Showing posts with label gifts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gifts. Show all posts

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Only The Best Will Do or Perfect Best

This is the time of year
we start wracking our brains for perfect gifts
because only the best will do when it comes to saying
'I love you'

When considering our efforts of finding 'the best'
doesn't it evoke a picture of God, 
before that first Christmas morn,
looking down on the world, 
His heart shattered with love as He wept,
for He knew 'only the Best will do!'
when it came to proving His love
 for me and for you!

Matt.1:21
And she will bring forth a Son,
 and you shall call His name JESUS,
 for He will save His people from their sins.”

I LOVE the lyrics to the song below



This is the time of year
Unlike the whole year through
When we choose gifts for loved ones dear
Only the best will do

In this season of love
Boxes and bags become
Vaults filled with motley treasures of
Socks, books, toys, candy, gum

Presents are squirreled away
In unsuspecting nooks
A kind of game that parents play
Lest Curious Youngster looks

Reason softens its stance
As love and prudence wrest
As budgets and hearts spar and dance
To find The Perfect Best

The Perfect Best is love
Therefore, love longs to show
The best it can, reflections of
First Christmas, long ago

When Heaven’s Perfect Best
God’s equal, put on man
Knowing the cost, did not contest
Salvation’s perfect plan

Because God loved us so
On that first Christmas morn
Into this sin-cursed world of woe
A Redeemer was born

For God looked from above
And He saw me and You
And said, as His heart broke with love
Only the Best will do

So, God gave us a King
A gift beyond all ken
His only Son, Jesus, to bring
Peace and goodwill to men

A gift that saves the soul
And flings ajar a Gate
That leads to faith’s ultimate goal
Where God and heaven wait

Then pray, this time of year
We rev’rently recall
The Reason for the season, dear
The gift that says it all

For things are only things
Love is the Perfect Best
The gift that only Jesus brings
Makes perfect, all the rest

© Janet Martin


John 3:16
For God so loved the world that
He gave us His only begotten son,
that whosoever believes in Him
should not perish but have everlasting life

Phil.2:5-8
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus:
6Who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God
something to be grasped,a
7but emptied Himself,
taking the form of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross.

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Gift-awareness

 

“What you are is God’s gift to you, 
what you become is your gift to God.”
 ~ Hans Urs von Balthasar

...as He rekindles skies with molten gold and rose




The rose glow was brief, soon snuffed by a shroud of impending spring showers




This life we live is like a gift we open every day
To glorify the Giver by the things we do and say
To solemnize the prize that God’s renewed mercy bestows
With praise, as He rekindles skies with molten gold and rose

This life is like a race that teaches runners to endure
For joy still set before us that this world cannot secure
And no one knows how near or far the finish line is set
Before we cross into Yon Incomprehensible Yet

This life composes testaments we should not overlook
Each day a sacred page we fill and God seals in a Book
Where we all hold a precious part in His heart and His plan
And all are called to love Him first and then our fellowman

This life is like a gift we open every morning, oh
Then pray we seek to honor He who grants Time’s fresh ‘hello’
And live as if today could be the final gift, before
We pass over the finish line into Forevermore

Oh, what a dreadful pity if, too late we recognize
The gift of day-to-day was but the prelude to the Prize
But what a joyful morning it will be for all who saw
Beyond faith's frond and humbly esteemed each new dawn with awe 

© Janet Martin

Rom.11:33-36

O, the depth of the riches
of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His judgments,
and untraceable His ways!

34“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been His counselor?”j

35“Who has first given to God,
that God should repay him?”k

36For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.
To Him be the glory forever! 
Amen.

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

A Sweet Endeavor


However God has gifted each of us, may our desire be to
use the gift to bring before Him an offering of praise;
 'a sweet aroma to the Lord!'
a phrase repeated over and over into today's scripture reading...
...a sweet aroma to the Lord
Lev. 1:9,13,17, Lev.2:2, Lev.3:5,16

(as sweet as two little girls having a tea-party💖)






This flight that fuels greeting and farewell will soon adjourn
The sightlines of Today soon snuffed as Time is borne away
Then in the light of this, as we weather life’s twist and turn
May we yearn all the more to trust the Giver of today
Whose mercy, new each morning is sufficient, come what may

Rouses in some a solemn sense of Matthew twenty-four
Earth’s stage is set for prophecy’s fulfillment to unfold
The wage awaiting one and all is pounding on a door
Like storm-charged surf resounding as it seethes against time’s shore

This beckoning-before-The-Reckoning, kindles dawn’s flare
Where deception and rejection thrive like a vile disease
As promotions of ignorance, like oceans of despair
Roll over sin-seared consciences with terrifying ease
As if each moment does not groan with God’s atoning pleas

This gift, this gracious gift granted by God’s grace, kind and good
And truth that does not shift and love no knowledge can explain
Is worth the whys and wherefores of mercy misunderstood
God’s word assures believers that our faith is not in vain
(though not all who say ‘Lord, Lord’ will Heaven’s reward attain)

…but those who do the will of God, who trust Him and obey
Whose offering of praise is a sweet-smelling sacrifice
Though scoffers scoff, fooled by the serpent’s ‘did God really say?’
High minded and unholy in thinking darkened by vice

Oho, this flight that fuels greeting and farewell is swift
Its sightlines tune a volatile vista of numbered days
Thus, in the light of this may we embrace its fleeting gift
And never handle thoughtlessly that which ought to amaze
And fill every endeavor with sweet offerings of praise

© Janet Martin

tea-party cleanup!



Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Life's Best Gifts...


Today was bittersweet; the last day for one of the tots in my childcare
because he is going to be a big brother soon!
But oh, what a day it was!


... a medley of messes and music!
Beginning with a most spectacular unveiling...






...and as much as I miss the tots when they leave,
 I miss their moms just as much (if not more)!
because they've become dear friends forever!

Life’s best gifts do not fit inside a box
But often take us by tender surprise
As what appears quite commonplace unlocks
A vault of wealth dressed in darling disguise
Of innocence of little girls and boys
Reminding us of childhood’s purest joys
Of happiness gift-wrapped in mess and noise
And beauty we don’t always recognize

…until the past claims its inherent due
With age old ways that stun us constantly
Exchanging what we are accustomed to
For something new to startle you and me
Reminding us to live-laugh-love-and-pray
To take the time to treasure each today
Because The Present is a gift; its tray
Laden without tomorrow’s guarantee

The gifts that fit in boxes bring us cheer
And let a loved one know that they are prized
But the gifts that we hold forever dear
Are often hug and smile and teacup-sized
As hours like flower gardens unfold
Lavish extravagance of moment-gold
Granting gifts that only the heart can hold
With what is often commonplace-disguised

We often wonder at the way time flies
Like feet wearing holes through new pairs of socks
The thunder of What Was mingles with sighs
Of thankfulness for what today unlocks
In skylines running rife with life to seize
Before morn’s frame is filled with memories
Where sooner or later each heart agrees
Life’s best gifts do not fit inside a box

The gifts we cherish most are works of art
Forged into friendships from life’s highs and lows
The keepsakes that we cradle in the heart
Are love’s most fond and favored mementos
Of what at first glance may seem like not much
Just work and play and hope and pray and such
Until we slow enough to taste and touch
Too many gifts to count, that grace bestows

© Janet Martin

Of what at first glance may seem like not much
Just work and play and hope and pray and such...



below, in the summer, her favorite snack is popsicles!
in the winter I think her favorite snack is icicles😍






Every good and perfect gift is from above...
James 1:17


Tuesday, December 13, 2022

A Get-Rich-Quick-Forever Gift!

 

Inspired by the riches of Ephesians 1&2, Phil. 2, and so many more scriptures
All hinged to the Reason for the Christmas Season
Oh may we desire the wealth of spiritual blessing
possible only if we receive The Gift. God's Gift of grace

(Note: this is not a wealth of ease and material opulence,
because this wealth was bought with a great price!
But the price gives us access to all the priceless promises of God)





Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
who has blessed us in the heavenly realms 
with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Eph.1:3

God’s gift of glorious grace
In meanest cradle lies
The riches of redemption veiled
In baby’s newborn cries
The hope of humankind
Descends from Heaven’s throne
To mercy’s masterpiece designed
Death’s sentence to atone
Through the shed blood of Christ
God trumps Lucifer’s schemes
From His Own Offspring sacrificed
Pardon’s profusion streams

…to lowly sons of earth
The holy Son of God
Suffered the pains of human birth
To bear rejection’s rod
…and suffer unto death
Even death on a cross
The King of kings offered Himself
To be a Lamb for us
The Son of God became
The Name believer’s hail
He suffered crucifixion’s shame
To rend the temple’s veil

So, all may freely come
Hope’s riches to embrace
The Cornerstone of Christendom
God’s gift of glorious grace
No more to be enslaved
By doubt, greed, pride and fear
But through faith, by grace we are saved
We, once far off brought near
To taste death's sweet release
Where Jesus took our place
His blood, the purchase price of peace
God’s gift of glorious grace

Ah, here all praise begins
Death falls like shackles spliced
We, who were dead in our sins
Are made alive with Christ
God, who is rich in love
Forgives this sinful race
Through the exceeding riches of
Jesus, God’s gift of grace
That in ages to come
His kindness might be known
Through we who benefited from
The kindness Christ has shown

© Janet Martin






Friday, April 16, 2021

Thus She Has Promised To Be True


How long are you going to keep this (poem/poems-a-day) up, I've been asked.
I can't say, really, other than
As long as God provides the 'page'

Why is this my answer?
'what is the use of poetry'?!
Is it really His calling/gift to me, or simply my passion/outlet?
So, as I prayed I made a decision that until I sense his confirmation I will take a break!
I climbed into bed and picked up a book I just purchased from a local Thrift Store. 


After rifling through its poem-pages, trying to decide which ones to read
I decided to start on the very first page...


(the whole page)

I have not looked back since (only up)
until the Giver deems otherwise...

Thus, this student asks for grace from those 
who are far more fluent, educated etc.
By the grace of God, write I,
for his honour and glory
with gratitude for what He gave (and withheld)!

When I was a youngster I was sure that shining athletic abilities, esp.
in volleyball or baseball was where true happiness lay!
So I would practice literally for hours throwing/heaving
a ball into the air and catching it. 
My payoff? black eyes, and skinned elbows and knees
 as Best Effort stumbled and slipped and misjudged...
(Contrary to what I was told, practice simply would/did not make perfect)
To this day still, when I throw a ball
 where it will land, in which direction, is anybody's guess.
Yes, often behind me, and I'm still baffled
as to how that happens😂

I have discovered that happiness lies in accepting and being grateful
for what is lent and Thus, being mindful on how it is spent.


He cupped her in His hands and said
No athlete, This Wee Miss, instead
I’ll weave within Her filigree
A soul that aches with poetry
A hunger, not appeased with bread

I’ll plant her dust with word-lust’s corm
Not gift of gab, nor dancer’s form
But ears to hear and eyes to see
The Font of would-be poetry
To take her modest frame by storm

I'll let a poem fill the gaps
That some assuage by swimming laps
I'll let a page produce the rush
That some engage with paint and brush
I'll tune Her to the tree that claps   

Thus, she has promised to be true
To tides that rush her through and through
In oceanic ebb and flow
To grapple with the undertow
Of poems without voice or hue

There is a world that waits to shine
Its gates pearled with breath-soft design
Where trust must pry a sigh apart
To trace the trestles of the heart
And wrestle stars to lilt and line

She reaches up, feels for the hands
That cupped Her as He wove her strands
To sift the quickened sands of time
And snare its rhythm into rhyme
Knowing the Weaver understands

When is enough, Enough, some ask
While heavens tip dawn’s mercy-flask
While hills and rills run wild with spring
While His touch instills everything
That fits the poet for her task

© Janet Martin



You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
 the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, 
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Isa.55:12

Monday, August 31, 2020

Life's Great Masterpiece...

By The Rivers of Babylon


Psalm 137:1-3
By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept
when we remembered Zion.
2There on the willowsa
we hung our harps,
3for there our captors requested a song;
our tormentors demanded songs of joy:
 
Sometimes when I see the sparse masked attenders at church
(due to covid restrictions)
and as we meet masked shoppers and we hear of old people
literally dying of loneliness I pine deeply for a pre-Covid world and
I wonder if this is a teeniest glimpse what the Israelites felt like as they
hung their harps/instruments of praise on the willows
by the river of Babylon
and wept for the old days/Zion...

Let's not hang up the instrument He has given us to play
but no matter what play to praise Him!!

What has the master lent to thee thy calling to fulfill
In life’s great orchestra, what instrument did He instill
What gift, what tool, what trade did He entrust to His increase
Where we all have a part to play in Life’s Great Masterpiece

No matter where we stand or sit or lie, the Lord is near
He keeps careful account with watchful eye and listening ear
Then oh, take heart; He makes us able to master the skill
It takes to learn to play our part according to His will

Sometimes our fingers get so sore and oh, we get so tired
Sometimes the ‘music’ feels like war, its order undesired
Sometimes the composition seems to make no sense at all
And then sometimes we try to rearrange His sacred call

Forgive us when the Melody is nothing like You planned
Because we shift our focus from the Baton in command
Where no one is too high or low to love our fellowman
And heed its call whereby we go in Life’s Great Masterplan

We ought not hang our harps upon a willow tree and weep
And pine for days gone by; we have an awesome charge to keep
Then pray we do not wish for someone else’s tool or quest
But humbly seek His purpose and honour Him with our best

What has He lent to you and me, to serve with perfect joy
No instrument is insignificant in His employ
Then oh, take heart and do not long for exchange or release
For we all play an awesome part in Life’s Great Masterpiece

…where God hears every lisp and lilt, each minor syllable
In life’s great orchestra no player is invisible
Then oh take heart; let’s play our part without reserve because
Soon our tools will fade into faith’s thundering applause

© Janet Martin

Can't find your instrument?
Get on thy knees...
 
The devotions of the past 3 days convicted/encouraged me to give Him my all
 no matter what!!









Monday, December 2, 2019

Gifts Beyond My Reach to Give...


There are some gifts beyond our power to give...
No matter how much we wish we could
our part is but to pray we would all seek and find!



My dear, this Christmas if I could my gift to you would be
The assurance that comes from trust in more than we can see
The peace that passes understanding in this world of woe
Or joy unspeakable grounded in grace whereby we go

I’d like if you could unwrap hope to carry in your heart
To help you cope no matter what, its priceless work of art
Would draw you like a brilliant star when life is dark and cold
To seek and follow from afar like the wise men of old

My dear, I’d find the Perfect Gift and we would call it Love
And then no matter what life brings this gift would be enough
When disappointment dashes dreams or scars you in the fight
This love would minister to you like an angel of light

My dear, this Christmas if I could I’d bring these gifts to you
And pray that they would cheer life's way with courage kind and true
But these are gifts that you must seek and never can receive
Until your faith has made you whole with two words, I believe

© Janet Martin


 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--
and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
Ephesians 2:8