A Crucial Pilgrimage

We live in an age of unprecedented, instant information and distraction;

 a ready plethora of both good and evil primed to feed the mind!

The phrases 'We become what we behold' and 'We are what we think' 

thunders with undeniable evidence! 

We are what we eat physically as well as mentally!

As vitally important as it is to feed the body nourishing food

to maintain good health, so too, the mind!

Today is preserve-the-last-of-the-garden-harvest day! 

Doesn't it look so good?!!

It's all so nourishing and pure and delicious and

of absolutely no value unless/until I eat it!!

(Sometimes it's easy to tuck it in the freezer or fruit cellar, 

then, out of sight, out of mind,

 I reach for meals of convenience) 😕😶

The Way from here to There is fraught with much to learn and bear

A crucial pilgrimage where Thought prefaces rife returns

Where always a sumptuous buffet groans with unguarded fare

Preceding what we do and say, and consequence choice earns

The Way from here to Where the Soul will shed its cloak and shoes

(we all are faced toward this goal nobody can reject)

Runs through a room of tables heaped with much to taste and choose

Of snacks and meals and cuppa steeped with cause first, then effect

The Way from here to He who grants the onus of insight

Unfurls each morn with renewed chance for minds to eat and drink

Ah, pray we feast with careful heed, examining each bite

Whether it behooves word and deed; the fruit of what we think

The way from here to There runs rife with cesspools for the mind

Unless/until we eat the bread of life and drink from wisdom’s well;

A spring of Living Water, pure, peace-loving, gentle, kind

Rent from a Rock that will endure against the gates of hell

What crucial pilgrimage, the way of thought; how fraught its feasts

How influential the buffet laden with potent score

As thought, in its partaking fellowships with God or beasts

And with the mind is making the account we answer for 

Janet Martin

Phil.4:8

Finally, brothers,

 whatever is true,

 whatever is honorable, 

whatever is right, 

whatever is pure, 

whatever is lovely, 

whatever is admirable—

if anything is excellent

 or praiseworthy—

think on these things.

Think Well and Do Well (Psalm 26:3) - Charles Spurgeon Sermon

Some food for thought from the above message;

'If you doubt Christ's love for you,

you will not love Him, but remember

that He still loves you,

then, beleive it, hold on to it and

your love will revive'!

O, Fathomless Abyss

The fathomless heavens brim where mercy has not failed

as the beginning of a new day-week-month is unveiled!

Rom.11:33

Oh, the depth of the riches

 and wisdom and knowledge of God! 

How unsearchable are his judgments

 and how inscrutable his ways!

Job 11:7-9
Can you fathom the deep things of God 

or discover the limits of the Almighty? 

 They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? 

They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? 

Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

***

Today's inspiration is the gathering together of many threads;

one, this morning's devotion below.

another, from a train of tender thoughts after yesterday

when Jim and I took my parent's to visit another aging couple

whose bodies and minds are suffering time's toll;

and the beauty in their conversation of their hope and joy in 

better Things to come, when the Lord wills!

Another thread; the inexpressible mingling of joy and grief as we

thank God for our new pastor and still deeply mourn

the loss that brought him to us! 

Oh, fathomless abyss, unplumbed by mortal will

In a world with so much amiss, who can true hope fulfill?

The glove of circumstance, the trove where trouble teems

Are but a finite wink and glance on mercy’s boundless streams

Where God’s goodness and grace no thought can comprehend

Nor reason-wrought assumption trace a Path that hath no end

Oh, inscrutable depth of Threads by God’s hands held

Through His fingers the warp and weft of faith, hope and love meld

To weave a Confidence, though trials may increase

The mind stayed on Kind Providence God binds with perfect peace

Then, though no mortal knows what trial yet may come

The riches only God bestows no faith nor fear can plumb

Oh, fathomless abyss, no plot or scheme can quell

Oh, fulfillment of promises eternity will tell

Oh, matchless Name of He who is mighty to save

Who broke sin’s curse at Calvary and overthrew the grave

To anchor Hope where His Word and mysteries meld

Until faith’s fathomless abyss of riches is beheld

Fathomless verge unseen anchors the path we tread 

As breath by breath unfolds between what was and waits ahead

Where we are not alone to face faith's grueling tests

God makes his faithful Presence known as on His Word we rest 

When dread's dark clouds amass, what joy God's peace sustains

To know that nothing can surpass the depths that He ordains  

Janet Martin

God Moves in a Mysterious Way 

Lyrics

Author: William Cowper (1731–1800), written in 1773.

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

Where Nature's Color-Wheel Runs Wild...

Happy Last Day of October!

It looks like another beauty!

On quiet lanes, on rustling grass

Lie leaf-shaped panes, like golden glass...

While overhead the dwindling crown...

Of Autumn glory flutters down...

On quiet lanes, on rustling grass

Lie leaf-shaped panes, like golden glass

While overhead the dwindling crown

Of Autumn glory flutters down

To tease the tick-tock seasoned stare

With poetry no pen can snare

But still, The Bard will brave the yen

To frame a picture with a pen

The countryside runs rife with proof

No pow’r on earth can hold aloof

As nature’s color-wheel anoints

Each masterpiece that God appoints

Winter to spring to summer, then

Autumn’s leaf-luster-lit ‘amen’

As red and yellow, bold and soft

Swirl where farewell’s fleet waltzes waft

Hymns, harvest-humbled, brim and brood

With happiness of gratitude

Opulent fields grow still and bare

Gardens are culled of final fare

As earth and its fulness is gleaned

As leaf by leaf the air is weaned

Of sun and shadow dappled sighs

And dusk’s whispering lullabies

The afterglow of symphonies

Like russet snow on gusty breeze

Leaves ink-artists at loss for word

To curb an ocean undeterred

Where nature’s color-wheel runs wild

And wakes the wonder of a child

We would forget, but cannot quite

As we peer through autumn leaf-light

Janet Martin

Opulent fields grow still and bare...

Gardens are culled of final fare...

Where nature’s color-wheel runs wild

And wakes the wonder of a child

We would forget, but cannot quite

As we peer through autumn leaf-light

Fresh Opportunity (what music to our ears)

Ps.34:1-5

I will bless the Lord at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;

The humble shall hear of it and be glad.

Oh, magnify the Lord with me,

And let us exalt His name together.

I sought the Lord, and He heard me,

And delivered me from all my fears.

They looked to Him and were radiant,

And their faces were not ashamed.

(Read the rest of this glorious Psalm HERE)

Behold, the fealty that rends the eastward veil...

And overflows eternity with love that cannot fail...

Fresh opportunity, what music to our ears

In the Light of mercy renewed the darkness disappears

To kindle souls with hope, to praise the Name of He

Who overflows each morning with fresh opportunity

Fresh opportunity to press toward The Prize

To keep the faith that guards the heart from crafty compromise

To leave the past behind on Bygone’s topmost shelf

Then with purpose more kind, to love our neighbor as ourself

Fresh opportunity to find our rightful place

Not to judge one another but to serve with love and grace

And leave to God all that belongs to Him alone

Remembering the price He paid our sin-wage to atone

Fresh opportunity to wonder at God’s world

And count the ways that fill our gaze with majesty unfurled

And then with gladdened souls, let wonderment instill

A deeper, truer confidence to trust His perfect will

Fresh opportunity to forgive and release

The bitterness that robs our would-be happiness of peace

Then as we plead for more love and more yielded hearts

Almost the earth beneath us trembles with joy He imparts

Fresh opportunity to pause before we bound

Across the threshold of Today to trample holy ground

To take His Word to light the path of yet-to-be

To thank the Lord who grants today’s fresh opportunity

Behold, the fealty that rends the eastward veil

And overflows eternity with love that cannot fail

Ah, what more should we want than to unite hope’s voice

In worship to our God who grants fresh reason to rejoice

Our God will never fail mankind; mankind fails He

Whose great love lavishes us with faultless Intimacy 

And, though we oft forget to thank Him as we trod

Behold, fresh opportunity streams from the hand of God 

Fresh opportunity to plant for morrow-years

Fresh opportunity to cry 'speak Lord, Thy servant hears'

Fresh opportunity to give more than we take

Fresh opportunity to live and love For His Name's Sake

Amen 

Janet Martin

His Love Cannot Fail

No Disappointment in Heaven

So, Who'll Give Me A Dollar For the Hammer Dad Swung...

Dear Dad, his hammer-swinging days are done...

(but not the effects of them!)

Many a garden shed, stool, plant stand, clothes dryer, tables, chairs etc.

outlive the swing of his hammer and other tools! 

On Saturday we gathered at mom and dad's 

and held a family auction sale to rehome most of their belongings.

It was an incredibly bittersweet day! Perfect weather! 

and when the day was over the yard was bare of their belongings 

except the ones saved for their move into their granny flat,

(happening hopefully in the next month or so!)

A few months ago we rehomed and dissolved the last of Jim's mom's things;

a profound and tangible reminder of the fleetingness of things!

My mother of ten children

'watched/watches over the ways of her household,

and did/does not eat the bread of idleness...

so sale items were lovingly organized, 

clearly labeled, and impeccably clean; 

a reflection of the way she cared for her busy household throughout the years.

some of the dolls from our childhood...

Thankfully (hopefully) we do not derive our worth or happiness from our things,

though things (like mom's extensive library) brought to our book-loving family,

 much joy, pleasure, education and value to ordinary days, 

and mementos/decor added loving touches to home, sweet home.

When mom and dad moved from the farm, dad became busy in his woodshop,

and carpentry, so many tools and woodworking mementos etc. were sold as well!

The thoughts and feelings that ran through me as I watched strong, young, life-eager

 nieces and nephews (the grandchildren) when the sale was over,

 hoist furniture, tools, toys and housewares onto trailers and into vehicles

is hard to articulate...while we, mom and dad's children, 

wear the ever deepening proof of years weathered,

 where we are all caught in the circle of life!

So, 

who'll give me a dollar for the hammer dad/grandpa swung

repairing a roof or erecting a shed

And who'll give me five for puzzles, framed and hung

over a mantle or above a bed

and who'll give me twenty for the baby-buggy quilt

 hand-stitched by dear mother before ten of us

were lovingly 'shuggled' to the background 'lilt'

of life's constant clatter and chatter and fuss

and thus, with each household item auctioneered

A piece of once-upon-a-home, disappeared

 

in hoes, rakes and shovels, wheelbarrows, silk flowers

in table lamps, canning jars, crocks, pots and pans

farewell, mantle chime-clock that tolled quarter hours

and still will, through younger routines, dreams and plans

Farewell bureaus, blanket-chests, beds, desks and chairs

Turned into hellos by hale fellows of youth 

Hello, to the pretty little girlie that stares

into her 'new' olden mirror of truth   

farewell, yester-world, unfurled to heart-shaped nooks

 as dishes, dolls, teddies, toy tractors and books

...were happily bid on, to reclaim and re-own

to treasure and hand down through fresh history

Sun-bonnets and quilts, by great-great-grandma sewn

And who knows what the rest of their story will be 

As piece by piece, keepsakes of spent joy and strife

Will fill younger fingers of much-still-to-learn

The sequence of season, the circle of life

Forever a one way lease of no-return

where if the Lord wills, all too soon they may stand 

to gaze at The Thing in the auctioneer's hand 

...where stuff of love's laughter and tears do not show

where many a picture held in the mind's eye

Gleams bright in the light of a strange afterglow

Where glimmers and shimmers of echo-dust fly

as tea kettle, rocking horse, once-favourite toy

Is hoisted then handed to the highest bid

Igniting an ocean of sorrow and joy

That rushes the heart by a smiling face hid  

Ah, how is it that an old, white, china goose

can such a sheer torrent of longing unloose 

Well, well we would feel like The Preacher who cried 

'Vanity of vanities, all is vanity'

And so it would be, without Jesus who died

To give life Direction and strife, Destiny  

And purpose to moments that weave wisdom's crowns 

And cheer as we press to more than now appears

In effects collected through love's ups and downs

Then packed up, and sold by silver-tongued auctioneers 

As we thank the good Lord that the fullness life brings

Is not in the measure or treasure of Things

  

 Janet Martin 

Ah, how is it that an old, white, china goose

Can such a sheer torrent of longing unloose ...

Amos Raber - Cycle of Life 

CIRCLE OF LIFE (Lyrics) - ELTON JOHN

Eccles 1:1-3

The words of the Preacher,[a] the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

2 Vanity[b] of vanities, says the Preacher,

vanity of vanities! All is vanity.

3 What does man gain by all the toil

at which he toils under the sun?

Read the whole answer starting HERE

Then In The Light That Faith Beholds...

Before my feet hit the floor this morning,

I could hear my phone dinging with

messages as fresh 'creature cares' begin again!

Some cares are smaller than others,

But care fodder is prayer fodder!

We do not bear our cares alone!

(today's post is kind of a sequel to the previous post)

John 14: 1&27

“Let not your heart be troubled;

you believe in God, believe also in Me...

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you;

not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

(read the whole glorious chapter HERE)

Sometimes from our earthly vantage-points it truly could feel

like God fails us, thus it is by faith, not explanation

that we believe in Him and pray

for more Christ-like humility; Phil.2:6-8

Because Christ 'Who, being in very nature[a] God,

did not consider equality with

God something to be used to his own advantage;

7 rather, he made himself nothing

by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

by becoming obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

A new day dawns, replete with this world's constant creature cares

But He who grants life's daily lease hears and attends our prayers

And keeps His promises in spite of what appears to be

We do not shoulder this world's cares alone or hopelessly

...if we believe in God we know He works for good, not bad 

Then this new day the Lord has made grants reason to be glad

Whatever prayer may seem unheard, whatever griefs befall

He who cares for the little bird cares for us, one and all

Our Father in Heaven is a God who cares; He hears

Our prayers, and works his perfect will in spite of what appears

Contrary to what seemeth good; God is in full control

His rod reproves; His staff rescues and restores the careworn soul 

Sorrow is the price tag of love; a hub of prayers and tears

A midnight call until we cry 'speak Lord, Thy servant hears'

A gate to sacred gardens where we pour our groaning pleas

Where God still sends His angels to secret Gethsemanes

The cares that vex this body that is destined to decay

Kindles a kind of offering that rises as we pray

And somewhere beyond Time, replete with sin's accursed woes 

 In golden bowls of incense prayer-aroma overflows

Lord, let life's darkest hour draw our hearts to Calvary

To gaze upon what looked like triumph of humanity

Rather than sin's curse broken and death's power overthrown 

Then in the light that faith beholds lead us through each unknown 

Janet Martin

What a Day That Will Be 

Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled" - Carroll Roberson

This Is Not a Carefree Life

No matter what season of life we are in

this is not a carefree life!

I feel for my grandchildren, as they begin facing fears because

life has already shown them how uncertain and trouble-filled this world is...

(But oh, what tender soil the seeds of faith have opportunity to begin rooting in)

Next door little children laugh and play, but they are not care free;

 they wail at loving, parental 'no's' and weep when they stumble and skin hands and knees...

'Have a good day!' I said to Victoria (our youngest daughter in her mid-twenties)

 as she headed out this morning

 and she replied 'I have a mid-term today'. 🙏🙏🙏

(She is studying to be a high school history (or English) teacher)

I have mothered small children. That life is not carefree. 

Balancing babies and budgets, duties and dreams...

I am 'mothering' adult children now and none of our lives are carefree

 because each season has its own unique joys and challenges,

desires and disappointments...

I am watching my parents in old age, the sweet strength of younger years gone

 as they weather the cares of failing bodies and/or minds

whilst caring for each other...

This is no carefree life; each day troubles abound

And cause for prayer-pauses run rife, for joy is sorrow-crowned

From childhood to old age, from morn to night to morn

We never reach a carefree stage of Enough Trouble Borne

…or graduate as last to a class, hardship-free

For this old world is struggle-cast; trouble a guarantee

Sooner or later we, with less starry-eyed stares

Waken to the reality; each season has its cares

From skinned knees to skinned dreams, from hope to hope we wend

Like steppingstones arranged in streams of trouble mercy without end

For hark! What is that sound above our flound’ring plea

God’s goodness and mercy abound; He beckons ‘come to Me’

…and ‘cast your care on Me, for you are not alone

But, without trouble you would be too selfish on your own

Forgetful of My love and what yet waits to be

After the soul slips from the glove of brief mortality

So, because I love you this life is not carefree

But oh, after this life is through, eternity will be

So trust me and obey, with each trouble unfurled

I will not fail to lead the way to Heaven’s carefree world

For all the hurts you bear, I bore the more, for thee

So, keep the faith, do not despair though life is not carefree

Look upon Calvary, then, through joy-renewed tears

Take up your cross and follow Me till trouble disappears

Janet Martin

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.

 In this world you will have trouble. 

But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

1 Pet.5:6-7

Humble yourselves therefore under God's mighty hand

that he may lift you up in due time.

Cast all your anxiety/care on Him

because He cares for you.

Matt.11:28-30

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened

and i will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from me,

for I am gentle and humlbe in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

The Inner Room of Fellowship (With Thee)

Mark 1:35

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark,

Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place,

where he prayed.

Luke 5:15

Yet He (Jesus) frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray.

Mark 6:46

After bidding them farewell, He went up on the mountain to pray.

Matthew 14:23

After He had dismissed them, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.

Matthew 6:6

But when you pray, go into your inner room,

shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen.

And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Luke 6:12

In those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray,

and He spent the night in prayer to God.

Matthew 26:36

Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane,

and He told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”

Our lives are charged with much to do

Duty's task-master, keen

and relentless but ill-equipped

to satisfy our need 

Before I haste to heed the call of Duty, this new day

Lord, bid me heed the need to fall upon my knees and pray...

However great or small the charge of today's call may seem

'ere we endeavor to embark, where renewed mercies stream

From founts of grace to thread time's loom with Steadfast Sovereignty 

Lord, lead us to the Inner Room of Fellowship with Thee

Wherever in the world we wake and rise to meet the day 

Before duty and demand take the lead, as oft they may

Pray we, while it is early, find a solitary place

To reestablish heart and mind in Thy goodness and grace

Forbid, for every kindness shown we live with praise forgot

Or step into life's fray alone to face we know not what 

 Lord, lest we grievously neglect Thy holy company

Help us to seek, with awed respect, sweet fellowship with Thee

Too busy or too idle, Lord, oh may it never be

That by Thy fellowship ignored I lose my love for Thee

And sacrifice the treasure of riches, through prayer outpoured

Of hope, joy, peace, wisdom and love, and faith's courage restored 

Before I haste to heed the call of Duty, this new day

Lord, bid me heed the need to fall upon my knees and pray

Lest by my boldness I assume my will better than Thine 

And hurry past the Inner Room of Fellowship Divine  

Janet Martin

Did You Think to Pray...

Sweet Hour of Prayer with Lyrics by Alan Jackson

CeCe Winans - What A Friend We Have In Jesus (Official Lyric Video)

Amos Raber - I Just Steal Away and Pray (Official Music Video)