Saturday, July 12, 2025

Making the Most of Life

Ps.5:11-12
Let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: 
let them ever shout for joy because Thou defendest them: 
Let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee.
For Thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous: 
favour wilt thou compass Him as with a shield.

***
There are few things which make life as meaningless, as selfishness.
Small wonder then that the two greatest commandments
challenge and cheer every choice we make
every day.
***
Our gains and blessings are never given to pocket, but to share.
How prone human nature is to self-indulgence,
rather than recognizing where there is added blessing
there is added responsibility to bless and give...

***
When we are tempted to hide the 'talent' in the earth
whether of money or spiritual gifts
to protect it from failure and loss
let us pray to the Giver for help
to trust Him more.

***
When, with what we are given, we seek first the kingdom of God,
by honouring the Giver, then success is guaranteed,
far beyond what the naked eye can behold!

***

Recently I purchased a little book
(so I would qualify for free shipping from Amazon) 😀


It is a beautiful vault of godly wisdom and exhortation!




(and the above excerpts are just the first few paragraphs!!)

Our greatest understanding cannot comprehend God's ways
Lord, let it be enough for me to trust Thee all my days

How brief, accumulation's lease; the treasures we accrue
Where, how/where how, we concentrate life's wealth is up to me and you 

How holy is each breath we take; each choice we make, oh Lord
Help us to make the most of life by reck'ning the reward

~Janet Martin


Friday, July 11, 2025

Flower Garden Goodness


Sometimes goodness seems shattered in this broken world of ours
Until we linger in the friendly fellowship of flowers


Sometimes we find it hard to reconcile life's highs and lows
Until we stop to listen to the counsel of a rose


Sometimes with good intent we rush headlong into the day
Without taking a moment to 'behold lilies' and pray


Sometimes, the path of righteousness would be a doleful due
Save for the flower gardens it is bound to draw us to/through...


Some of the greatest sermons that the heart has ever heard
Are preached from petal-pulpits without uttering a word

© Janet Martin






Matt.6:25-34 BSB

25Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?f

28And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first the kingdom of Godg and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.


Thursday, July 10, 2025

For Each Today, Fresh Made...

'Put sprinkles on mine so I will be really happy'
ordered/requested an eager, innocent three-year-old recently
as he watched me scoop, wishing the ice-cream was blue, 
like the picture on the cone-box.
(is that how we sound to God sometimes??
Asking for sprinkles while he is scooping generous
helpings of ice-cream?!)


Stand in awe and sin not.
Ps.4:4

This morning I had all but the final two lines down in today's poem
before Duty prevailed...

Sausage to can...

Grand-kiddo helpers to pick peas...




Mercy, in tender splendor sets the wick of morn ablaze
For we, time's fortune-spenders in a sequence of todays...




Mercy, in tender splendor sets the wick of morn ablaze
For we, time's fortune-spenders in a sequence of todays
Where ups and downs, bound to perplex the architect of dreams
Wait, once again to test and vex and prove what love esteems

Creation's constant glory seals the evidence of God
Wonder, like holy thunders peals in each soul, humbly awed 
While laughter and tears ebb and flow, while sorrow-billows swell 
*Where holding turns to letting go and hello to farewell 

Let us reason together the Duty of you and me
To kind and humbly weather both beauty and misery
Not on our own but by the grace of God, who made all things
His steadfast Presence helps us face whatever today brings 

Mortal wish sometimes disagrees with purpose God-bestowed 
'An ice-cream cone with sprinkles please' is not a pleasure owed 
And all the 'sprinkles; in the world cannot compare, when weighed
With mercy's  faithfulness unfurled in each today fresh-made

Janet Martin



*Where holding turns to letting go and hello to farewell 
(the above lines inspired by the heart-wrenching tragedy of the Texas flood)
Tears and prayers flow...

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Because Our Time on Earth is Brief...


Lest we 'fall into temptation and a trap because we want to be rich' 1 Tim.6:9
making it exceedingly difficult to
'love God first and our neighbour as ourselves, Luke 10:27
let us 'serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling'! Ps.2:11

Lest we label 'faithfulness in obedience' as legalistic
in an age of increasing nonchalance,
let us take heed, if we think we stand, lest we fall' 1 Cor.10:12

Lest we drown out God's voice with noise of worldly ploys,
oh Lord, remind us to be still and know that you are God. Ps.46:10
Let us delight in Your law and meditate on it day and night!
So we will be like a tree planted by rivers of water
bringing forth fruit in season,
and leaf that does not wither,
as whatever we do shall prosper. Ps.1:2-3


Our church family is invited to participate in reading through the Psalms during July and August!
Would you like to join us, and also be ministered to by these powerful chapters of Scripture?


Because our time on earth is brief
Not one single soul can afford
To live as if this world were chief
For soon we all will meet the Lord

The Lord is He who gives and takes
His breath instills each breath we draw
Then for Him and fellowman's sakes
Pray love to be our lifelong law

...because our time on earth is brief
Lord, make us more humble and kind
And help us live each day as if
Today we'll leave it all behind 

Janet 🙏💝


Tuesday, July 8, 2025

When Former Things Have Passed Away



Sometimes, whether foolishly or wistfully
I use the phrase 'heaven on earth' as I did this morning,
while gazing awe-dazed, at a rain-mist dazzled flower garden/roses...
However, Bible readers know what Scripture tells us;
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
1 Cor.2:9


When we without dark glass between
Will see Him, face to face...








When former things have passed away
What a day that will be
When God transforms The Potter's Clay
To Immortality
  
When hope becomes reality
When prophecies shall cease
When knowledge ends and love will be
Eternal joy and peace

When God will wipe away our tears
When He settles faith's score
When pain and sorrow disappears
When death will be no more

No jealousy, envy or greed
No sin to mar or taint
When former things of want and need
No longer test/try the saint 

When we without dark glass between
Will see Him, face to face
And the Unseen becomes the Seen;
God's fulfilled Gift of grace

When we behold His dwelling place
When He makes all things new
When we are drawn in the embrace
Of God, Faithful and True

Tears, fears, grief, pain yield to decay 
Death crowned with victory
When former things have passed away
For all eternity

~Janet Martin

A few versions of a hymn that is growing increasingly dearer with
every parting of loved ones who have believed and received the gift
of salvation; eternal life! 





And last but not least one of the most precious and sobering passages in Scripture!

Rev.21:1-8
All Things Made New

1Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth,
the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.
Also there was no more sea.
2Then I, [a]John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
 prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,
“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, 
He will dwell with them, they shall be His people. 
God Himself will be with them and be their God.

4And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; 
there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. 
There shall be no more pain, 
for the former things have passed away.”

5Then He who sat on the throne said,
 “Behold, I make all things new.” 
And He said [b]to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
6And He said to me, “It[c] is done!
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.
I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.
7He who overcomes [d]shall inherit all things,
and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
8But the cowardly, [e]unbelieving, abominable,
murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers,
idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake
which burns with fire and brimstone, 
which is the second death.”

Monday, July 7, 2025

Hope, What a Precious Word

Without hope all we need is lost! with hope (in God) all we need is found!


Why art thou cast down, O my soul?
and why art thou disquieted in me?
hope thou in God:
for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. 
Ps.42:5


Today's poem is inspired in part by the above verse, 
and in part by our message yesterday morning from Ps.23
as God ministered to His flock through the preaching of His Word.
As we hope in Him our good Shepherd restores our souls! 

  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for...Heb.11:1

Romans 8:24-25
For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all.
 Who hopes for what he can already see? 
 But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.

2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Hope-what a precious word; 'hope thou in God' Amen
With strength and joy restored, hope in God sings and sings

A Shepherd to the soul; when cares and sorrows press
Where wayward paths increase and fattened feelings taunt
Hope eclipses desire with peace and cries 'I shall not want'

A Comforter and Friend; unyielding, in the fray
Hope arms and anchors; does not bend to 'did God really say?
But with glad confidence beneath His rod reproved/behooved

A Rock that does not shift through howling gales of change
Hope anchors us, lest we should drift and let sight, faith estrange
As God tests wish and whim with patience-honing ways
Take up hope's cross and follow Him with persevering praise

Effort and rest, in sync; seeking God's kingdom first
As the deer pants for brooks to drink, Hope in God slakes faith's thirst
And never disappoints; His gift of grace enough

© Janet Martin

Eph.2:4-5
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ
 (by grace you have been saved),...


Saturday, July 5, 2025

Sweet, Sweet July Song (or Summer)


I began this poem on the last day of June
each stanza beginning with 'Sweet Summer'
but, the door closed on June before
I had a chance to completely corral verve into verse
so, instead there was born a sweet July song
with some June-strains woven through it...
a sit-back-and-savour summer-weekend siesta
kind of song!

Happy First Weekend of July 2025!

Sweet July/summer sweeps through living’s rooms
In whispers of wisteria plumes...


In bright bursts of myriad blooms
So lovely to behold...


She tap-dances in drops of rain...


And splashes puddles on the lane...


And waves a wand through fields of grain
Transforming green...


... to gold


Sweet July sighs in grassy bars...


And spills to window-sills in jars
Filled with pleasure unfurled...


She glories in sun-beaming kiss
Grins in lip-smacking berry-bliss...




Sweet July, sets cerulean skies
Above a glimpse of Paradise...


From arbours red with rose...


Sweet July spills a patchwork quilt
Across landscapes,


Sweet July sings in welkin brooks
She steals the dreamer's picture books
Contentment feasts on glorious nooks
Of Glad Reality 
Like cornfields flushed with robust stalks 


Like the delight of twilight walks
With carefree company ...



Sweet July sweeps through living’s rooms
In whispers of wisteria plumes
In bright bursts of myriad blooms
So lovely to behold
She tap-dances in drops of rain
And splashes shadows on the lane
And waves a wand through fields of grain
Transforming green to gold

Sweet July sighs in grassy bars
She dazzles pastures with dew-stars
And spills to window-sills in jars
Filled with pleasure unfurled
She glories in sun-beaming kiss
Grins in lip-smacking berry-bliss
Whilst comforting what is amiss
In this broken-down world

Sweet July smiles to you and me
From isles where wells of ink flow free
With one-of-a-kind poetry
Only God can compose
From wisp ‘o willow serenade
From cool, beckoning pools of shade
From hues prominently displayed
From arbours red with rose

Sweet July sways in leafy limbs
And plays a plethora of hymns
For July is a fount that brims
With perfect, purest praise
From oriole, song-sparrow, lark
 From fireflies, dazzling the dark
From children laughing at the park
Happy for summer days

Sweet July, sets cerulean skies
Above a glimpse of Paradise
She spreads picnics for butterflies
And busy/buzzy honey-bees
She strews ballrooms where bare feet dash
Through childhood's fleeting spark and splash
While we, with echo's dust and ash
Forge precious memories  

Sweet July sings in welkin brooks
She steals the dreamer's picture books
Contentment feasts on glorious nooks
Of Glad Reality 
Like the friendship of hollyhocks
Like cornfields flushed with robust stalks 
 Like the delight of twilight walks
With carefree company 
 
Sweet July spills a patchwork quilt
Across landscapes, wildflower-gilt
Wonder erects a temple, built
For worship's awed esteem 
The seed begins to burst with fruit
Thrilling the gardener with loot;
Onions, peas, carrots and beet-root
Heaven-on-earth cuisine

Sweet July slips through afternoons
An invisible minstrel, she croons
Ageless, page-less green ballad-tunes
Strummed on ten-thousand  strings
She overflows the heart with joys
And meadow-pond with laughing boys
The Belle of Summertime deploys
Happiness fit for kings  

Sweet July bids us walk by sight
And taste her fare of pure delight
And satisfy Want’s appetite
With slow and steamy hours
Where no one can afford to make
Less than the most of give and take
Where every day is like a cake
Decorated with flowers

...and dusk is like a getaway
From Duty's Musts of middle-day
Where gardens are a place to pray
And thank-God for July
For fields where farmers reap its hold
For Masterpieces, manifold 
As His handiwork is extolled 
From land and sea and sky

Janet Martin

The seed begins to burst with fruit



Thrilling the gardener with loot;



Onions, peas, carrots and beet-root...


Heaven-on-earth cuisine...



...and dusk is like a getaway
From Duty's Musts of middle-day




Where gardens are a place to pray
And thank-God for July...