The Greatest Wonder of the World

The longer we live

the surer we see

Truth never lies.

Psalm 40:4
Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, 

who has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.

John 17:17

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

Isa.55:1

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; 

And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. 

Yes, come, buy wine and milk 

Without money and without price.

Come As You Are

A fountain springs eternal and tis not the fount of youth

It is the undefeated, un-depleted Fount of Truth

The truth that love will never fail and God is always good

And He is patient as we learn to love the way we should

The truth is, as long as we live there is something to learn

Each new day is a one-time gift, to which none can return

Who we love most we serve; action needs no words to explain

The tree grows stronger as it weathers the wind and the rain

The eyes and ears of children are quick, curious and keen

Absorbing what they see and hear with hearts tender and green

With mind astute, soon the first fruit of influence will tell

Pray, we weigh what we do and say and teach our children well

For the Truth IS; it cannot change to please vain folly's whim

We will reap what we sow; and every knee will bow to Him

God is not mocked; His glory is declared by heaven's throng

Where none can interrupt or mar their firmamental song

Truth is the bedrock of sound teaching and integrity

Its jurisdiction as far-reaching as eternity

It does not shift or alter in a world, compromise-bent

Its verdict does not falter in the face of argument

The truth speaks without words; wisdom’s immutable defense

It galvanizes courage; girds our words with confidence

It gleams, untarnished by the lies that lord but cannot faze

The Fount that pours from God, all-wise, to fill our souls with praise

His Word is truth; a Fount sourced from I AM, ageless and First

He beckons everybody come and satisfy their thirst

For knowledge from a Source unfurled for both the aged and youth

The Greatest Wonder of the world; it is the Fount of Truth

Janet Martin

Jude 25

To the only wise God our Saviour, 

be glory and majesty,

 dominion and power,

 both now and ever.

Amen.

Psalm 1

1Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the [a]ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he [b]meditates day and night.

3He shall be like a tree

Planted by the [c]rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper.

4The ungodly are not so,

But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,

But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing (lyrics & chord) Chris Rice

Call of Beauty

In answering love's call of 'duty'

we are given opportunity to

to turn it into a call of beauty!

Serving one another in love;

is there anything on earth more beautiful than this?!

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, 

I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, 

and understand all mysteries and all knowledge,

 and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains,

 but have not love, I am nothing.

 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor,

 and though I give my body [a]to be burned, 

but have not love, it profits me nothing.

 1 Cor.13:1-3

Jesus came, not to be served, but to serve

and give his life as a ransom for many! (Matt.20:28)

We have a perfect example of love from Him.

What a privilege, each new day

to heed life's call of Beauty!

Eccles.12:13

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God, and keep his commandments:

for this is the whole duty of man.

John 13:34-35

A new commandment I give you: Love one another. 

As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. 

35By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, 

if you love one another.”

Today's call of beauty will be spring cleaning with my sisters

at our mom and dad's house 💕🙏

I'm on for bringing the salad for lunch 😋

Each new day bears upon its pier of grace and love and light

Fresh opportunity to cheer each other on life's way

To be the hands and feet of He who taught us what is right

And bids the likes of you and me to trust Him and obey 

Each new day spreads a welkin wing of Refuge overhead

And ushers to love's suffering, God's kind mercy renewed

The riches of His promises will minister to dread

Arousing hymns of happiness in hearts of gratitude 

Each new day sweet and kindly grants Duty's/Beauty's replenished call

A shiny, like-a-new-bike-chance to try and try again

To serve God in all that we do, however great or small

To labour with love, meek and true and glad honour. Amen 

Each new day, like a trumpet hails; pray, how will we reply

To God, whose favor never fails as faith its need confides

Whose might equips us for the task; tis up to you and I 

To look to Him and humbly ask; He faithfully provides

Love's call of beauty sometimes appears common and mundane

Because it looks like duty lacking luster or appeal

But love turns duty's plain disguise to living's greatest gain

Transforming what would otherwise depend on how we feel 

Janet Martin

Seems we go from dusk to dawn in a wink....

As We, Want's Cases Plead

Lord, where we err

 in our thinking, 

teaching, serving, 

seeking, worshipping, 

reveal it unto us!

Lord, wherever

 and in whatever circumstance

 we find ourselves today, 

you care for us!

Lord, a deeper fear 

and thus love for thee, 

work in us

Thou, Holiest of holies 

and Best of the best

***

Romans 8:17
And if we are children, then we are heirs: 

heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—

if indeed we suffer with Him, 

so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Philippians 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ 

not only to believe in Him,

 but also to suffer for Him,

James 1:2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, 

when you encounter trials of many kinds, 

because you know that the testing of your faith

 develops perseverance.

Acts 5:41

So they departed from the presence of the council, 

rejoicing that they were counted worthy

 to suffer shame for His name.

A bud is but the waiting room

of the unfolded Flower...

A prayer is like a bud; it's bloom 

awaits its perfect hour

Last week my neighbor-tots eagerly bent over buds

While I reminded them; 'no picking!'

Yesterday they 'visited' me while I was working.

suddenly shrieks of delight were heard!

The buds had turned into flowers!

Oft we want answered prayer

Without full-yielded hearts

In our logic, oft we err

Where trust its test imparts

Oft we want finest fruits

Without Love's pruning rod

 To tear away at sinful roots/shoots

That choke the Word of God 

Oft we defend the cure

Without probing the cause

Until motive is wholly pure

Without self-serving flaws/clause

Oft we want faith's reward

Without faith's suffering

As witnesses for Christ, out-poured

Like a drink-offering 

Lord, show us where we err

As we, Want's cases plead

Teach us to trust as you prepare

Faith's fallow ground, for seed  

Janet Martin

Philippians 2:17
But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering

 on the sacrifice and service of your faith, 

I am glad and rejoice with all of you.

I Thank Thee, Lord, For Home, Sweet Home

Happy Victoria Day, Canada!

In Ontario it is finally warm and both people and nature 

Are 'leaping' with joy...

Recently I've been contemplating the beautiful blessings of Home

 since my friends moved to their first purchased home

 a week ago in another province(eager to put down roots on unrented soil)!

When I messaged her last Monday, in their travels to see how they were faring

she said all was going fine but they were very travel-weary,

and as I tried to cheer her on by reminding her every mile behind them

is a mile closer to home-sweet-home, I was struck with a picture,

of all who are travel-weary; how every mile behind us

 is a mile closer to Home/Heaven/Him!

John 14:1-4

“Let not your heart be troubled;

you believe in God, believe also in Me.

2In My Father’s house are many [a]mansions;

if it were not so, [b]I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

3And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again and receive you to Myself;

that where I am, there you may be also.

4And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going,

and how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through Me.

***

It's Victoria Day weekend in Canada, a weekend where many of us

enjoying working around our homes and getting them summer-ready after winter!

A weekend of thankfulness and contentment as tulips pop...

...and birds in a rainbow of colour drop by!

Makes me want to put this song on constant replay...

Charley Pride & Dolly Parton God's Coloring Book

***

I thank Thee, Lord, for home, sweet home

A shelter from the gale

A port to which we gladly come

And from which dreamers sail

A hearth that kindles in our hearts

A hymn of joy profound

For favors only home imparts

Where loved ones gather round

Where pleasures are simple and sweet

Whatever they may be

Where earth and glimpse-of-Heaven meet

As we remember Thee  

Where daily toil and nightly rest

Unfold beneath its dome

Where moms and dads feel humbly blessed

For the place/grace we call Home 

Where childhood memories are made

As carefree years cartwheel

Through rooms where 'flowers' flare and fade

To frames, strangely surreal 

Where joy and grief mingle, where cares

Teach us to trust and pray

As the bud of Becoming bares

The bloom of day-to-day

Where we are ever Homeward bound

From the first breath we draw

Lord, until we are safe and sound

With Thee, fill us with awe

...as here and there, a missing face

An empty chair or three

Begins to endear more, the Place

Of home, sweet home with Thee

...but till then, may we by Thy Love

 Make home and family

 A precious, peaceful foretaste of

The Home that waits to be

I thank Thee, Lord, for home, sweet home

When life on earth is through

 The port to which each soul will  come

Who puts their trust in you

Janet Martin 

Some 'Forever-Home' Hymns...

Where the Soul Never Dies...

This World Is Not My Home (Lyrics)

O Think of the Home Over There - acapella hymn with lyrics

In the Sweet By and By-Redeemed Quartet 

 

In the Quietude of Awe...

Just as the body needs nourishment to thrive...

so too, the soul!

Ps.34:8

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;

Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Matt. 5:6

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

For they shall be filled.

Ps.31:19

How great is Your goodness,

Which You have stored up for those who fear You,

Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You,

Before the sons of men!

Psalm 119:103

How sweet are Your words to my taste—

sweeter than honey in my mouth!

Jeremiah 15:16

Your words were found, and I ate them.

Your words became my joy and my heart’s delight.

For I bear Your name, O LORD God of Hosts.

Ps.46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”

Isaiah 30:15

For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said:

 “By repentance and rest you would be saved; 

your strength would lie in quiet confidence—

but you were not willing.”

***

We have within, a sacred rill from which our spirits draw

But it runs dry lest we are still for God to will and do

His good pleasure of restoring our souls to holy awe

So we can face life's roaring tolls, refreshed by heaven's dew

Be still where living bread is found and living water flows  

Take off your shoes where holy ground of earth and heaven meet 

Like Elijah, drink from the brook the Word of God bestows

In life's wildernesses, ah look! Here manna, honeysweet 

What profit this; to gain the world at the cost of the soul 

To haste and miss the Fount unfurled, where healing tides are spilled 

To discover the pure delight of faith cheered and made whole

As we hunger and thirst for righteousness, then and there filled 

Be still and know that He is God; then let His love renew

Our strength so we can run and not weary; walk and not faint

For unless we are still, how can God fill the rill with Dew

That nourishes the soul of man and empowers the saint 

On storm-tossed sweeps, dew cannot fall, but oh, when we are still

So still, we do not even call on Him with creature-cry

Then, in the quietude of awe showers of grace refill

The rill within, so we can draw and not find it run dry 

Janet Martin

Be Still, My Soul-Libera Boy's Choir

Thank-you Lord (For Those We Still Have)

Somehow in the course of conversation last week,

with my now 4 year old grandson something made him say, 

'but Gramma, you're not going to die!"

and I told him 'no, not until God says,  all the days I made for you

are done! then I will die.'

'ohhh, he replied, 'just like Lucy!' (My sister)

His comment caught me so off-guard I got choked up

as I said 'yes, just like Lucy. I still miss her so much.'

'Oh well, at least you still have Marlene!'

Grandson reminded me, and I smiled though my tears.

'Yes, and Carolyn and Cheryl!' (my other sisters) 

Out of the mouth of babes...

Aren't you thankful for all those

'we still have' as we mourn together and comfort each other;

Family, church family, neighbours and friends. 

(but, all this to say, no one ever takes the place fully

 of the loved one we dearly miss!

and no earthly comforter can quite take the place of  our Heavenly One)

Ps.147:3

He heals the brokenhearted
    and binds up their wounds.

Matt.5:4

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

~Jesus

With Thy Holy Spirit, Lord

With the power of Thy Word

With the Armour of Thy sword

Comfort us, we pray

Through the fellowship of prayer

Through each others griefs we bear

Through dark valleys of despair

Comfort us today

Cheering sorrow with sweet peace 

With the joy of hope's increase

Till all shadows of death cease

In Thy Presence where

No more death will enter in

No more consequence of sin

No more tears or pain. amen

In Thy Presence there 

Let not sorrow paralyze

Faith from pressing to the Prize

To the home of no goodbyes

With Thee evermore

Guard the place where Longing smarts

Touch and heal our broken hearts

With comfort Thy love imparts

Till this life is o'er

Thank-you for those 'we still have'

Fellow-friends to help us brave

Life's sojourn-ey through the grave

To Thee, face to face

Thank-you for our hope in Thee

Throughout all eternity

Till love, without grief will be

Sorrow's resting place 

Janet Martin

1 Cor.15:19

If only for this life we have hope in Christ, 

we are of all people most to be pitied. 

2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,

 but on what is unseen. 

For what is seen is temporary,

 but what is unseen is eternal.

Of Seeming and Certain

First an update on the prayer requests HERE

Dad is being released from the hospital today!

and the family that moved to their new home

 made it safely to their destination yesterday evening!

Thank-you for your prayers!

Yesterday our youngest grandson turned four!

A little over a month ago our granddaughter turned 7!

in Jan. our oldest grandson turned 9!! Wh-a-at?!

Our children/grandchildren cannot begin to grasp how much they are loved;

by God, their parents and grandparents!

Just as we, all God's children cannot grasp how much we are loved by Him!

As my utmost prayer for my children continues, that they would choose God; 

to love, trust and obey Him, to treasure His Word and his people,

so too is my prayer for my grandchildren! 

I pray that in the twists and turns of life's pathway, 

in the fumbles and stumbles of learning, 

in the crushing blows that fell pride 

and in the disappointment of Things,

they discover over and over again, 

just like (hopefully) us oldies, Rom.11:33

'the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!'

3 John 4

 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children (and grandchildren)

are walking in the truth.

We need not fear; God sends the test, our allegiance to try

His is the hand that tips the nest and teaches faith to fly

His seeming cruelty is love; He takes to give again

His purpose works in us to prove His faithfulness. Amen

We need not doubt the baffling blade that breaks desolate land

When disappointment's shares invade, behold, there is God's Hand

He ploughs to plant an Eden-clime in plots of pain and grief  

To loosen grips on Things of Time that are, at best but brief 

We need not dread the Hand that tries the ties of mortal whim 

To see if perchance we may prize this old world more than Him

God's seeming cruelty is love; His higher thoughts and ways

If we believe, will prove enough to burst our hearts with praise 

We need not know the holy why of Time-framed seeming loss

The cocoon veils a butterfly! before the crown, the cross! 

Before the flower garden, oh, the breaking of the sod

The surrender of letting go, to know that He is God

To lean on Him in grateful prayer, to worship truthfully 

*Praise rends the chains of dark despair and sets our spirits free

To trust in God, heart, soul and mind, when we don't understand

He tips the nest so that we find the cradle of His Hand

God's seeming cruelty is love; look at the cross and see

Beyond the 'seeming hour of defeat', the victory 

Beyond the fallen tear, bowed head, when death the champion seems

Behold, where once the seed seemed dead, a glorious harvest gleams

Janet Martin

Oh, how painful God's ploughshares in our 'hard acres of the heart'!

Oh, how worth the harvest to let Him sow His seeds! 

But oh, how lifelong is our learning to let go;

and how lifelong is our wonder/worship when we do! 

To Mothers...(and Fathers and Sons and Daughters...)

Written for my mom for Mother's Day/Days!

(she is modeling such kind, patient and loving care to our dad

as he suffers some health challenges. She is teaching

her aging family what marriage vows look like faithful to the end,

with humility and gentleness, by the grace of God)

Thank-you for your continued prayers.

I've shared this song many times over the years

because I love it and it often ministers to my soul!

Keep your Eyes on Jesus - Louvin Brothers

When life's outlook could overwhelm

Love, and distract us from its Source

Remember who stands at Hope's helm;

The up-look keeps our bark on course

When duty's kind demands amass

Till the outlook our joy could dim

Think on the love none can surpass;

The up-look keeps our gaze on Him

When the outlook feels fraught with care

As tolls on hands and hearts increase

Remember He who hears our prayer

The up-look keeps our perfect peace

Janet Martin

Isa.26:3

You will keep him in perfect peace, 

Whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You

Matt.14:27

But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying,

 Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.