To Dear November, a Fond Farewell

Another blip aka November slips through our fingers...

fading into a wild flurry of white tonight...

To purple shadows planted on dusk’s barren, burnished path

To sudden snow globe afternoons rekindling Christmas thrill

To fall and winter’s duels in the muted aftermath

Of leaf song winnowed from woodlands now dark and stark and still

To gleaming furrows turned and tucked like umber counterpanes

To harvest-hymn hiatus and to skies that steal the show

To echo-tangos tugging at heartstrings taut/fraught with refrains

Of love, laughter and longing’s ever learning to let go

To winds that wander through a world of golden tapers snuffed

To squash and pumpkin lanterns gleaned and baked and steamed and fried

To brooding tableaus transformed by a big white duvet, fluffed

Until it spills soft feathers over town and countryside

To joy, because of juncos, to the blue jays’ raucous cries

To winter’s feathered friends returned like long lost family

To reveling in the raw agony of time’s demise

To making the most of what all too soon is history

To dear November’s dying embers on a dimming grate

To nature’s somber sweetness after autumn’s robe is rent

I pen this poem as I linger at a phantom gate

To bid a fond farewell and wonder where, oh, where you went

(Ah yes, to hugs and kisses, too many to count, I know

To happiness because it was enough to be alive

To thankfulness to God from whom each season’s blessings flow

Through outstretched touch and taste and such, into Bygone’s archive)

© Janet Martin

And some precious last-day-of-November memories...

...and the world that had returned to green, gray and brown 

after Old Man Winter's mid November bumble, 

when he tumbled out of bed too soon,

will be a white winter wonderland come December!

Good-night and see you in December💖🙏

Priceless Exceeding Abundance

So many needs weighed on my heart this morning as I thought of so many who are troubled,

so many suffering in war torn countries around the world, 

so many suffering close to home due to sickness, injuries in accidents 

and hardships due to broken relationships, hardships caused by inflation 

the fragility of the so-called freedom and peace in countries whose leaders

have turned away from God, and the list goes on...

But it is not a hopeless case. 

Quite the opposite. 

We pray to One who is able to do 

'exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, 

according to the power that works in us. 

Unto Him be glory in the church by Jesus throughout all ages, 

world without end, 

amen. 

Eph.3:20-21

Above All-Michael W. Smith

The Lord appoints our place

His love anoints our cares

And by the riches of His grace

God’s mercy hears our prayers

His measure of reply

Exceeds abundantly

The want and wish of you and I

On meek and bended knee

Though trial rends faith's glove

May faith, faith’s test transcend

Grounded and rooted in the love

Thought cannot comprehend

With lowliness of heart

(His Spirit’s dwelling place)

May we endeavor to impart

The riches of God’s grace

…so that we may be filled

With the fulness of He

Who helps us, through what He has willed

To proclaim His glory

© Janet Martin

“For Thine is the kingdom, 

and the power, 

and the glory,

forever. 

Amen” 

(KJV—Matt. 6:9-13)

Thankfulness in Action

These tots are giving their pets breakfast!

God bless everyone who gives today on what has been dubbed Giving Tuesday!

God bless everyone who gives, no matter what day it is!

Many organizations have committed to doubling the amount of each gift/donation today,

but, as we pray for each need we give toward

 we know in God's hands the increase of the gift

is incomprehensible!!

For more scripture and thoughts on giving see Friday's post! Good, Better, Best

Matt.25:34-40

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Thankfulness is not uttered by the voice of noisy word

But by language of loving kindness, it is seen and heard

Love’s proof unfurls a banner by the speech of how we live

By who we try to honor as we humbly help and give

How holy is the quickened toll that draws souls back to He

Who is still in perfect control with all authority

In spite of what may seem to be a war twixt need and greed

Between excess and poverty, laxness and earnest heed

We who profess to love God are His earthly feet and hands

Kindness is a love-language that no one misunderstands

Love, above and beyond the call of duty’s sorry rod

Delights in the excitement of giving glory to God

© Janet Martin

Happy Daily Delighting!!

2 Cor.9:6-9

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, 

and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 

7Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, 

not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.a 

8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, 

so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, 

you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written:

“He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor;

His righteousness endures forever.”b

Hope, No Greater Joy Endearing...Celebrating Hope on the first week of Advent

Is there anything better to celebrate than hope?!!

So it begins...the celebration of the Believer's hope!

The first two lines of this poem was written yesterday morning before church

the next 2 stanzas this morning before hosting a tea-for-two-friends party, then

I worked at it again before a dentist appointment,

finally finishing it while supper is cooking!

...and what is supper you ask?

Hamburger Stew!

This poem was

inspired by Ephesians 2 and 

Titus 2:11-14

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 

12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, 

and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—

the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 

14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness

 and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, 

eager to do what is good.

Hope Has a Name

Once we were aliens and strangers without hope and without God

But we who once were so far off have been brought near by the blood

Of Christ Jesus. Raised to newness, we who were dead in our sins

Unaware until he saved us, of the hope where life begins

Praise the precious name of Jesus. He, who died in our place

So that He might show us the exceeding riches of God’s grace

For His grace that brings salvation has appeared to one and all

Bringing to mankind redemption from the curse after The Fall

Gone, the veil of separation; He himself is our peace

There is now no condemnation to all who trust and believe

In the Promise that releases us from judgement’s damning rod

Through the precious blood of Jesus, He gives us access to God

Hope, what sacred consolation where the dread of death would reign

Where instead of peace and pardon a barrier would remain

Hope, no greater joy endearing the sweet nearing we applaud

While we wait for the appearing of the glory of our God

© Janet Martin

Reminder to Remember

Recently I heard this comment (quoted loosely);

The saddest life of all is giving our all 

to something that turns out in the end,

to be completely and utterly worthless/meaningless.

The author of the book of Ecclesiastes

 ponders the meaning of life, finds great wealth 

and tastes every heart's desire

only to come to this awesome conclusion 

after realizing everything in this world is ultimately vanity...

Eccles.12:13-14

Now all has been heard;
    here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
    for this is the duty of all mankind.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
    including every hidden thing,
    whether it is good or evil.

The beauty of the earth is a glimpse-of-Heaven backdrop

to the brutality of the battle of wills

between man and God/God and man

(This reminder to remember was written to myself

and anyone else who can relate to the battle of want

between what is temporal and what is eternal)

...also a bit of a continuance along the lines of thought

that inspired yesterday's poem

 

Sometimes the guise of lesser prizes we are yearning for

Can blind us to the binding gait of those who’ve gone before

The price we are willing to pay, sometimes not worth the cost

For something that will fade away in death, forever lost

Sometimes we grapple with apples of want’s eye, and we miss

The treasure that transcends the pleasure of This transient kiss

For time's measure of moments melts like snowflakes in the sun

While warp and weft of seasons weaves and unravels as one

Sometimes the diamond in our dreams is not as it appears

The pinnacle doffed of its gleam as its procurement nears

The glamor of achievement and the clamor of applause

A trophy of bereavement on ashes of futile cause

God, help us to remember you behold and know our need

Help us note and surrender gloating gods of pride and greed

Help us guard against pitfalls decked in visual appeal

And help us not to put our trust in what we think and feel

God, open our heart’s eyes as we seek and search Your Word

So, stepping-stones and stumbling blocks are not confused and blurred

Remind us, not one jot or tittle is hidden from You

And all will give account when this little lifetime is through

God, keep our eyes upon a prize beyond all mortal ken

For the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, amen

Help us put on Your whole armor, with humble, sacred breath

Lest we stray to a way that seems right, but its end is death

© Janet Martin

Proverbs 12:15

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.

Proverbs 16:25

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

Good, Better, Best

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly

 above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Eph.3:20

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Phil.2:13

This is the time of year when in boxes and mail boxes are FLOODED with pleas for donations

 leaving us wishing we could help them all! they are all worthy causes.

The Red Cross seeks to touch our hearts with a packet of tangible gifts,

right down to a personalized pen to sign and send; no excuses!!

Today's Devotion in the book Streams in the Desert

struck me with the realization that to give is more than

the licking of an envelope with 'gift enclosed'

more than a few clicks on a keyboard after hitting

'donate now' then forgetting as soon as we exit the page.

Rather, monetary aid hopefully is the small part in the

much larger labor of praying for the causes to which we give!

In my in box, just to name a few;

The Canadian Bible Society seeks to bring the

hope of the God's Word to those who do not have access to bibles.

Focus on the Family seeks to minister in various ways to strengthen families

in this troubled and confused age.

Our local churches seek to minister in our own communities...

and the list goes on!!

Praying we all pray for guidance to know where

to do our part with a generous heart!

To ‘do’ is a good start

To give is pleasing too

But to pray is the vital part

Of all we say and do

For as we pray toward

The hope to which we live

We will better honor the Lord

With what we do and give

To give is well and good

To ‘do’ our part is fair

But to live and love like we should

Begins and ends with prayer

The good of love's kind quest

Is better every day

As we are blessed with Mercy's best

Because we pray and pray

Then, what seems commonplace

Turns into worship where

Exceedingly abundant grace

Works God's pleasure through prayer 

© Janet Martin

We may not be able to help everyone but everyone can help someone,

hopefully beginning with prayer and seeking to honour God

in all we give and do!

Eph.6:18

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions 

with all kinds of prayers and requests. 

With this in mind, be alert 

and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times 

and not lose heart:

Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, 

but in everything, by prayer and petition, 

with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Thanks-living Lyric

Happy Thanksgiving to our American neighbors and friends!

For heavens that declare God’s glory age to age to age...

For children in the sweet, fleet sacredness of innocence...

For front porch lights 

and blazing hearths 

and fresh-steeped cups of tea...

For heavens that declare God’s glory age to age to age

Masterpiece after masterpiece ignites awe’s flawless wage

For nature’s law unruffled by the changes progress brings

Beauty’s bounteous coffers charged with Eden’s glimmerings

For children in the sweet, fleet sacredness of innocence

Before the tug twixt right and wrong begins its arguments

For home’s most cherished havens and the love of family

For front porch lights and blazing hearths and fresh-steeped cups of tea

For worth earth cannot grant, but He whose breath of life we breathe

For mirth to plant its laughter where our spirits often grieve

For hope to help us cope with ‘nope’ when we had prayed for ‘yes’

For ups and downs that humble and meeken our happiness

For all the ways we could have erred, but by God’s grace, did not

For mercy’s goodness undeterred though He is oft forgot

For God’s unfailing promises for better or for worse

For dawn, unveiling Today like a gift from heaven’s purse

For faces not yet kissed and wonder not yet tasted, oh

For sadness of farewells hinged to the gladness of hello

For doors waiting to fling ajar on shores beyond our reach

For knowing that right where we are has lessons left to teach

For friendships and for favors, free of charge and fit for kings

Like the trill of a songbird or the thrill new baby brings

For night’s rest from our labours and for neighbors, sweet and kind

For duty’s wealth to guard against snares of an idle mind

For farm fresh eggs and other fine culinary delights

For simple fare to satisfy heartiest appetites

For fresh-ground, fresh-brewed coffee, for the cup of life that brims

With still untasted melodies of still unfolding hymns

For seasons that we sail through, like the twinkle or a chime

Stunning new generations with the olden ways of time

For challenges that teach us to trust more and worry less

For flowerpots on windowsills and tot-anointed mess

For dreams that keep us on our toes/knees and drive impatience wild

For moms and dads committed to the welfare of the child

For unexpected moments that bestow a breathless ache

With bliss we miss when hurry’s flurry sets the pace we take

For faith to face the new year with our faces all aglow

Like children as they dash to play in fresh untrodden snow

For jar shelves laden with collections gleaned from garden fare

For cozy nooks and books when the weather growls like a bear

For flowers, and for bowers bright with fall foliage, for spring

After winter relinquishes its grip on earth’s awning

For treasuring the timelessness of life’s most simple joys

Shared with the cheerful company of little girls and boys

For poetry still wafting in whispers still unsubdued

For more than we can tally when it comes to gratitude

For love's lingering essence like a fragrant curlicue

After the flame is snuffed that flickered with life's me-and-you  

And, (last but never least), for salvation’s security

To make our joy complete despite what was, is and will be

© Janet Martin

For treasuring the timelessness of life’s most simple joys

Shared with the cheerful company of little girls and boys...

For love's lingering essence like a fragrant curlicue

After the flame is snuffed that flickered with life's me-and-you  

Forever Young

 

This cage of wants and hopes and dreams will age, as wear and tear

Will take its toll where aches and pains will make us more aware

Of what has always been this way; time’s play of groan and grin

Will scrawl its telling empathy on/in envelopes of skin

The best and worst of blessed and cursed will keep no form intact

Time’s sleight of hand adept at disclosing matters of fact

Yet cannot touch the much more meaningful and precious part

Where love and thankfulness can keep us ever young at heart

© Janet Martin

Psalm 100:5

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Sweet Comfort and Joy

Psalm 139:5

You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.

In our small group bible/sermon studies through our church, last night

we were contemplating the verse below and how we can be mightily transformed in our

thinking and actions if we truly take God at His word!

Heb.13:5

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, 

because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

In today's Daily Bread Devotion  we are reminded

 that no one knows what will happen!

Life is always full of uncertainties.

God and his Word the one constant certainty!

Hallelujah!

God, Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

What sweet comfort and joy

Before, behind, beside

A safeguard nothing can destroy

Shields us from evil’s tide

Where, though storms ebb and flow

And oft we weep and groan

What sweet comfort and joy to know

We are never alone

Dear one, do not despair

No matter what betide

God keeps us in His faithful care

Before, behind, beside

No foe can penetrate

The bulwark of His Word

No guard on earth can compensate

For God’s arm undeterred

What He says He will do

His vow is bona fide

He accompanies me and you

Before, behind, beside

Nothing seen can compare

To the peace faith receives

As humble trust turns into prayer

And utterly believes

How near The Unseen draws

As sweet comfort and joy

Transcends The Seen with hope because

Of what none can destroy

© Janet Martin

Isa. 40:28

Do you not know?

 Have you not heard? 

The LORD is the everlasting God, 

the Creator of the ends of the earth. 

He will not grow tired or weary,

 and his understanding no one can fathom.

November Dusk Ditty

Tomorrow’s troubles can wait

(I’ve learned they always do)

Let’s linger at time’s phantom gate

While dusk deepens its blue

And snuffs away the view

Until all we can see

Is someone in the window staring

Back at you and me

Leave morrow’s sorrows be

Today has quite enough

To wrangle into poetry

Of hope and hurt and love

Of blush and bronze and mauve

Like colors on a tray

That fell beneath the velvet veil that

Brushed the world away

© Janet Martin

My 'I Shall Not Want' Want-list

I want to see the beauty in each day that He has made...

Our world is completely winterized where only two weeks ago 

I took a long walk admiring the remnant foliage of fall...

And just like that, with the snow

thoughts of Christmas start to take center stage

where want and wish lists also begin to take shape...

While gifts are nice and delightful expressions of love,

as we grow older, we realize more and more

 that what satisfies our Want cannot be unwrapped from

pretty paper and ribbons.

The Lord is my Shepherd.

I shall not want...

Ps. 23:1

Without refreshment and renewal found in God's Word alone.

our want lists are apt to run a bit askew,

and discouragement would drain

our 'joy complete'

John 15:9-11

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. 

Now remain in my love. 

10If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love,

 just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 

11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you 

and that your joy may be complete.

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

I want my thoughts established in the soundness of God’s Word

I want by joy completed when I see Him face to face

I want my footsteps ordered by His law to undergird

I want my gladness anchored in the goodness of His grace

I want my focus fixed upon The Prize we cannot see

I want my thirst and hunger satisfied by righteousness

I want my hope held steadfast in the promises of He

Whose love and justice will not fail to comfort, keep and bless

I want my store of treasure to be more than merchant wage

I want to want more dearly what this world can never give

I want to hold fast to the teachings passed from age to age

I want a heart that grows more thankful with each day I live

I want to treat my fellowman with kind humility

I want with heart and soul and mind to love the Lord, my God

I want my light to shine so others may see Him in me

And with the gospel of His peace, I want my feet thus shod

I want to never envy ungodly prosperity 

I want to not be fooled by the appearance of the shell

I want, with awe and wonder to look upon Calvary

To remember the empty tomb: Christ conquered death and hell

I want to see God's beauty in each day that He has made

I want to work toward a goal beyond this world's success

I want to be discerning where wolves in sheep's clothes invade

I want to leave behind a legacy of faithfulness 

I want to keep my tongue from meting cruel blow for blow

I want to find the Life no thief can steal, kill or destroy

And when I die, I want to hear the sweetest words I know

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter Thy Lord’s joy”

© Janet Martin

Winter Happiness

 

In case we still had doubts as to whether winter was really here,

last night and this morning cleared up any lingering confusion😅💓!

The crunch of leaves beneath our feet are blanketed with snow

As all along the silent street our muffled footsteps go

Where, fast asleep beneath a starred duvet of eiderdown

Earth looks like a vintage postcard of countryside and town

…where good old days and good old ways suddenly reappear

In tea kettles and hearths ablaze with home-sweet, home-spun cheer

…while every rooftop, post and plume are swaddled in a muff

That tumbles from a lofty loom threaded with frosty fluff

While every nose turns rosy-red while the whole world turns white

And earth becomes a featherbed much to each child’s delight

…where they, as happy as can be with eyes and cheeks aglow

Stir us to recall tenderly, childhoods of long ago

As shouts of joy and starry gaze for winter’s first snow fall

Suddenly make these ‘modern days’ not seem modern at all

Rekindling good, old-fashioned mirth as we walk hand in hand

Through snowflakes transforming the earth to winter’s wonderland

Where the first flurry of the year regardless of its chill

Wakens in us the warmth and cheer of old fashioned good will

...and good, old-fashioned thankfulness for good, old-fashioned joys

Of good old-fashioned happiness of winter's girls and boys  

© Janet Martin