Moment By Moment

This morning our hearts are full of thoughts and prayers

 for every student, parent/grandparent,

 teacher, bus driver etc...as a new school year begins!

(For me, long gone are the days

Which in the moment felt forever-ish)

when mother/me would frantically cry,

'Run!! The bus is coming!!'

First day of new school year always makes me a bit teary!

My grandchildren, moment by moment are 

growing up so fast!

Gr.4, Gr. 2. & JK

Photo Credit, their mom

And so,

Moment by pure, new, unflawed moment 

we begin again, wherever in life we are!!! 

In the momentum of moments God instills momentous grace

Every drop of life is virgin from a fount no hand can trace

Taste and see from welkin coffers, pure, unsullied pardons glance

As God, rich in mercy offers moment-by-moment fresh chance

We are not bound to our fumbles or stumbles left in the past

From unplumbed reservoirs tumbles unmarred Moment, mercy-cast

Breath-by-breath bestowed allotment runs from gracious God to man

Holy, holy, every moment that compiles a lifetime’s span

Praise God; beyond man’s intrusion brims a moment-meted spring

Never a lapse, or confusion where Time’s sacred sparkles wing

Through our often, thoughtless bearing, as we drink from Heaven’s cup

Never pausing in our raring quaff even once, to look up

God, forgive our sight-charged blindness; inhale, exhale, moment-grace

Lavished with your loving kindness; always new moments replace

The old, with unblemished measure, soon beneath Reply succumbed

Then Lord, tune us to Time’s treasure tumbling from fathoms unplumbed

Some day the relay of moments will leave nothing in its wake

Save Reply’s scattered mementos to God’s sacred give and take

Save the part, for aye unaltered, for which we will give account

For moments that never faltered from Goodness and Mercy’s Fount

Pray, while we still may we live a life of humble gratitude

And do not neglect to give God praise for grace, moment-renewed

Drop-by-drop draught of pure wonder, breath-by-breath beholden laud

For the holy, rolling thunder of moment-by-moment, God

Janet Martin

Ps.90:12

Teach us to number our days/moments,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

A Precious Promises Prayer (because of the preciousness of our faith)

All flesh is like the grass; its glory like a flower-field ...

The grass withers, 

the flowers fall...

2 Cor.7:1 NIV (see Cor.6 for context)

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends,

let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit,

perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

or NKJV

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, 

let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,

 perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Today's poem/prayer

inspired by the above verses & Rom.12, 1 Pet.1 & 2 Pet.1

Not out of compulsion or other legalistic due

Lord, help us perfect holiness with sober reverence

Because You are not mocked; both Your love and judgments are true 

Then for your glory Lord, help us to seek obedience

...not as religion's burden or a noose to happiness 

Not as a key to Heaven (for we have been saved by grace)

But as evidence of faith's commitment and thankfulness  

As we crucify self and put Your glory in its place 

You are the Vine; forbid we boast Your Name yet bear no fruit 

But, You in us and we in you may thus love's charge fulfill 

Renew our minds, so we view life through eyes, wise and astute

No longer conformed to this world but to Your perfect will 

Lord, help us not hold lightly, the gift of Your saving grace

Purchased, not with perishable things such as silver and gold

But with the precious blood of Christ who died in our place

Who redeemed us for riches that cannot be bought or sold 

Therefore, having Your very great and precious promises

Your divine power equips us with everything we need

To live a godly life, empowered by Your righteousness 

By being born again through Your imperishable seed 

All flesh is like the grass; its glory like a flower-field 

The grass withers, the flowers fall, but not your Word, O Lord

Throughout eternity Your Sovereignty will be revealed

To all who believe and receive the promise of Your Word 

Lord, by the grace You give help us to live for you each day

Recalling oft salvation's awful price You paid, and then

Because of the preciousness of our faith, gladly obey

And be a living sacrifice for Your glory. Amen

Janet Martin 

2 Pet.1:3

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness

 through the knowledge of Him who called us by His owna glory and excellence.

4Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, 

so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, 

now that you have escaped the corruption in the world 

caused by evil desires...

(Read the whole Glorious chapter HERE)

God’s Precious Promises – Dr. Charles Stanley

On Keeping Simpler Days Alive...

I LOVE simple things,

like bowls and baskets of freshly-picked garden-fare...

like the meals they make...

 like lines of clean laundry flapping in the breeze....

like puppies...

like almost dinner-plate-sized hibiscus...

The list really is endless, isn't it?!!

Sometimes we look back at the simpler way life used to seem

Where time has smoothed the bumps and twists and left a kind of dream

-world in its place; its weariness and brokenness forgot

As we trace precious yesterdays with sentimental thought

Sometimes we mourn Bygone's idyll of simpler, slower pace

And in life's seeming frantic quest for more, feel out of place

Forgetting for the moment, what remains no mystery;

To keep life's simpler days alive is up to you and me

Sometimes the wily ways of want seem to have seized control

Influencing a kind of pace that drains love of its soul

Too pushed to pause and let the beauty of creation awe

Too rushed to linger where progress does not enforce its law

Time's breadth of Day remains the same; twenty-four hour lease

The Word of God will never change; it leads in/to paths of peace

(For the unknown has always tried the hope and trust of hearts

Progress still cannot compensate for what God's Word imparts)

Sometimes we mourn the seeming loss of simpler yesteryears

Before technology seduced and enslaved eyes and ears

While just as it has always been, God's handiwork abounds

In evidence of He whose steadfast mercy still confounds

Sometimes it seems what mankind deems as progress, serves instead

To maim the mind, with chains designed to bind and leave for dead

But wisdom is still free for all to seek and find, if we

Remember what we leave behind is up to you and me

 (thank-you Wendell Berry)

The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world; this is still so

Dear mother, homemaker, remember this when you feel low

And quite forgotten in a world where VIP's  compete 

The charge of keeping simpler days alive is no small fete

  

The charge of keeping home fires burning is a high call

For happy home-sweet-home is surely the best wealth of all

Where simpler ways are praiseworthy, and blaze contentment's trail 

Where gratitude is still the key to joy that cannot fail 

The simpler days had their fair share of trouble's portion too

As wisdom's worth was then it is today, and all time through

We are the master of our choices just as They were then

And simpler days can still survive if we so choose. Amen

Janet Martin

Prov.2:1-8

My son, if you accept my words

and store up my commands within you,

2 turning your ear to wisdom

and applying your heart to understanding—

3 indeed, if you call out for insight

and cry aloud for understanding,

4 and if you look for it as for silver

and search for it as for hidden treasure,

5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord

and find the knowledge of God.

6 For the Lord gives wisdom;

from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

7 He holds success in store for the upright,

he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,

8 for he guards the course of the just

and protects the way of his faithful ones...

💗💙💚💛💜

If you still have zucchini and you're not sure what to do with it

the casserole in the above photo is a quick, satisfying supper,

Esp. with a side of freshly sliced tomatoes

or garden-medley salad.

The pictured salad is simply a blend of Greek salad ingreds.

tossed with a light dressing...

Zucchini Casserole

3 eggs, 

1/4 cup olive oil

Whisk then add

1/2 cup flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

whisk till smooth then stir in

2 cups shredded zucchini 

1/2 cup thinly sliced onion

1/4 cup green pepper

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley

1 finely chopped jalapeño pepper (optional)

1/2 -1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup (or desired amount) of meat 

such as cooked ham, bacon, sausage or pepperoni

(also optional)

Pour into a 9x13 or similar size casserole dish

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes

Part of the Miracle (that every kindness makes)

'Sometimes I wish that others could see how little it takes

 to make another person’s day and put a smile on their face' 

was a reply from a friend a few provinces away,

as I thanked her for sending a card to my dad for his birthday!! 

Her words were the inspiration for today's poem!

Last evening another thoughtful friend dropped a card and gift

 off for me to deliver to my parents today! 

Hello, new day, filled with fresh opportunities to be kind!

How little time it takes to make life's shadows disappear

A friendly smile, a warm handshake, a hug, a word of cheer

A greeting card dropped in the mail, a call to mom or dad

These timeless measures never fail to make a day more glad

A three-word note, 'thinking of you', a flower bouquet gift

A hand to help somebody through when down-days need a lift

A prayer, a compliment, a text to say 'love you a lot'

A cruel criticism checked by a quick, second thought

A tasty treat, a cup of tea over a heart-to-heart

How lovelier this world would be if we all did our part

To look for excuses to give what we are able, then

To discover to truly live begins with love. Amen  

My dear, the way to change the world is no strange mystery

One kindness at a time, unfurled, is up to you and me

So then, considering the little time one kindness takes

Let's be part of the the miracle that every kindness makes

Janet Martin

Ps.36:7

How excellent is Thy lovingkindness, O God!

Therefore the children of men 

put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings.

The Unsearchable Riches of Christ

The first line in today's poem was one of my first waking thoughts,

as I pondered the day at hand and all of life's varying lots...

Ephesians chapter3, verses 8-13

 (click HERE for the whole glorious chapter of love's Mystery revealed)

To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, 

that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

 9 and to make all see what is the [b]fellowship of the mystery, 

which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden 

in God who created all things [c]through Jesus Christ;

 10 to the intent that now the [d]manifold wisdom of God

 might be made known by the church 

to the [e]principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 

11 according to the eternal purpose 

which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 

12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 

13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart...

Generally when we hear the word riches we

visualize Things; opulence, excess, worldly wealth, etc.

How much we miss if we never discover

the unsearchable riches of God's glory!

O the Riches of My Savior - Hymn 542

We cannot trade our lot in life with someone else's so

Whatever be its care and strife, by God's grace we all go

In ups and downs of gain and loss, where unknown's verges brim

He bids us to take up our cross and trust and follow Him

In Him we find more than enough; and only faith can claim

The unsearchable riches of the glory due His name

Of love transcending thought-bound sphere, of knowledge that exceeds

The crippling realms of doubt and fear, to satisfy faith's needs

This temporal and broken world is full of trouble's woe

The curse that the first sin incurred only grace overthrows

As faith believes and thus receives the gift of God to man

Then the Holy Spirit achieves what mortal never can

Sin is the precursor to death and evil's tragedies

To blame God with our gifted breath must be the worst of these

Upon the cross of Calvary His Son/Jesus was sacrificed

To save the likes of you and me through the shed blood of Christ

Therefore, no matter what our lot, we share what matter most

We, with our whole being ought to make the Lord our boast

For all glory belongs to He who overthrew the grave

Who makes known the great Mystery of love, mighty to save

From the beginning of the world, salvation's plan was wrought

As He, the universe unfurled He knew what was His lot

To make known to the likes of us, riches beyond our ken

A Mystery most glorious through Jesus Christ. Amen

Janet Martin

Eph.1:7

In Him we have redemption through His blood, 

the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

Ps.29:2

Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name;

Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

The Moment September Arrives...

Welcome, 

mist-kissed,

Dusky, musky,

yellow, mellow 

September!

pink mums and sedums blush...

September sweeps us off our feet the moment she arrives

Draping a gauzy golden sheet across dawn's countryside

Creation hails us to partake of  its silver-gilt cup

Devotion, bowed in farewell's wake is sweetly lifted up

For each September God bestows is like a fount that brims

With wonder that thunders and flows in freshly-composed hymns

...is like a vine bent with the fruit of labour, hope and prayer

Is like the climax of pursuit as harvest spills its fare

Is like a sketchbook, compliments of nature's Artist, oh

Behold the goldenrod braced fence, and purple-aster snow

Is like a treasure trove that spills with summer's fading sighs 

Earth trembles beneath cricket trills, hummingbirds, butterflies

Is like a child returned to class after a holiday

Is like an awesome hour-glass run rife with petal-fray

Is like a plot of holy ground where we take off our shoes

to feel the peal of dust resound with impending adieus

Is like sweet summer's last hurrah; pink mums and sedums blush

And we are thrilled, and filled with awe that no farewell can hush 

September sweeps us off our feet with first pumpkins and such

Where visions of autumn compete with summer's ling'ring touch

Where gardeners are overcome with humble happiness

And thankful joy for bounty from He who delights to bless

And remind us each season has its purpose, place and time

Always with perfect reason to rejoice with voice and rhyme 

Always with wonders we forget while 'Yet' is held at bay

While we are in the thick of letting summer have its way

While we are making the most of love's soon-a-memory

Where what never seems quite enough, always turns out to be 

While farewell draws tears to our eyes as August slips to Yore  

The moment September arrives, we are in love once more 

Janet Martin

Eccles.3:1

To everything there is a season, 

A time for every purpose under heaven:

Earth trembles beneath cricket trills...

 

Like Bidding Farewell to a Friend...

It had to be...

one final farewell poem to my friend, August

It is like bidding farewell to a friend

August's departure tugs at love's heartstrings

So we pay closer heed to simple things

Because summer is drawing to the end

And we cannot afford to miss its bliss

As August days fly upward like a spark 

As cricket-minstrels fill the early dark

With a prelude to summer's parting kiss 

As fruited vines and orchards steal the show

And we are torn between gladness and grief 

So we look longer at each flower and leaf

Sensing the imminence of letting go 

A slice of heaven slips beyond our reach

As August fades into the blue bygone

And we count countless blessings one by one

Buttery cobs of corn, and juicy peach

Fat tomatoes and rainbows, zinnia-hued 

And lawns, where shadows pooled and children played

And heart-shaped frames filled with memories made

And happiness, speechless with gratitude

I love your butterflies and honey bees

Aw, farewells always seem to come too soon

Especially for each August afternoon

That wafts away like bubbles on a breeze

'I love you August, till we meet again'

Time's bittersweet demise is bound to be

But is the thing that draws you back to me

So farewell, darling August until then  

Janet Martin

 

Our Dad...

Last night we celebrated dear Dad's 85th birthday!

Thank-you to so many who have sent him a birthday card!

Both mom and dad are enjoying them

 and being kindly blessed by each one!

(note: we are having a card shower for dad!)

After last night's cards are counted mom said she thinks 

they will have received 85 cards! Thank-you again!

One day dad brought in 14 envelopes from the mailbox 

and he remarked to mom 'that it's never been like this before!'

(Dad is in the middle stage of dementia;

some moments/days comprehension is clearer than others)

Our dad lived out a legacy of faith and hope and love

Our dad led by example knowing words are not enough

Our dad, a man of principle, truth and integrity

Makes us so glad he is our dad and we his family

Our dad allowed his footsteps to be ordered by the Lord

He fellowshipped with God in prayer, and taught us from His Word

He worked with zeal and energy until time took its toll

He raised a family of ten, tending body and soul 

Our dad is dearly, deeply loved; the older that we grow

We cherish ever more the love he seldom spoke, but showed

And thank the Lord more often for the values he instilled

By serving conscientiously each role that he fulfilled 

We are so thankful for you, dad, and for dear mother too

Once you worked hard to care for us, now we want to help you

And count it a great privilege and blessing to return

The love that teaches us we are never too old to learn 

God bless you mom and dad, and fill you with His joy and peace

Knowing, whatever lies ahead His mercies never cease

His grace sufficient for each day, whatever cares assail

He cares for us with love and promises that never fail

Love, your daughter

Janet

and the whole Martin clan

Ps.37:23-26

The steps of a good man are [d]ordered by the Lord,

And He delights in his way.

24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;

For the Lord upholds him with His hand.

25 I have been young, and now am old;

Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,

Nor his descendants begging bread.

26 He is [e]ever merciful, and lends;

And his descendants are blessed.