Oh, That We All Would...

Inspired in part by Luke 7

It was so neat; Luke 7 was yesterday's Dec. 7th reading

and this portion of that chapter was also part of last night's small group study!

Oh, that we all would identify with the woman

 in this beautiful account of Jesus' love for sinners...

Luke 7:36-50

When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[c] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Forgiven-David Crowder

‘Your faith has saved you, go in peace’

Oh, that we all would hear

Love’s blessed verdict of release

As joy fills sorrow’s tear

As we receive forgiveness from

The One who knew no sin

But calls to everybody ‘come’

A new life to begin

Oh, that we all would hear Him say

‘Your sins have been forgiv’n’

To feel guilt’s shackles fall away

Replaced by hope of heav’n

No longer who we once had been

As we confess sin’s score

God washes our rap sheet clean

Rememb’ring it no more

Oh, that we all would be transformed

By the gift faith receives

Through Jesus Christ, of death unarmed

The hour one believes

The gift of God, eternal life

Where once sin’s wage condemned

His peace prevails amidst the strife

By His promises hemmed

Oh, that we all will hear some day

‘Well done!’ and this because

We all would find The Only Way

The Truth, The Life; Jesus

Oh, that we all would be a part

Of hope and joy’s increase

As God transforms the human heart

With righteousness and peace

Oh, that we all would wash His feet

With tears of gratitude

Not trembling at the Judgement Seat

Save with wonder renewed

Oh, that we all would cling to this;

 Redemption's gift, so good

'Your faith has saved you, go in peace'

Oh, but that we all would 

© Janet Martin

Come As You Are-David Crowder

 

Here's My Heart, Lord-David Crowder

Joy-Athletes

Inspired in part by Luke 6

(such a rich chapter! so hard to choose just a few thoughts)

There's no getting around it; God knows our hearts!

Whether what we do is to glorify Him first through loving our neighbour as our self

or whether we live to look after personal interests first!

Jesus reminded the Pharisees that the 'Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.'

He taught us that it is always lawful to do good on any day of the week.

While, not voiding the command in Exodus 20:8-11  

to take a day of rest unto the Lord;

' Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 

Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; 

but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord God;

in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, 

your manservant, or your maidservant, or your cattle,

 or the sojourner who is within your gates;

 for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth,

 the sea, and all that is in them, 

and rested the seventh day; 

therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it.'

In Luke 6 He went on to remind them/us 

of the faithfulness of God to sacrificial and suffering believers.

He encourages believers/followers to

 'leap for joy, for great is the reward in Heaven'.

Luke 6:23

So let's all be athletes and 'leap for joy'!!

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee- Carrie Underwood

Oh, leap for joy

The baby boy

In Bethlehem became

Redemption’s Lamb

God’s gift to man;

Salvation through His name

Trust in the One

Who gave His Son

The war o’er death to win

Faithful and just

He forgives us

As we confess our sin

Rejoice in He

Who sets us free

From dread of death and hell

The wonders of

Redeeming love

Is more than tongue can tell

Then join the song

The angel throng

Began so long ago

Peace and goodwill

To sweetly fill

Hearts dark with Eden's woe

And let life be

A melody

Of love’s lovely increase

As we applaud

The gift of God

Of righteousness and peace

Joy to the world

Mercy unfurled

Hope’s banner, blood red, oh

Yet by God’s grace

Sin is erased

And washed as white as snow

The doleful knell

Of would-be hell

Is quelled; let love applaud

And leap for joy

That baby Boy

Restored man’s way to God

Then let each heart

Become the part

That cradles Heaven’s boy

As we revere

God’s gift so dear

And sing with endless joy

© Janet Martin

Advent Aria (for modern-day 'Marys')

 Inspired in part by Luke 1 

John 1:6-9

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 

7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, 

that all through him might believe. 

8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 

9 That[b] was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

Beautiful Star of Bethlehem

Love is the Light that pierces the darkness

Crowning our cares with courage, not despair

Love is God’s presence in us, lest harshness

Of this old world would be too hard to bear

Mercy extends Hope’s pure consolation

Not in some Thing that at death’s door will dim

Through generation unto generation

Love is the Light that draws people to Him

Joy to the world, magnify mercy’s author

Bethlehem cradled God’s humanity

For Jew and Gentile, love sent a Saviour

Let the world cry then ‘be it unto me’

Let us like Mary, with utter surrender

Trust in He who we know will never fail

Love is mankind’s death-defying Defender

Love is the Light that rent the temple’s veil

Love fills the womb of Time with God's kindness

Love conceives and gives birth to daily grace

Love is the healer of faith's would-be blindness

Love is the seeking soul's sweet resting place

Blessed is He, the Lord God of Israel

Love is the hand that sacrifice will scar

Love is the gift of good news to all people

Love is the Light of the Bright Morning Star

Love is the keeper of Hope’s expectation

Someday all people will look up and see

Glory’s appearing, the God of salvation

Ending the advent of all prophecy

Fulfillment finished at His second coming

As Heaven descends to earth’s broken world

Where Love still waits for lost people still roaming

Love is the Light of the gospel unfurled

© Janet Martin

More Than a String From the Sky

Hope Has a Name-River Valley Worship

  

No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus-Steffany Gretzinger

No One ever Cared for Me like Jesus (different from above)

Hope: the second most powerful

4-letter word in the English language after love!

Hope without Love is impossible.

God IS love!

The hope to which we cling is more than a string from the sky

It is the grace of God reached down to buoy you and I

It is a Beacon in the storm, an anchor for the soul

The touch that wakes the mustard seed of faith that makes us whole

It is the power of the cross where man’s redemption flows

The confidence in promises that nothing overthrows

It is the satisfaction that, (though oft misunderstood)

To all who love the Lord He works all things for our good

It is a still, small Voice that whispers while doubt’s cannons fly

‘The hope to which we cling is more than a string from the sky’

The cynic and the critic cannot thwart its sacred thread

The heathen and heretic cannot find a stable stead

The toast and boast of pagan pride can never satisfy

Only the Perfect Lamb that died to rescue you and I

From death and hell's damnation; from sin's cursed and lethal rope

The God of all creation became salvation and hope 

As He, so rich in mercy suffered our penalty

To rend the noose around our souls and set the sinner free

To restore to His bosom we who without Him would die

The hope to which we cling is more than a string from the sky 

© Janet Martin

This passage below was today's devotion and though a familiar favourite

 God's word has a way of leaving us completely smitten 

with the wonder of His love again and again

(read it more than once and feel your wonder increase with each reading)

Hallelujah! Praise God!

Let's live and love with honoured humility 

because of God's gift of grace!

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,

 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world 

and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, 

the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 

3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] 

and following its desires and thoughts. 

Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 

5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—

it is by grace you have been saved. 

6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, 

expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—

and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 

9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 

10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, 

which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:1-10

Something More Precious than Time...

If You Believe

(playing a song from the era of many fond memories

of a friend's mother, who has passed on)

And praise God, she believed and taught her children to believe too!)

At today's visitation the phrase 'precious time'

stood out to me as they fondly recalled

the last days/year and a half with Mother

after they were initially told maybe three months...

Time/life is precious 

but to the believer there is something more precious than Time...

Precious in the sight of the LORD

 Is the death of His saints.

Psalm 116:15

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”

and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,

you will be saved.

Rom.10:9

Oh, have you received the free gift?

Have you believed so you will not perish

with that final breath

but have everlasting life?

John 3:16

We don't need to find and provide the atonement offering!

God provided the Lamb...

For just as through the disobedience

of the one man (Adam) the many were made sinners,

so also through the obedience of the one man (Jesus)

the many will be made righteous.

Romans 5:19

What is our part?

To believe, receive and then,

'Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, 

in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,

 holy and pleasing to God—

this is your true and proper worship.'

Romans 12:1

(this not to secure our salvation, 

but to say thank-you, thank-you, Jesus

with a life of worship!)

He did not leave it up to us sin’s penance to procure

But gave His only Son, Jesus, our pardon to insure

If we believe we will receive the Gift purchased by He

Who suffered for us to achieve redemption’s legacy

He suffered for us to achieve redemption’s legacy

The evil one tries to deceive us with uncertainty

But God is faithful; He supplied atonement’s sacrifice

Once and for all Perfection died to pay salvation’s price

Once and for all Perfection died to pay salvation’s price

He does not ask us to provide what could never suffice

But simply beckons us to trust His forgiveness by grace

If we confess our sins His justice will our guilt erase

If we confess our sins His justice will our guilt erase

Oh God forgive us if some lesser god should take Your place

You lead us, not into temptation, You are our Shield

You repeal condemnation as by Your stripes we are healed

You repeal condemnation as by Your stripes we are healed

Hope’s open invitation rolls across earth’s Harvest Field

While Death is like a reaper’s blade a-swinging to and fro

And joy is knowing Jesus paid the debt we should yet owe

© Janet Martin

One more fav hymn by George Jones

How Beautiful Heaven Must Be

Above The Call of Duty...

Today's visitation is the fourth one I am attending this month

some of the deceased young, some old.

...reminding us that we are all mortal

and Death is no respecter of age!

However, though Death is sometimes called The Grim Reaper

our prospects for eternity are not grim unless we have

rejected He who hung upon the tree to set us free

from the curse that damns the immortal soul...

The soul transcends dust and ash,

and whether we gaze at a body in a coffin

or a photo on a table the Immortal Soul

is the unthwartable, invisible imprint

of our Creator in us!

Our message this past Sunday

challenged all of us, if true believers 

to share the gospel, the Good News of Salvation,

our Living Hope, at every opportunity!

1 Pet.1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! 

In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope

 through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,

but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Cor.1:18

Rescue The Perishing

 

It Was Finished upon That Cross- CityAlight

 

My Worth Is Not In What I Own

Above the call of duty that demands our diligence

Beneath the ever-ebbing surge of season’s recompense

No matter what exacts the task whereby toil takes its toll

Above the call of duty is the Call that saves the soul

Like flesh-and-blood-tsunamis generations rise and fall

God, who is man’s Creator knows the hearts of one and all

And loves us so He gave His Son to pay sin’s awful price

The Author of Salvation provided the sacrifice

…so that we need not perish; there is power in the blood

Where I AM’s flawless crucible poured out redemption’s flood

Where pray, the faith that makes us whole ignites the Living Word

So we proclaim the living hope of Jesus Christ our Lord

His righteousness within us is the power of the cross

For there is no one righteous without Him; all gain is loss

Where some still count as foolishness, the message we applaud

But to those who are being saved it is the pow’r of God

Above the call of occupation’s menial decree

Beneath the ever-waning gap before eternity

The faith that saves the soul and sets us free becomes the cord

That binds us to the urgent call of Jesus Christ, our Lord

© Janet Martin

Will You Believe?

  PAD Challenge 27:

For this Two-for-Tuesday prompt:

Write a believe poem and/or...

Write a don't believe poem.

John 14:27

John 16:33

This world

will wound

And disappoint

And betray

And pretend

But I 

will bind

Grief’s gap

-ing groans

And be 

Your 

Faithful 

Friend

This world 

will pass 

away;

This life 

on earth

Ephemeral

But I AM 

Alpha

and 

Omega

I AM 

Eternal

This world 

at best

Brings out 

the worst

In mortal’s 

sin-cursed 

glove

But I 

transform

Fear, 

doubt,

and hate,

Into 

faith, 

hope 

and love

This world 

is chaotic 

and cruel

with wars 

that will not 

cease

I AM gentle

patient 

and kind

I AM

Your perfect

peace

This world

makes promises

that it 

cannot keep

or control

I AM

the Word, 

Way,

 Truth 

and Life

the Daddy

of your

Soul

Will you 

embrace 

this world's 

illusions; 

trust death's 

loveless 

lies 

Or will 

you believe

 and receive

 life's

 everlasting

 Prize?

Love, God

© Janet Martin

Compact Version😊

This world will wound and disappoint and betray and pretend

But I will bind grief’s gaping groans and be your Faithful Friend

This world will pass away; This life on earth Ephemeral

But I AM Alpha and Omega; I AM Eternal

This world at best brings out the worst in mortal’s sin-cursed glove

But I transform fear, doubt and hate into faith, hope and love

This world is chaotic and cruel with wars that will not cease

I AM gentle, patient and kind; I AM your perfect peace

This world makes promises that it cannot keep or control

I AM the Word, Way, Truth and Life, the Daddy of Your soul

Will you embrace this world's illusions; trust death's loveless lies 

Or will you believe and receive life's everlasting Prize?

Love, God 

 © Janet Martin

John 1:12

But as many as received Him, 

to them He gave the right to become children of God, 

to those who believe in His name:

Thou Wilt Keep Him in Perfect Peace

Hope

PAD Challenge day 2: For today's prompt, I want you to answer the question, 

"What does the future hold?"

 Then, make your answer the title of your poem and write your poem.

It all 

boils down 

to this;

Where we

 are, God

 also IS. His

 Promises 

will still 

abide

No matter what time may betide, No matter what people may doubt, 

Each breath we take is not without permission from the one 

who gives 

the first 

breath 

whereby 

mortal 

lives

so it all

boils 

down

to This

Where

we are 

Hope

Also

Forever

IS

Before the mountains were born 

or you brought forth the whole world,

 from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

Psalm 90:2

To God Be The Glory Forever

 To God Be The Glory

To God be the glory

He did not withhold

The wonderful story

The cross would unfold

From death’s scene, so gory

From grief’s gloomy knell

Christ rose in victory

Over death and hell

To God be the glory

Death did not prevail

For sinners so sorry

His blood will not fail

Faithful to the finish

He suffered the cost

Nothing could diminish

His love for the lost

To God be the Glory

His beloved Son

Fulfilled His Love Story

With ‘Thy will be done’

Knowing Mercy’s offer

Would make scoffers laugh

Yet willing to suffer

On scorner’s behalf

To God be the glory

Whatever we face

Is not without mercy

From love’s nail-scarred grace

Whatever the sorrow

We must suffer through

To God be the glory

For He suffered too

To God be the glory

All who have believed

Will share in the Victory

That Jesus achieved

Through Redemption’s story

Of Never Again

To God be the glory

Forever, amen

© Janet Martin

Come To Jesus

 Come to Jesus - Chris Rice

One scandal after another after another...

One we are all a part of; Sin

We all need Jesus

for there is no one righteous, no, not one

So when they continued asking him, 

he lifted up himself, and said unto them, 

He that is without sin among you,

let him first cast a stone at her.

John 8:7

Matthew 1:21
She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, 

because He will save His people from their sins."

Acts 4:12

Salvation is found in no one else, 

for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind 

by which we must be saved."

Come to Jesus, 

Full forgiveness 

Waits the sinner to immerse 

Come to Jesus 

He releases 

Condemnation’s 

Woeful curse 

What is man 

But bent and broken 

‘neath a debt of guilt and shame 

Come to Jesus 

Mercy frees us 

There is hope in Jesus’ Name 

Come to Jesus 

Heavy-laden 

Come to love that will not fail 

Lay down dread 

And regret’s burden 

Death and hell will not prevail 

Let the rivers 

Of salvation 

In scarlet redemption flow 

There is no more 

Condemnation 

To sinner’s washed white as snow 

Come to Jesus 

He receives us 

Without prejudice and blame 

Come to Jesus 

Trust His promise 

‘to pardon is why He came’ 

Do not let the 

Lies of evil 

Keep you bound by doubt’s dark hour 

This is but 

The blight of Eden 

Seeking who he may devour 

Come to Jesus 

Rock of ages 

Anchoring the storm-tossed Soul

Come to Jesus 

He will save us 

Only faith can make us whole 

© Janet Martin 

What A Love!

 

Today, for some Christians, Lent begins.

This meditation is a reflection

to remind us we give

because
we have been given!

How does one select only one,

from a vast collection of amazing renditions of this song; 

Amazing Grace

Redemption, what a word 

Released from a debt we incurred 

Forgiveness signed by blood of He 

Who authored sky and sod and sea 

And died upon a cross for us 

Redeemed from sin by Him, Jesus 

Salvation, what a gift 

Divine atonement spans the rift 

That began when Adam and Eve 

Were ripe and ready to deceive 

When doubting God, they ate the fruit 

That He forbade, and sin took root 

Grace, mercy’s uttermost 

Saved, not by works lest any boast 

But for man’s universal Fall 

He sealed our pardon once for all 

And will our every sin forgive 

To all who repent, look, and live 

Hope, what a glorious goal

Awaits faith's death-victorious soul

No one can add or take away

What Christ accomplished on that day

When from death to life He arose

Triumphant over Eden's woes

Jehovah, what a God 

Demons tremble and saints applaud 

He who is coming back again 

But not even angels know when 

We will behold heavens ablaze 

With Son of Man, Ancient of Days 

© Janet Martin 

Someday, Forevermore or Bond of Freedom

(for we who share the bond of freedom in Christ)

For now we are apart but someday

worshippers will sing together forever and ever!

This first song is very fitting for the times we are in

(worth the while to read the translation)

Simon & Max Khorolskiy - Не грусти, не рыдай

FILL MY CUP, LORD | THE LIVING STONES QUARTET

 

Glorify Thy Name

 

1 Thess.4:16-18

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, 

with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, 

and the dead in Christ will rise first. 

After that, we who are still alive and are left 

will be caught up together with them 

in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 

And so we will be with the Lord forever. 

Therefore encourage one another with these words.

From sea to sea and shore to shore we who believe are bound 

By a sweet and communal cord of common, holy ground 

The blood that washes sinners clean and sets the cursed soul free 

Is Mercy’s universal vein that binds God’s family 

Salvation, wrought through Jesus Christ is our saving faith 

His death, to pay the debtor’s price no offering could erase 

For blood of bulls and rams could not atone and justify 

Only a Perfect Lamb, the Son of God could satisfy 

And by His outpoured blood we are unified far and wide 

To be the family of God; His pure and spotless bride 

Not by our works (lest we would boast) but by the grace of He 

Who gave his uttermost upon the cross of Calvary 

From sea to sea and shore to shore, while onward ages roll 

A beautiful, mutual yoke binds soul to soul to soul 

Of we who are freed from death’s sting through He came to save 

Because He died and rose again, Christ has conquered the grave 

Jesus fulfilled salvation’s plan, His name above all names 

Has given to the soul of man, hope, without guilt’s past claims 

Redemption is the joy we share, His love the song we sing 

In universal praise and prayer to Jesus Christ our King 

© Janet Martin 

Hope Is Life's Highway to Heaven...

Altar after altar after altar

Sacrifice after sacrifice after sacrifice

every morning and night 

day after day after day

week after week after week

 year after year after year

decade after decade

to pay for the sins of the people

and to remind them 

of the mercy and grace of God

until One Day 

One Sacrifice

Once 

For All!

Listen to Sunday Service Dec. 27 minutes 39-41 

 to hear the above thoughts spoken of so wonderfully!

Listen to the whole message to hear 

 the Greatest Story of profound love

authoring Living Hope!

Hope is life’s highway to Heaven 

Hope is joy through sorrows met 

By the Promise God has given 

As the Temple-veil was riven 

And the sins of man forgiven 

By His Son who paid our debt 

Hope is life’s exceeding glory 

Nothing annuls Calvary 

Though its bloody scene is gory 

For our state so mean and sorry 

Love suffered Redemption’s Story 

And authored Hope’s Surety 

Hope is mankind’s consolation 

In a world so full of loss 

For the sake of soul’s salvation 

The Lord and God of creation 

Did not doom us to damnation 

But broke sin’s curse on the cross 

Hope is life’s breathtaking beauty 

King of king’s humility 

Bore more than a ‘tour of duty’ 

He beheld our hopeless pity 

Then secured, through death, the Vict’ry 

That grants life eternally 

Hope is not a fickle feather 

Dangling on a chain of whim 

Hope is the unfailing tether 

That by faith will help us weather 

Time, until we altogether 

Look upon love’s scars and Him 

© Janet Martin 

Tell Me The Old, Old Story

A Poem of Hope

This morning our message was based on this passage, 

spoken over seven-hundred years before it was fulfilled and the

 'Child was born and The Son Was Given'.

Isa.9:2-7

The people walking in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness

a light has dawned.

3You have enlarged the nation

and increased their joy;

they rejoice before you

as people rejoice at the harvest,

as warriors rejoice

when dividing the plunder.

4For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,

you have shattered

the yoke that burdens them,

the bar across their shoulders,

the rod of their oppressor.

5Every warrior’s boot used in battle

and every garment rolled in blood

will be destined for burning,

will be fuel for the fire.

6For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7Of the greatness of his government and peace

there will be no end.

Tonight's dark headlines threaten to draw our hearts

from Hope as we fear what the impact of another lockdown

will do to livelihoods, mental health etc!

So MUCH uncertainty but isn't this when we turn to One who is Certain?

Open His Word tonight and dwell on His promises

and Who He IS!

A few weeks ago we had a message on what the Nativity really looks like!

Because Jesus was/is God's love in human form!!!

If you are sad tonight will you let this picture comfort you?

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! Repeat the Name above all names

He is our comfort and Joy because He IS all the above!

I was so overcome with discouragement tonight!

As I remembered what our pastor encouraged us to do this morning

'To look unto the Child that was born, the Son that was given'

as I whispered His name over and over 

He whispered sweet peace to me!

Dark the deadweight of derision 

Where woe’s warring words assail 

Where we, weary of oppression 

All need Love, Who will not fail 

Hope, when plans and dreams diminish 

Will not deceive or refute 

Though we cannot see its finish 

Hope clings to Love’s Absolute 

Once upon a world so broken 

To the people so forlorn 

Hope, through Isaiah was spoken 

‘Unto us a child is born’ 

Long before hope became human 

A King’s coming was foretold 

Now we wait to see fulfillment 

Just as they, in days of old 

The Prince of Peace is returning 

Do not let headlines despair 

But let hearts grow wild with yearning 

For a Better World somewhere 

While this world grows dark with hating 

Let love’s faithful message bring 

Peace to hearts of faith, now waiting

For the return of our King 

© Janet Martin 

Approaching Advent...

Your eyes saw my unformed body; 

 all the days ordained for me were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:16

Is there Room in your Heart?

(one of my favorite advent hymns!)

All the World Awaits...

Miracle of Love

No matter what we dread or fear, crave or anticipate 

Or hate or love, or wish or wonder or doubt or debate 

No matter what we have and hold or lose, bind or set free 

All of our days were written down before one came to be 

Naked we came into this world; naked we will return 

No matter what we boast or brave or crave or learn or earn 

Each morn, like a banner unfurled, advances certainly 

The Doorway to another world beyond the one we see 

No matter what or how or where one thing we cannot change 

The One who saw us ere we were and nothing can estrange 

No matter who we think we are, we are his workmanship 

Created for good works in He who will aid and equip 

He saves us by his grace, not works, lest anyone should boast 

Without faith it is impossible to please Love’s Uttermost 

No matter where life takes us it is no surprise to He 

Who ordained all our days before one of them came to be 

For we who have believed (ah, mortal’s most wonderful state) 

Do not despair but look beyond earth’s grave-studded dirt-gate 

To Bethlehem, to Calvary, to Triumph’s empty tomb 

To He who knew us when we were still in our mother’s womb 

© Janet Martin 

Does His Name, the Name of Jesus...

It's not too early, is it...

to turn our eyes toward Bethlehem?

Behold Him (Official Lyric Video) - Paul Baloche ft. Kim Walker-Smith

 

Immanuel (From The Squalor of a Borrowed Stable)

Does His name, the name of Jesus stir a love song in Thy soul 

Does He melt the mountain-shadows from landscapes beyond control 

Does He thrill and fill with wonder the eternal child within 

Does He satisfy heart-hunger when we fix our gaze on Him? 

Does His Name, the name of Jesus calm the waves of doubt and fear 

Do You feel Him right beside you in the trench of Now and Here 

When the darkness starts to thicken and threatens to snuff hope’s flame 

Tell me then, does your pulse quicken at the mention of his Name 

Does His name, the name of Jesus draw you back to Bethlehem 

Have you peered into the manger like the shepherds way back when 

Have you followed with the masses through the streets, or climbed a tree 

Have you knelt and wept with sorrow at the cross of Calvary? 

Does His name, the name of Jesus take you to an empty tomb 

Where a Rock would never deter or detain Heaven’s Bridegroom 

Does His name, the name of Jesus as trouble and strife increase 

Fill thy vessel in the tempest with an everlasting peace 

© Janet Martin 

Journey to Deeper Love and Gratitude

The older I get the more real and dear this cry of David becomes:

Psalm 130:1-4

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;

2 Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears be attentive

to my cry for mercy.

3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,

Lord, who could stand?

4 But with you there is forgiveness,

so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

Give Me Jesus 

Life can be mean when left to means that seem to make first-impulse-sense 

When we react without weighing the impact of the consequence 

We tend to think after the chink in faulty armour is exposed 

Rather than first examine best and worst outcome scenarios 

To test the measure of time’s treasure that slips through us breath by breath 

Is an awak’ning undertaking that could scare us half to death 

Because the laws of cause and effect are not tricked by time or rank 

Where the reaping is in keeping with the kind of seeds we plant 

To think that we can wink at wisdom and somehow not pay the price 

Or that desire is no liar when it ignores sound advice 

Is but to play the fool most truly no matter how cool it seems 

For consequence compensates duly what conscience and choice esteems 

If God kept tally of our folly who could stand and who could pay 

But to repentance he grants pardon and His strength to face the day 

Love incomparable makes bearable the harvest, not subdued 

Obedience, the evidence of love and humble gratitude 

© Janet Martin