inspired today's give and take contemplation...
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
who does not change like shifting shadows.
Acts 17:28
For in him we live and move and have our being.
’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
How often we are like this robin,
who took full advantage of a freshly-filled birdbath!
We soak and splash in the faithfully-replenished fountain of blessing.
Pray we thank the Giver for all we take!
God gives; we take. All we receive precedes relinquishment
Each accomplishment we achieve the fruit of favours lent
Goodness and mercy’s wellspring spills; we drink, with gifted breath
Too oft mindless of He who fills the fount of life-to-death
God gives; we take. A treasure trove of generosity
Anoints our touch-and-taste with love’s accountability
Where all we have is what we take while He ordains the chance
And it is up to us to make the most of all He grants
God gives; we take; and if we suffer loss tis but the part
Of gain we often overlook until it breaks our heart
And bids us contemplate the sum of grace till we are awed
For all we have is given from the outstretched Hand of God
God gives today; we wake and take it, consciously or not
Ah pray, that what we make of it is the best we have got
He gives; we take. Forbid we boast in anyone but He
Who loves us to the uttermost for all eternity
© Janet Martin
John 19:10-11
So Pilate said to Him, “Do You refuse to speak to me?
Do You not know that I have authority to release You
and authority to crucify You?”
11Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me
if it were not given to you from above.
Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”
Olives that have known no pressure
No oil can bestow;
If the grapes escape the winepress,
Cheering wine can never flow;
Spikenard only through the crushing,
Fragrance can diffuse.
Shall I then, Lord, shrink from suff’ring
Which Thy love for me would choose?
Each blow I suffer
Is true gain to me.
In the place of what Thou takest
Thou dost give Thyself to me.
Do my heart-strings need Thy stretching,
Songs divine to prove?
Do I need for sweetest music
Cruel treatment of Thy love?
Lord, I fear no deprivation
If it draws to Thee;
I would yield in full surrender
All Thy heart of love to see.
I’m ashamed, my Lord, for seeking
Self to guard alway;
Though Thy love has done its stripping,
Yet I’ve been compelled this way.
Lord, according to Thy pleasure
Fully work on me;
Heeding not my human feelings,
Only do what pleases Thee.
If Thy mind and mine should differ,
Still pursue Thy way;
If Thy pleasure means my sorrow,
Still my heart shall answer, “Yea!”
’Tis my deep desire to please Thee,
Though I suffer loss;
E’en though Thy delight and glory
Mean that I endure the cross.
Oh, I’ll praise Thee, e’en if weeping
Mingle with my song.
Thine increasing sweetness calls forth
Grateful praises all day long.
Thou hast made Thyself more precious
Than all else to me:
Thou increase and I decrease, Lord—
This is now my only plea.
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I hope you enjoyed your pause on this porch and thank-you for your visit!