Earth's Exhibition of Glimpses...

Hate, war, sickness, sorrow,

greed, pain, apathy,

hearts hardened against God,

could destroy all hope of  present joy

but for the hope of the home of the soul

and the greatness of He within we who believe

so much greater than he that is in the world!

We cherish each gift of present joy

(like a foreshadowing of eternal joy)

 to balance love's ever-present sorrow)

My daughter just sent me the above photo of big brother's

good morning kisses to baby brother.

(and I weep as I pray for the families afflicted by war)

Earth's beauty (be it babies, birds or blooms)

 without Heaven's hope is futile.

Birds continue to delight...today,

a very rare and special visitor, a bluebird/indigo bunting? 

...and goldfinch

...and our resident downy or hairy woodpecker (absent for a while)

we are still thrilling to see the orioles

(sometimes our place seems to just be a pitstop on their way)

and a mediocre shot of a rose-breasted grosbeak

who eats his supper each evening around the same time we do

Chipping sparrow...

Song Sparrow...

mourning doves...

We rejoice to receive a much-needed rain!

The beauty of the earth exhibits Heaven’s Majesty

The work and word of God is man’s Supreme Authority

Nothing exists but what His favor fashions and allows

Surely at the sheer thought of this our haughty boasting bows

…Faith looks toward a rich reward beyond kingdoms of dust

Bestowed by He who shed His crown and gave His life for us

And wove Redemption’s royal robes with love’s bloodstreams outpoured

Not from goats, rams and bullocks but from Jesus Christ our Lord

There is no common cure for hearts hardened against God’s grace

Against the loving kindness of Jesus who took our place

Though sinless, to become sin’s sacrifice once and for all

The King of kings shed His own blood; no common animal

Sweet consolation for life’s tribulation, who could find

Without the goodness of God who is faithful, just and kind

Without hearts softened as belief begets wonder and joy

Without His promises that no enemy can destroy

Each desperate heart-cry would be too much to bear, but for

Faith’s hope, after salvation opens eyes to so much more

Where earth’s beauty exhibits but a small glimpse of the whole

As we press on until we see the Saviour of the soul

...until we behold He who held us through the storm and strife

Until once and forevermore we pass through death to life

Until The One to whom we pray and pray and pray and pray

Unveils His face, where, by His grace, all tears are wiped away 

© Janet Martin

Heb.4:11-13

Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, 

so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience. 

12For the word of God is living and active.

 Sharper than any double-edged sword,

 it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. 

It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 

13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; 

everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him 

to whom we must give account.…

Savior Redeemer of My Soul - 

Dallyn Bayles, Jenny Oaks Baker & Lyceum Philharmonic, #Hallelujah

O, Why Not Tonight