Showing posts with label God's goodness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's goodness. Show all posts

Friday, July 12, 2024

To The Likes of Us


Each day is a little like a flower
that unfolds, blooms and fades, so fast!
A little like summer flowers, which
is why I am sharing another flower-garden meander today,
because this garden will not stay this way for long!







I like picturing God at daybreak,
with a watering can in his Hand
showering the earth with goodness and mercy!
Does that image fill you with
hope, joy and peace too?






Lowered to the likes of we
Through star-studded canopy
Rushing night’s dazzling veneer
Till its tea-lights disappear
God, so rich in mercy grants
A new day filled with fresh chance

To track records, vile and grim
As we disregarded Him
While we craved the fading fruits
Of this world’s grave-doomed pursuits
God so rich in love bestows
Daybreak, like a dew-kissed rose

Above our wayward bent
He unfolds a blush-gold tent
Grace affords to likes of we
Unmarred opportunity
Fills thoroughfares, still untrod
Lowered from the Hand of God

Thus, may the likes of us be
Thankful, with humility
Earth and sky thunders with Him
Where goodness and mercy brim
From God, patient, kind and true
To the likes of me and you

© Janet Martin

Isa.40:6-8
(read the whole glorious chapter HERE)

A voice says, “Cry out!”

And I asked, “What should I cry out?”

“All flesh is like grass,

and all its glory like the flowers of the field.

7The grass withers and the flowers fall

when the breath of the LORD blows on them;

indeed, the people are grass.

8The grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of our God stands forever.”e


Thursday, July 11, 2024

The Good and Perfect 'Changeless'



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.

The cup that holds life’s sparkle of delight
Praise God, still spills to gladden taste and touch...



The innocence of tot, eager to learn
The priceless charge of we who teach and train...
(Helping gramma make *Lemon-raspberry-blueberry muffins)
Recipe at the bottom of this post



Grandson is learning,an egg beater is not as easy as gramma made it look 😊💖



Forever, licking the bowl is the best part of helping


well, almost!

The sweeping lyrics of soft summer rain...
(I hope the corn rows recover  from some 
VERY sweeping, not always soft, 
remnant of hurricane Beryl 'lyrics', yesterday!)


Mingled warble of songbirds, free of care...


The happy, smile-reward of ‘dishes done’


The unspeakable awe of lilies fair




And fine vesture of fields, wildflower-spun





The best things in life do not change, in spite
Of rise and fall of centuries and such
The cup that holds life’s sparkle of delight
Praise God, still spills to gladden taste and touch

The innocence of tot, eager to learn
The priceless charge of we who teach and train
God’s tutelage, that we could never earn
The sweeping lyrics of soft summer rain

Mingled warble of songbirds, free of care
The happy, smile-reward of ‘dishes done’
The unspeakable awe of lilies fair
And fine vesture of fields, wildflower-spun

Each new day, rife with opportunity
A little like an ephemeral raft
Where the pleasure of pleasant company
Grants echo-measure to treasure long aft

The value of kindness, however small
To cheer someone. The joy of home, sweet home
A haven in a world of beck and call
To which, eager and thankfully we come

Sound slumber’s elixir, coffee, hot, black
The grace whereby we weather the ways of
Today; something we can never have back
Then, make the precious best of live-to-love

Because the best things time cannot estrange
No shifting shadow, God, whose mercies brim
In steadfast faithfulness, through constant change
Still, every good, perfect gift comes from Him

The pure contentment of a thankful heart
The happiness of words like ‘us’ and ‘we’
Each season, showcasing majestic art
By the author of perfect poetry

The thrill of a good book, good food, good friend 
Good morning dear, wherever you may be
We have a God whose goodness knows no end
 Trustworthy throughout all eternity 

© Janet Martin

This is how the book George Muller of Bristol ends;
the changelessness of truth makes its treasured text timeless 


and here is the above mentioned recipe

Janet's Raspberry-Blueberry Lemon Muffins

(originally they were going to be only Raspberry-lemon.
 but while Gramma had her back turned
half of the raspberries mysteriously disappeared!) 😂😉

21/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup white sugar (or less)
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 cup butter (or 3/4 cup butter and 2 tbsp. olive oil)
zest of one lemon
3/4 cup milk
squeeze in juice of 1/2 lemon
2 eggs
 1 tsp. vanilla 
1 cup each, frozen or fresh
raspberries and blueberries
slivered almond garnish, optional

Combine flour, sugar and baking powder in large bowl.
cut in butter peices till crumbly.
reserve 3/4 cup of crumbs for topping.
set aside.
Combine milk, eggs and vanilla
Add to dry ingredients, and lemon zest, 
and stir only till moistened.
gently fold in fruit.
Spoon into muffin cups.
Sprinkle with reserved crumbs (and slivered almonds)
Bake approx. 30 min. or till firm whe touched at 350 F
Yield: 12 large or 18 medium muffins


Friday, March 8, 2024

The Best That Boast Can Laud (begins and ends with God)

Happy...Friday?!! Already😅🙏💗

So many sweet photo-op skies this week...
Below, just a few!









Col.1:15-17
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
  16For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth,
visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities.
 All things were created through Him and for Him.
17He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

All beauty we behold is divinely founded!
without God's mercy and might to hold it in place
it would all fall!

Artists, since the beginning mimic His creation,
all inspiration of God-breathed origin!

My poetic endeavors have been challenged this week
it seems. It flew by in a blink of blessing!

Mon.-Food safety and management course, 

Tues.-grand-sonny visit, appointment, small group gettogether,

Wed. finishing food prep and delivery for event mentioned here 
Thursday-Help my mom with spring-cleaning (forgot camera!!)😭
...and just like that!!! It's Friday!

Today I am prepping food and house 
for our youngest daughter's birthday celebration
on the weekend!
A whole bunch of friends staying over while 
Jim and I stay out😅💝

I began this poem yesterday morning!
The first line fell from Heaven as I stood admiring the sky
while rubbing sleep from my eyes...


Time’s fountain brims with life; it peals from belfries gold and gray
Its showstoppers run rife; God never takes a holiday
The Hand that tunes the tide that ebbs and flows with season-sweeps
Regales the countryside with color, crowned with boundless deeps
The best that boast can laud as brush and pen rush awe’s grandstands
Begins and ends with God; each work of art drawn from His hands

He grants the breathless dance of worship’s unrehearsed requiem
And cheers hope’s countenance with refreshment where mercies stream
In wonders of creation, from the wellspring of his Word
Reasons for celebration overflow and undergird
To kindle exaltation that is incomparable
Salvation’s invitation still extends to one and all

God’s goodness never ceases to thrill the soul that believes
Unrivaled masterpieces humble all mankind achieves
Thus, the best boast can muster as we meditate on This
Are endeavors to trust Him more because of Who He IS
His faultless Influence imparts the best that boast can laud
All art we woo from hands and hearts begins and ends with God

© Janet Martin

Every artist who ever has dipped pen or brush
 into inkwells and paint palettes
draws from scenes cupped and cradled in God's Hands!
Thus every work of art ought to be signed-
By His grace
For His glory!










Friday, July 21, 2023

God's Changeless Promises

This photo is taken from a hill close to my brother and sister-in-law's place
about 10 min. from our house and though I see the view often it NEVER disappoints! 



Psalm 145:13
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, 
and your dominion endures through all generations. 
The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.

When we are troubled what better, than to kneel at the cross.

Kneel at the Cross-Jim and Jesse

 


For all we wish we could return, beneath life’s testing rod
Tis in life’s challenges we learn the faithfulness of God
In the valley where gloom may try our joy to overthrow
His changeless promises reply, hope and peace to bestow

The beauty and goodness of God abounds, for aye. Amen
Each of His attributes confounds the best of mortal ken
Then, though we do not understand the reason of His thought
His changeless promises command our worship, do they not?

How often in my worry I forget to humbly trust
God is not in a hurry as He tames our willful dust
But plies, with love that will not fail, that which draws us to Him
His changeless promises prevail, beyond our wildest whim

How proud would be our prayer, but for the trial and the tear
But for the creature care that binds us to His listening ear
Then in each sorrow we confide, He whispers as we plead
My changeless promises abide, ah, what more do you need?’

© Janet Martin

Psalm 31:19
Oh, how great is Your goodness, 
Which You have laid up for those who fear You,
 Which You have prepared for those who trust in You 
In the presence of the sons of men!


Wednesday, November 30, 2022

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. 

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)





Monday, October 31, 2022

Of Goodness and Mercy

 Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy -Shane and Shane



God’s Goodness: what delight this confidence bestows
His goodness does not shift like shadows through life’s highs and lows
But, steadfast and secure in spite of creature care
The full assurance of His goodness combats dark despair
Where we who trust in Him, and His goodness unfurled
Are part of His Goodness, to bring hope to a dying world
To cheer the suffering, to bear their burden too
To be a ready offering of His goodness run through

God’s mercy: what sweet joy and consolation bless
No foe or trouble can destroy mercy’s kind faithfulness
Sin’s pardon has been won. No other fete achieves
What mercy grants to everyone who repents and believes
Where we would deserve death and hell, grace sets us free
His mercy fills Final Breath’s knell with shouts of victory
For through death’s valley, He will walk with us, so near
To overthrow the enemy so that we need not fear

Goodness and mercy, oh, let endless praise begin
His goodness for our want and woe, His mercy for our sin
Wherever life may lead, whatever may befall
Goodness and mercy intercede to help us through it all
Where so unworthy we, heirs and joint heirs of Christ
Benefit from the agony that Jesus sacrificed
To draw all men to Him, the Perfect Prince of Peace
Where His goodness and mercy brim from founts that never cease

The glass through which we peer does not reveal the whole
A darkly, sorrow-scarred veneer enshrouds the deathless soul
Where what we see in part often vexes our gaze
Goodness and mercy’s works of art above our thoughts and ways
Because the cruciform of faith and hope and love
Must bear the testing storm its authenticity to prove
But, whatever betide, of grief and pain and strife
Goodness and mercy will preside all the days of our life

© Janet Martin

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not [a]want.
2 He makes me to lie down in [b]green pastures;
He leads me beside the [c]still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will [d]dwell in the house of the Lord
[e]Forever.



Thursday, September 1, 2022

Once Upon Many a Wistful Morrow (have been here and gone)

Happy September!!!


And to Adam He said:
“Because you have listened to the voice of your wife
and have eaten from the tree
of which I commanded you not to eat,
cursed is the ground because of you;
through toil you will eat of it
all the days of your life.
18Both thorns and thistles it will yield for you,
and you will eat the plants of the field.
19By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your bread,
until you return to the ground—
because out of it were you taken.
For dust you are,
and to dust you shall return.”

Gen.3:17-19 (BSB)

We have toiled 'by the sweat of our brow', haven't we?!!
And Lord willing we are not done yet!
And we have eaten, haven't we?!
Thank-you, gracious Heavenly Father!

While not everything may have bloomed, obedient to expectation's hope, 
as we planted seeds, seedlings, and bulbs,
we are thankful for what often exceeds hope and expectation! 

From Fancy's Dream of a plethora of colorful dahlias....

to bushy reluctant bloomers 


that buried the planters until I moved them


From barren field with dust flying to a sweep of golden butterfly-like flutters...

From blank canvas....


...to our Creator's Masterpieces!!



A reflection and reply to this poem from May...


Spring's Wistful Morrow-World, my dear, has now been nearly spent..
Its planted plot and furrow unfurled in fruit-testament
Hope, giddy with spring's fantasy of flowers, bears the yoke
Of disappointment and delight; for blooms are not bespoke
And so we choose to cherish what was granted, midst withheld
Before the present perishes as past and future meld
Where we, all struggling students 'neath the tutelage of God
Are learning patient prudence, for no hand can force a bud
Or undo, what in Eden, routed man's eternal rest
As Eve and Adam doubted and put God's Word to the test
Where the infested ground we till still yields to human race
The bread we eat, the flower frill, like emblems of God's grace
Where, though spring's Wistful Morrow may not unfold as we planned
We know both joy and sorrow's plume are cradled in God's Hand

© Janet Martin

And the sunrise was no slouch either!!!




The last pic in my spring post made me a bit teary...


These tots seem so much bigger already!