Twixt Stones and Stars...

It is Palm Sunday Weekend!

Last evening the bow that God first placed in the heavens after the flood

felt like a tangible reminder of I AM with us!

We touch the heavens with our eyes

Tangle with frames of paradise

And lest the stones cry out, we praise

The God of love’s mysterious ways

The tears that weep from yonder skies

Fill pockets deep inside our eyes

Where grief and joy its fountains probe

And drench the hemline of Hope’s robe

...while stars and stones spar deep within

The soul’s scarred carriage of frail skin

We fear, we pray, we mourn, we laugh

And cling to Mercy’s rod and staff

...with hope that will not lead to shame

Fixed on Love’s everlasting name

We praise when we are vaunt to doubt,

Lest God forbid, the stones cry out

That mustard seed of faith we crave

Will be enough to help us brave

This interlude twixt stones and stars

Till deathless soul breaks through yon bars

© Janet Martin

Praise Him with joy's salutation

Praise Him with fear

Praise the Author of salvation

With a tear

Praise Him from the highest mountain

from the deep vale

For Love's Goodness everlasting

will not fail 

Praise Him with anthems of gladness

Praise Him with groan

Praise Him with prayers borne of sadness

We are not alone

 © Janet Martin

  

The Triumphal Entry
(Zechariah 9:9-13; Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; John 12:12-19)

28After Jesus had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

29As He approached Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, He sent out two of His disciples, 30saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

32So those who were sent went out and found it just as Jesus had told them. 33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked, “Why are you untying the colt?”

34“The Lord needs it,” they answered. 35Then they led the colt to Jesus, threw their cloaks over it, and put Jesus on it.

36As He rode along, the people spread their cloaks on the road. 37And as He approached the descent from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of disciples began to praise God joyfully in a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen:

38“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!”c

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”d

39But some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!”

40“I tell you,” He answered, “if they remain silent, the very stones will cry out.”

Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem
(Isaiah 29:1-16)

41As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it 42and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. 43For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. 44They will level you to the ground—you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.e ”