Showing posts with label trial. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trial. Show all posts

Monday, March 29, 2021

Divine Design (updated)

.(here is the update mentioned this morning)

Last night my nephew's 19 mo. old son went missing
on their farm.
His body was recovered today in a manure pump.
Please pray for strength and comfort
for my brother Stuart and their family and
esp. for my nephew and his wife, Charles and Andrea!

I will say of the LORD, 
“He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
Psalm 91:2

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. 
My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield,
 and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

But the LORD has been my stronghold,
and my God is my rock of refuge.






No matter what designs the must of trials we pass through
In Thee oh, Lord we place our trust; our refuge is in You
With gaping wounds of heart and soul, beneath the blows of loss
We plead for faith to make us whole by looking at the cross
For when life’s cup of joy is marred by sorrow’s agony
You reach with Hands redemption-scarred; our refuge is in Thee

The places that once brimmed with love and laughter’s harmony
Are full of tears, our visage dimmed with groaning sympathy
To Thee oh, Lord we pour our prayer; when understanding fails
Help us to place our burden where Your faithfulness prevails
To lean upon your promises for they are kind and true
No matter what designs the test, our refuge is in You

© Janet Martin

 


Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Joy Challenge


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



Do we count it pure joy to suffer for faith’s cause
Or do we let the test destroy untried verbose applause
When trial’s lot employs the disciplining rod
Do we consider it pure joy and give glory to God

And do we let the test complete its sacred task
In ways that human wantonness would never care to ask
Do we gladly endure the cross that is our call
So that our faith will be mature and lack nothing at all

Do we with meek belief reckon Mercy’s consent
To try the wily, smiley chief of double-minded bent
Do we trust sorrow’s joys and suffer willingly
So faith is more than shallow noise lacking maturity

Do we suffer the thorn or simply want the rose
 When from time's flicker we are borne what proof will death expose
Will faith with steadfast gaze endure that last travail
As joy is turned to endless praise for He who did not fail


Dare we with wings untried rise up to meet our Lord
When Heaven's Groom Gathers His Bride dare she be smooth, un-scarred
When faith turns into sight as its armour grows cold
How sweeter then, the pure delight as we His face behold



© Janet Martin



Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Try As We May


 Truly touching articles in this latest issue of Rural Route!
Thank-you to everyone who allowed us a peek into your lives/hearts!
It really does remind us to remember those with heavy, daily crosses to bear!
Many of our other 'local heroes' are not featured in these articles and we remember you as well...
I was startled to realize within a five miles radius from our home are four husbands/dads living the remainder of their lives in wheel-chairs!
 (Wayne Martin, Doug Weber and Ralph Martin besides Robert who is the Front Cover photo)
...our hearts and prayers go out to them, their wives/families!


Below is part of the story from a young girl who is watching as her friends get driver's licenses. etc...
(Esp. touching to me as my niece is one of her faithful friends)
Warning; paragraph below may cause tear-flow💕


Some things we suffer will not go away
Nothing will alter it; try as we may
Still, not for nothing, the trouble life sends
This binds us nearer to fam’ly and friends
This shines the light of Love’s beam, true and dear
This ushers pity of God through each tear
This teaches us through the Yielding of Plan
 Of a Creator much greater than man

Who knows the mind of God? Not you or me
Who knows what trial is waiting to be?
But this we rest in; no matter the test
God, rich in mercy allows what is best
Man, poor in spirit will be Heaven-blessed
Man who is mourning will be comforted
Man who is meek will inherit the earth
Faith waits until fulfillment bares its Worth

Try as we may we are not in control
God is the Giver of body and soul
He, our Father loves us, one and all
Tender, the Mender of Man and The Fall
He, through His suffering and by His death
Brings to man’s suffering, hope in each breath
So we rejoice as we trust in the Lord
Heaven is waiting with sorrow’s reward

© Janet Martin

 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness."
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,
so that Christ's power may rest on me.
2 Cor.12:9