Showing posts with label man. Show all posts
Showing posts with label man. Show all posts

Saturday, May 4, 2019

What Makes a Man


 This would have been posted on May 2nd
(Matt's Birthday poem)

Happy 21st Birthday, Matt!



It is the mind that makes the man
Not his physique, his health- wealth- tan
Who Table of Thought entertains
The output of the man explains
…where every action (swift or not)
Is first the dinner-guest of Thought

It is the mind that makes the man
It feeds the thought that feeds the plan
Where plan fosters then fathers deed
Its fruit exposing hidden seed
…where no one can fight sin and win
Without the might of God within

It is the mind that makes the man
Wise then, is he who seeks God’s plan
How else can he keep his way pure?
Or taunts of the Tempter endure?
And how can he be ‘man enough’?
Be strong, yet kind, tender, yet tough

How can he face the foe of Truth?
Or find the right path in his youth?
How can his steps fall undeterred?
By keeping in his heart, God’s Word
Because without this, pity then
The mind that makes beasts out of men

© Janet Martin

How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your Word.
I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, O Lord; teach me your decrees.
Psalm 119: 9-12

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Ultimate Goal...Happy 20th Birthday, Matt




Soon time for all its trouble takes
Each share of joy or strife
And from collected echoes makes
The picture of a life

Where rise and fall of day to day
Not one hour repeats
Grace pours into the painter’s tray
Fresh faith-and-valor fetes

Where constant charge of Now and Here
Is like a gift from God
Love’s colours of both smile and tear
Anoints time’s temp’ral sod

…and instills a most solemn Urge
Within the human heart
As subtle-swift, a steadfast surge
Turns moments into art

Were Gallery of Days Gone By
Showcases Learn and Teach
As That and This soon fills the eye
With pictures out of reach

…and what once seemed like ‘nothing much’
Clad in modest veneer
Becomes, beneath bequeathed taste-touch
A legacy, my dear

Then seek with all your heart, the truth
Pursue integrity
Remember in your days of youth
He who made you and me

With humble mind, take daily stock
Of Time’s Ultimate Goal
Where common tick and tock of clock
Soon strips all but the soul

© Janet Martin



Dear Matt,
 So thankful for the gift of you
that heaps the heart with joys
while soft and swift years turn into
What makes men out of boys

Lord, bless and guide and keep this man
Winnowed from boyish zeal
Lord, make him weak enough to stand
and strong enough to kneel

...and as the years unfold their due
 Of Unknown's breadth and length
Lord, help him learn to lean on you
For both wisdom and strength

Matt, so glad for the gift of you
For all that God has planned
I pray that you always cling to
 His kind, Unfailing Hand

Mom~

(also, SO thankful for all your friends, young men of integrity and truth!
 I often pray for you all!)

 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, 
before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say,
 "I find no pleasure in them"--

Isaiah 33:6
And He will be the stability of your times, 
A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; 
The fear of the LORD is his treasure.

Ecclesiastes 10:2
A wise man's heart directs him toward the right, 
but the foolish man's heart directs him toward the left.
 
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, 
and all these things will be given to you as well.

Ps.119:9
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.











Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Creed for Manhood...Happy 19th birthday Poem for our son, Matt








Regard none beneath your caring
But shoulder to shoulder trod
Son, be careful and be daring
For the kingdom of our God

Let love be your faultless weapon
Be not aimless in life’s quest
Run your race with grace-abandon
Seek the good and leave the rest

Learn the value of an hour
Earn the esteem you desire
Be the role model you look for
Be the man that you admire

Guard your heart from impure hunger
Always do the best you can
Love and gratitude works wonders
In the spirit of a man

Let the health of labor please you
Love your neighbor as yourself
Keep the Handbook from God near you
Not dust-covered on a shelf

When life riles you, look to Jesus
Pray often and trust His word
He, our help for human weakness
He, our true hope undeterred

Ah, He is always beside you
Wise and kind, forever-Friend
In each struggle, let Him guide you
He is faithful to the end

© Janet Martin

(they've come to expect it: a mom-poem in their birthday card:)

 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
            Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Prov.1:7

Sunday, January 15, 2017

We/He






He, tender lovingkindness, forgiveness for sinner’s seed

For He is God, the One True God and we are only men

© Janet Martin

…yet for us there is but one God, 
the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; 
and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, 
through whom all things came 
and through whom we live. 
1 Cor.8:6