For Preciousness of Souls...

Happy Almost Mid-May!!

Once more the day the Lord has made extends the goodness of God’s grace...

We never know what a day holds!

We will never know the ways of God, save this;

all things work together for good to those who love Him 

and are called according to His purpose. (Rom.8:28)

All things! 

though disappointments crush,

though sorrows roll,

though disobedience appears to flourish,

though faith is tested,

though many prayers seem to go unanswered,

though cares groan in our mortal tent

God is working these things together for good 

to those who truly, utterly love Him

and are earnestly seeking to serve God's purposes 

rather than desires of the human heart. 

The human bent of the heart is deceitful above all things

and desperately wicked 

and until faith reaches the place where we are willing

to place our dearly-beloved Isaacs on the altar of sacrifice, 

trusting God's holy and righteous love/will above all, 

we struggle and fall,

 because we are born with a rebellious nature,

and thought that errs!

God's purpose calls us, not to be true to ourselves,

but true to Him! 

2 Cor.5:9-11&14-15

Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, 

to be well pleasing to Him. 

10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, 

that each one may receive the things done in the body, 

according to what he has done, 

whether good or bad. 

11Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, 

we persuade men; but we are well known to God, 

and I also trust are well known in your consciences...

14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: 

that if One died for all, then all died; 15and He died for all, 

that those who live should live no longer for themselves, 

but for Him who died for them and rose again.

2 Pet.3:8-9

But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, 

that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, 

and a thousand years as one day. 

9The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, 

as some count slackness, 

but is longsuffering toward [c]us,

 not willing that any should perish 

but that all should come to repentance.

(I really wanted to write about mothers and tots, 

my family, spring beauty, friends and so much that has confounded delight recently, 

and maybe I still will, but the sacred Source of awe and purpose

 seemed to sound a more solemn note to start a new week! )  

***

Once more the preciousness of souls compels all who believe to pray

Because the holiest of goals approaches with each passing day

This transient tent of skin and bone is but Immortality’s cloak

A dwelling place in which we groan, while should'ring love’s compelling yoke

The human heart is full of schemes to serve the part/art that eyes behold

Tossed to and fro by ‘that which seems’ rather than what God’s word has told

Not how one talks but how one walks bears witness to faith’s diligence

Beware of subtle stumbling blocks dressed in kind disobedience

Study ‘the way that seemeth right’, lest it is filled with compromise

Lest first impressions of delight tempt us with ‘you will become wise’

Lest, in the garden of today, we fall prey to temptation’s vice

Enticed by ‘did God really say?’ rather than humble sacrifice

Once more the day the Lord has made extends the goodness of God’s grace

The example, when Christ obeyed still guides the whole of human race

Faultless and faithful to the end, He bore, for preciousness of souls

The death of convicts, to defend, nay, break the curse where darkness rolls

This Tent is more than food and clothes; time’s flicker, no mean, cosmic whim

The cross, love’s proof that God first chose to save all who believe in Him

Then pray, for preciousness of souls, we take up love’s cross for His sake

Because the holiest of goals approaches, with each breath we take

© Janet Martin

Is Your All on the Altar? 

Lyrics by Elisha Hoffman-1839-1929

1 You have longed for sweet peace,

And for faith to increase,

And have earnestly, fervently prayed.

But you cannot have rest,

Or be perfectly blest,

Until all on the altar is laid.

Refrain:

Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?

Your heart does the Spirit control?

You can only be blest,

And have peace and sweet rest,

As you yield Him your body and soul.

2 Would you walk with the Lord

In the light of His Word,

And have peace and contentment alway?

You must do His sweet will

To be free from all ill–

On the altar your all you must lay. [Refrain]

3 Oh, we never can know

What the Lord will bestow

Of the blessings for which we have prayed,

Till our body and soul

He doth fully control,

And our all on the altar is laid. [Refrain]

4 Who can tell all the love

He will send from above,

And how happy our hearts will be made,

Of the fellowship sweet

We shall share at His feet

When our all on the altar is laid! [Refrain]

How Else??

Christmas is far more than an excuse to decorate,

or buy gifts for loved ones

or (over) indulge in favourite foods and drinks...etc.

It is more than an arranging of religious figurines...

 Christmas, for Christians, is the celebration of Christ's first coming to the world!

And a celebration of anticipation of His second coming!

And hopefully, not simply a seasonal celebration

but a faithful continuation of the holy joyful expectation

of meeting Jesus

where, each time we open His Word, 

we do meet Him but not yet face to face!

Each time we open his Word

we meet Him there!

Have you met Jesus today?

Coming Soon-Redeemed Quartet

Recently I heard this caution;

If you do not read the Word of God

you will be deceived.

If we do not read the word of God we will err in our thinking...

Matt.22:29

Jesus replied, “You are in error because 

you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.

How often the word of God contradicts human logic...

To defend sin, no matter how hurt we are/were

or how much we love the sinner

is to defend disobedience and ungodliness!

....God is light and in Him is no darkness.

If we say we have fellowship with Him

and walk in darkness, we lie (1 John 1:5-6)

Oh, may we ask the Lord as we meet Him

in his Word ....

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, 

may give you/us a spirit of wisdom and revelation 

in your/our knowledge of Him.

(18I) ask that the eyes of your/our heart(s) may be enlightened, 

so that you/we may know 

the hope of His calling, 

the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,

19and the surpassing greatness of His power

 to us who believe.

Eph.1:17-19

How can we taste and see God's goodness without knowledge, first, of Him

How, in this world of sin and darkness, can we shine, without His Word

How, without putting on His armour can we face faith's foe, so grim 

For he masquerades as a charmer, smooth-talking till truth is blurred

 Mass ignorance and confusion applauds the blind leading the blind

After claiming Christ's absolution, God's love-light is shed abroad

In our hearts; As His Word reaches joint and marrow of darkened mind 

His Word alone begins to teach us how to live and love like God

How else can we claim to know Jesus, yet not/but to seek Him through His Word?  

No other scripture can release us from clutches of sinful choice 

How, without His Word to win us can faith persevere, undeterred

How, without His Word within us can we begin to hear His Voice?  

Janet Martin~

Ps.19:7-11

The Law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul;

the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

8The precepts of the LORD are right,

bringing joy to the heart;

the commandments of the LORD are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

9The fear of the LORD is pure,

enduring forever;

the judgments of the LORD are true,

being altogether righteous.

10They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the comb.

11By them indeed Your servant is warned;

in keeping them is great reward...

Read the whole glorious chapter HERE

What Will Our Answer Be? (To the greatest question of all)

We all answer this greatest question of all!!

Not with our lips, but with our lives.

What is our answer when Jesus asks us like He asked Peter,

Do you love Me?

When the Lord, the righteous Judge appears,

Is our greatest goal hearing these most precious words, "Well Done"?

Well done, not to earn salvation, but as a proclamation of love

and eternal thanksgiving to God, who so loved the world

that he gave his only begotten Son, so all who believe in Him

should not perish but have everlasting life! John 3:16

Well Done

  

Let Me Live

He looked at me, and loved me as He tenderly implored

Will you love this fleeting world most, or will you love the Lord?

How far will you go, how much will you sacrifice for me

Or is the price of love too great in spite of Calvary?

Do you hold treasures of this world too dear to give away?

Is it to much for Me to ask you to trust and obey?

He looks at you and loves you as He beckons for reply

Do you love me? or do you seek this world to satisfy?

Is its treasure and pleasure dearer than the cross I bore

To break the curse of Satan; do you love him or me more?

Is this mist of existence worth denial’s endless rue?

Or will you love me because of my love, faithful and true?

He looks at us and loves us still imploring tenderly

When you and I reply, pray what will our answer be?

Will we be like the rich young ruler; by vain riches lured

Will we forfeit eternally, the Life His death secured

Or will we join faith’s cloud of witnesses who still believed

In spite of precious promises their sight never received?

When you and I reply, pray what will our answer be?

He looks at us and loves us still imploring tenderly

© Janet Martin

Mark 10:17-31

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him.

 “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.

 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, 

you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 

you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’[d]”

20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him.

 “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, 

and you will have treasure in heaven. 

Then come, follow me.”

22 At this the man’s face fell. 

He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,

 “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

24 The disciples were amazed at his words. 

But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is[e] to enter the kingdom of God!

 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle 

than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other,

 “Who then can be saved?”

27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible,

 but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”

29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters 

or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel

 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: 

homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—

along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 

31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

How To Recognize What Matters Most

Yesterday morning began a new year of Sunday School,

at our church,

and as I joined the group of teachers and children

something hard to explain ripped through me...

such love for a room packed with Eager Innocence!!

(soon under fire!!)

What a sacred charge, for we who are older

to teach, (far more by example than words)

our children to remember their Creator in the days of their youth

and what it means to love the Lord, (y)our God,

with all (y)our heart, soul, strength and mind

and to love (y)our neighbour as (y)ourself! 

Luke 10:27,Mark 12:30-31,Matthew 22:37-40,

Deuteronomy 6:5,Deuteronomy 30:6,Romans 13:9,James 2:8,

Mark 12:33-34,Leviticus 19:18,1 John 3:18,Deuteronomy 10:12,

Matthew 19:19,Hebrews 8:10,Galatians 5:13

Children are such precious jewels!!

When He Cometh 

The older that we grow the harder it becomes to change set ways!

How crucial, while we may, to pray, 'God teach us to number our days...

...so we may gain a heart of wisdom, before days come, trouble-cursed

Before we find no pleasure in seeking God and His kingdom first

Before worldly cares choke His Word that fell like seed on thorny ground

Before strife or the pride of life lures love, still innocent and sound 

Before desire is not stirred to love the Lord with all we have

Before we boast, forgetful of Who's goodness and mercy forgave

...Us, while we were still dead in sin, sinless, God's Lamb was sacrificed

To rend the temple's veil and anchor Living Hope in Jesus Christ 

Granting to heirs of Love's great promise, consolation, strong and sure 

Fitting faith, when facing temptation, with conviction to endure

Before we grow old, habit-hardened, heart untuned to wisdom's ways/praise 

Pray the Lord to teach us early how to humbly number our days 

...and how to recognize the gain of what appears most modest mien 

Faith, the substance of things hoped for and evidence of things unseen 

 

© Janet Martin

Eccles.12

Remember your Creator

in the days of your youth,

before the days of trouble come

and the years approach when you will say,

“I find no pleasure in them”—

2 before the sun and the light

and the moon and the stars grow dark,

and the clouds return after the rain;

3 when the keepers of the house tremble,

and the strong men stoop,

when the grinders cease because they are few,

and those looking through the windows grow dim;

4 when the doors to the street are closed

and the sound of grinding fades;

when people rise up at the sound of birds,

but all their songs grow faint;

5 when people are afraid of heights

and of dangers in the streets;

when the almond tree blossoms

and the grasshopper drags itself along

and desire no longer is stirred.

Then people go to their eternal home

and mourners go about the streets.

6 Remember him—before the silver cord is severed,

and the golden bowl is broken;

before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,

and the wheel broken at the well,

7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from,

and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

8 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.[a]

“Everything is meaningless!”

9 Not only was the Teacher wise, 

but he also imparted knowledge to the people. 

He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 

10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, 

and what he wrote was upright and true.

11 The words of the wise are like goads,

 their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails

—given by one shepherd.[b] 

12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.

Of making many books there is no end, 

and much study wearies the body.

13 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.

14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,

including every hidden thing,

whether it is good or evil.

Without Humility and Fear and Trembling at God's Word and Morning-tide is Gently Breaking (a Twofer today :-)

It takes patience, determination and discipline to blog this time of year!!

Yester-morn and this morning Cutie and Duty-Beauty prevailed

before I had accomplished sharing a poem here...

It's harvest and making-the-most-of-moments-

before-school-begins-again season...

Yesterday morning I first deposited all the corn on the lawn to husk but it

was so cool and windy we ended up moving into the garage!

Grand-sonny loved 'trucking' cobs to the wheelbarrow and baskets 

to keep the huskers husking!

Husking complete!

Isa.66:2

“These are the ones I look on with favor:

those who are humble and contrite in spirit,

and who tremble at my word.

I wrote the poem below before heading out to pick corn..., 

inspired in part by the above verse

and in part by plain, old-fashioned 

observation/self-examination 

Without humility and fear and trembling at God’s word

The paths of righteousness, for His name’s sake, are vision-blurred

Without willing contrition/submission of heart and soul, strength and mind

Love is oft led into temptation, sensual and blind

And without daily taking up love’s cross to suffer-long

Speech is a clanging cymbal and worship, a hollow gong

Without utter reliance and unswerving confidence

In God, the tree will not produce fruit of obedience

Without earth’s treasure taken now and then, to temper boast

Our want will never waken to desire God the most

Without the world forsaken first, God’s armor cannot shield

Us from the awful day when the unrighteous are revealed

Without the consolation of God’s hope, we lack the ken

To trust Him for salvation and knowledge of truth. Amen

We lack faith’s thankful fervor for the grace of God, who gave

Himself to be our Savior and to overthrow hell’s grave

Without surrender’s ‘not my will but Thine be done’ today

We lack the love we ought to have that bids us to obey

Without love's purposed commitment of living, sacrificed

We cannot find the fulfillment that comes through Jesus Christ

God will not keep in perfect peace, a mind un-stayed on Him

The ear is deaf if the heart has no word of God within

To lead in paths of righteousness and keep faith undeterred

With love’s humility and fear and trembling at His word

© Janet Martin

After corn husking I forgot to take photos till cleanup was complete!

All done! For now😅

The first four lines of today's poem

whispered to me out of a dead sleep... 💗

(so, if you prefer a quick ditty to

drawn-out doggerels those lines can be

its own little lyric)

Morning-tide is Gently Breaking 

Morning-tide is gently breaking like a gold lake over sod

Faithfulness, free for man’s taking tumbles from the hand of God

Goodness grants fresh salutations of love, from mercy renewed

Grace runs rife with invitations to fill life with gratitude...

Challenging easy desires and the thirst for pleasure’s vice

To a frontline that requires Giving’s living sacrifice

Morning-tide is gently rolling like a wave across the lea

Time’s tintinnabulum tolling holy opportunity

Beckoning, from mercy’s table, to drink deeply from hope’s fount

Reckoning is not a fable; someday we will give account

Pray then, that each day composes a most sober legacy

Lest we blush when God exposes what was hid, for all to see

Morning-tide is grandly sweeping over land and sea; behold

He whose kind and patient keeping dissolves the darkness with gold

He is awesome and all-knowing; earth and heaven beam and brim

With His evidence, bestowing immutable proof of Him

Until, He exchanges glimpses of His glory; time’s veil rent

Where at last seeing convinces every lofty argument

Morning-tide is gently breaking like a lake of gleaming gold

Moments, free for our taking, already slip through our hold

Softly and subtly preparing answers we will not escape

In the face of mercy’s bearing, recompense is taking shape

Where morning-tide, gently shimmers in a lake of gold and pink

Where the mist of reply glimmers, then dries in permanent ink

Come, before the tide of Morning disappears into the dark

Heed the voice that pleads with warning, lest we wait and miss Faith’s mark

Kiss the feet of the Creator, worship Him without reserve

Where He counters each debater with creation’s vim and verve

While the worshipper fills pages with humility or pride

While God crowns the dust of ages with newness of morning-tide

© Janet Martin

Helping gramma painstakingly uncurl and examine every single lemon tea leaf,

(before drying)

for tiny worms woven almost imperceptibly into curled edges!

But I love this tea so much which, I explained to them, is why it is worth the

squeamish effort!' And they love tea at gramma's house too!

1 Tim.1:17

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, 

to [e]God who alone is wise,

 be honor and glory forever and ever. 

Amen.

For Such a Time as This

Happy August! 

And day dawns,

 and seeds brim; 

earth’s fulness like a song...

Proclaiming the goodness of Him to whom all things belong...

It so easy to weigh attitudes and replies/choices 

on the scale of circumstance rather than consequence!

Quick fixes and instant-gratification

 are often not wise or lasting fixes or healthy-habit honing!

God, grant us wisdom and discretion through your Word!

Phil.1:9-11

And this is my prayer: 

that your love may abound more and more 

in knowledge and depth of insight,

  so that you may be able to discern what is best 

and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 

 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—

to the glory and praise of God.

I love listening to this song, esp. in the morning!

Still, Still with Thee

  

Wherever we are today, whatever the circumstance,

for such a time as this God equips us through His Spirit and His Word!

‘For such a time as this’ God puts us where we are

Sin’s consequence leaves much amiss; still, Love tips mercy’s jar

And day dawns, and seeds brim; earth’s fulness like a song

Proclaiming the goodness of Him to whom all things belong

God, rich in mercy reigns! How safe our hope in Him

Whose everlasting Truth sustains the Light that cannot dim

Though dark the days may be, where trouble takes its toll

And subtle is the enemy of faith that makes us whole

The best and worst of days confirm His promises

Mercy moves in mysterious ways to try man’s faithfulness

Poetic, pious phrase is not worship’s Great Price

Beyond our mortal gaze He weighs the fruit of sacrifice

‘For such a time as this’ God grants His steadfast Word

To anchor hope in promises that cannot be deterred

Goodness and mercy still follow us all our days

‘For such a time as this’ God will not fail in all He says

© Janet Martin

Esther 4:14

For if you remain silent at this time, 

relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place,

 but you and your father’s family will perish.

 And who knows but that you have come to your royal position 

for such a time as this?”

I also love this song, a go-to when discouragements press!

God Will Take Care of You

A Melody of Mercy Plays (or, A Great and Effective Open Door)

Good, glorious morning (or afternoon) to you!

Lam.3:22-24

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
23They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
24“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”

Rom.13:11

The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber,...

1 Cor.16:9

For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

A melody of mercy plays where morning is a mist-kissed flow’r...

A melody of mercy plays where morning is a mist-kissed flow’r

Unfolded with a breath of grace from He who orchestrates the hour

God’s loving kindness is enough no matter what today may bring

Goodness and mercy follow us until we dwell at last with Him

He helps us (if we ask) to bear the toll of toil and troubles drills

Faith weeps for joy; from founts of air, God’s unforgetting favor spills

For His compassions never fail, in spite of we who often do

Redemption’s Author rends the veil where mercy’s melody pours through

…where a great and effective door swings wide, where adversaries boast

Thus, we should not advance before we are equipped to face this host

Without the full armor of God, no one is able to withstand

The devil’s wiles; a scheming fraud who thrives on breaking God’s commands

But, praise the name of Jesus Christ; through Him fresh courage is unfurled

Because, greater is He in us than all the armies of the world

Where all who walk by faith behold far more than meets visual gaze

As the bud of today unfolds the melody that mercy plays

…a sweet and solemn battle-hymn, to fit us for frontline warfare

Because the stakes are high and grim, with consequence beyond compare

For, to take up the cross of Christ and follow Him demands our whole

Self is the idol sacrificed to serve the Saviour of the soul

Be of good cheer! Ah, can’t you hear?! a melody of mercy plays

The day of salvation draws near; and then will be the end of days

Come quickly Lord, nay, tarry for too many still reject Your call

Where a great and effective Door opens once more to one and all

© Janet Martin

Rom.13:11-14

And do this, understanding the occasion. 

The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber,

 for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 

12The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. 

So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 

13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, 

not in carousing and drunkenness, 

not in sexual immorality and debauchery, 

not in dissension and jealousy. 

14Instead, clothe yourselves withc the Lord Jesus Christ, 

and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

Imagine if we lived each day with the awareness that 

we are living just outside the gates of Heaven! or hell.

Below are a few breath-stealing pages

 I have been parked on this week

and I can't resist sharing with you

to enrich your pondering (and practicing) pleasure, 

to challenge, encourage and refine our daily resolutions...

There is a Fountain-