Solace...

 

 A few of the many glorious pictures in scripture 

of the Righteous and Loving God to Whom we pray...

From Isa. 40... 

 Ezekiel 34:16
I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, 

and will bind up that which was broken, 

and will strengthen that which was sick: 

but I will destroy the fat and the strong; 

I will feed them with judgment.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, 

how often I have longed to gather your children together, 

as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.

Matt.23:37

He tends his flock like a shepherd: 

He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; 

he gently leads those that have young.

Isa. 40:11

Ah, sweet, sacred intimacy
When man to God draws near
Where hearts are poured in prayerful plea
Where only He can hear

Trust's altar, vouchsafed for mankind
Where want and need are bled
Where surrender and faith are blind
And cling to Mercy’s stead

What awesome privilege to rest
Beneath perfect love’s wing
Where He who knows and answers best
Gathers us close to Him

© Janet Martin

I've shared this song many times because I love it!

Love; All We Need...More Of

Love is patient, love is kind

Keeping others first in mind

No matter what lies behind

Love has no regrets

Always faithful, always true

Always right for me and you

Where, no matter what we do

Love forgives its debts

Keeps no record of the wrong

Love is kind and suffers long

Always trustworthy and strong

For love never fails

Never seeks revenge with spite

Never gives up the good fight

Never darkness, always Light

Hope’s wind in our sails

Love is gentle, bold, yet meek

Love will turn the other cheek

Love will always seek to speak

Words worth living for

Love walks secret second miles

In the face of fear, love smiles

Love gives reason to life’s whiles

Love needs nothing more

© Janet Martin

Without Argument or Complaint

 Last night I started to pray this prayer but simply could not remember all the lines 

so I decided it's time to give this, one of my Charlie Pride favs, a listen or three!

It rises ere dark fades away

Yet often labours late

It never takes a holiday

Or bars its front yard gate

It does not seek out praise or fame

But shoulders common care

Without argument or complaint

Or claiming its ‘fair share’

Its cloth of meek and modest mien

It turns the other cheek

And often thinks, then thinks again

When it has words to speak

Its charge leaves little room to pout

About its grant of grace

That none of us can live without

And nothing takes its place

Patient and kind, worth more than gold

It never seeks its own

And rich or poor or young or old

It cannot thrive alone

It doesn’t look like much sometimes

A soiled and tattered glove

Its road, detours and steep inclines

But still we call it love

© Janet Martin

We Thank Thee...

 Praise the LORD. 

How good it is to sing praises to our God, 

how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

Ps.147:1

A Few Yesterday Thank-you Moments in photo...

"Do you like my new shoes?" she asked, beaming with pride. "I put them on all by myself!"

For these common ties that bind us

To the day with task’s demand

For Thy faithfulness behind us

And Thy faithfulness at hand

For Thy mercies, new each morning

Since man’s downfall sired need

For dawn’s fresh ‘hello’ returning

Where we planted yester’s seed

For the goodness of a Father

Who so loves this human race

Patiently to each You offer

For guilt’s deadly impasse, grace

For Thy never-ending Presence

For Thy never-failing care

For Thy never-needless lessons

To teach us to trust Thee more

For Thy fount of wondrous blessing

‘Who can count Thy loving ways?’

Precious Lord of earth and Heaven

We thank Thee and give Thee praise, Amen

© Janet Martin

One of my most-listened-to songs because it applies to every single day...

 

Below is a 'Thanksgiving' song 

but for some reason as I plant and dig I find myself humming it over and over

Back In The Day...

For today’s prompt, Last one, day 30!! can you believe it?!

write a “back in the day” poem. 

You might also call this a “good old days” poem or a “bad old days” poem.

This song rings with scenes from my 'back in the day':)

Through haze of days and willow-treed whisper

Silence plays childhood’s sentimental tune

Eighth notes kerplop, hands grab for the glister

Of apple-shaped gold on a hot afternoon

Summer-kissed darlings all arms, legs and whim

Dash where the hour entwines starry sighs

Drawing with nothing but bud to leaf limb

Dream-blind beginners from youth’s paradise

Mother calls ‘supper’ and we have each other

And don’t even know about loneliness

Five sons, five daughters, father and mother

A ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ happiness

Want, like a match kindles eyes full of fire

Bellies burn but food cannot satisfy

Life, like a ladder lures each to climb higher

One by one, leaving extra pieces of pie

…and a wide wake of July mornings sparkling

Like glossy cherries on time’s farthest branch

Innocence strewn to the dust in a garden

Planted with echoes where once bare feet danced

© Janet Martin