 
As mercy rends the veil of inner darkness with His Light 
Like morning's molten, golden whisper woos away the night 

© Janet Martin 

Matthew 17:20
"Because you have so little faith," He answered. 
"For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, 
you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' 
and it will move. 
Nothing will be impossible for you."

Matthew 21:21
"Truly I tell you," Jesus replied, "if you have faith and do not doubt, 
not only will you do what was done to the fig tree,
 but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,'
 it will happen.

1 Kings 19:11-12

The LORD Speaks to Elijah at Horeb
11Then the LORD said,
 “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD.
 Behold, the LORD is about to pass by.” 
And a great and mighty wind tore into the mountains 
and shattered the rocks before the LORD,
 but the LORD was not in the wind.
 After the wind there was an earthquake, 
but the LORD was not in the earthquake.

Meanwhile westward as best as I could see...
 (pretend the three pics are side by side)




1 Corinthians 13:2
If I have the gift of prophecy 
and can fathom all mysteries 
and all knowledge, 
and if I have absolute faith 
so as to move mountains, 
but have not love, 
I am nothing.