Forward and Up...or, Till Face-to-Face, Faith Sees!

John 8:36

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

A new week, a new day, not to travel backwards but forward and up...

by the grace of God!

Forward and up, Lord, help us look

Not back, disheartened by regret

When we faith’s fealty forsook

By foolish desire beset

When, disregarding Thy commands

To love Thee first, then fellowman

We sought the strength of our own hands

Rather than Thy purpose and plan

Forward and up, Lord, help us press

As we, Calvary’s quest recall

The purchase-price of forgiveness;

You gave Your life to ransom all

You give Your everlasting Word

To be an undefeated Light

In a world where logic is blurred

By sensuality and sight

Forward and up, Lord, help us face

Today, unhampered by regret

But humbled by Thy gift of grace

Salvation from sin’s binding debt

And truth no liar can annul

Where love and mercy intercede

Forgiveness, not in part, but full

‘Whom Thou sets free is free indeed’

Forward and up, Lord, help us look

With hope and joy unspeakable

Because at Calvary you took

Our place, and paid sin’s debt in full

This is no fickle faith we boast

No fleeting Prize we press toward

Or defend to the uttermost

Forward and up to Thee, oh Lord

Forward and up, without eyes glued

To that which has been done away 

Forward and up; mercy-renewed

Anoints each virgin break of day

Forward and up with awestruck praise  

For love beyond our wildest ken 

Forward and up, with steadfast gaze 

Till face-to-face faith sees! 

Amen. 

Janet Martin

Psalm 16:8

I have set the LORD always before me. 

Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Psalm 119:37

Turn my eyes away from worthless things;

 revive me with Your word.

2 Corinthians 4:18

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.

 For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Matthew 6:22-23

The eye is the lamp of the body.

 If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 

 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. 

If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Prayer For Dads on Father's Day For Every Day

Happy Father's Day!

For all the dad jokes, and jokes at dad's expense 

most dads I think would agree, being a dad is no joke!!

It's often hard and always holy!

Today many in our community's hearts and prayers are with the dad(and mother)

who lost five children in a terrible traffic collision, and laid them to rest yesterday.

Today we also think of the families who have bid farewell on earth to precious dad.

And today we think of our dear dads still with us and say

 'thank-you for all you do! and we love you!!'

My dad...

My children's dad...

My grandchildren's dad...

Dear Father in Heaven, I pray

For fathers far and wide today 

That you would grant them strength to bear

Love's worthy weight of constant care

That You would kindle in their hearts 

 Faith, for what fatherhood imparts;

A call You crown with holy due

Until their life on earth is through

Dear Lord, a father’s charge would be

A grim responsibility

Of bread to win and bills to pay

And teaching children to obey

Without Your word to cheer and bless

Without home's humble happiness

Without hugs, kisses, prayers and such

From those for whom they give so much

 

Heavenly Father, You are kind

Then pray each earthly dad may find

Prayers for kindness and patience met

Aware of examples they set

Help them, through grace and love to show

Each child the way they ought to go

Provide wisdom and courage when

Training morrow’s women and men

Dear Father in Heaven, I pray

For fathers young and old today

That, as You faithfully supply

Their needs as days and years go by

That they would reap the rich reward

Of honour for their lives outpoured 

Without reserve and willingly 

For love of God and family 

Lord, through the power of Your Word

Keep love's diligence undeterred

And through the goodness of Your grace

Equip them for all they must face

And through Your love's priority

Help them to love their family

Lest we forget, remind us to

Say 'thank-you Dad' and ' I love you' 

Janet Martin

As a father has compassion on his children, 

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him. 

Psalm 103:13

Train up a child in the way he should go,

 and when he is old, he will not depart from it. 

 Proverbs 22:6

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, 

but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 

 Ephesians 6:4

As We, Want's Cases Plead

Lord, where we err

 in our thinking, 

teaching, serving, 

seeking, worshipping, 

reveal it unto us!

Lord, wherever

 and in whatever circumstance

 we find ourselves today, 

you care for us!

Lord, a deeper fear 

and thus love for thee, 

work in us

Thou, Holiest of holies 

and Best of the best

***

Romans 8:17
And if we are children, then we are heirs: 

heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—

if indeed we suffer with Him, 

so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Philippians 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ 

not only to believe in Him,

 but also to suffer for Him,

James 1:2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, 

when you encounter trials of many kinds, 

because you know that the testing of your faith

 develops perseverance.

Acts 5:41

So they departed from the presence of the council, 

rejoicing that they were counted worthy

 to suffer shame for His name.

A bud is but the waiting room

of the unfolded Flower...

A prayer is like a bud; it's bloom 

awaits its perfect hour

Last week my neighbor-tots eagerly bent over buds

While I reminded them; 'no picking!'

Yesterday they 'visited' me while I was working.

suddenly shrieks of delight were heard!

The buds had turned into flowers!

Oft we want answered prayer

Without full-yielded hearts

In our logic, oft we err

Where trust its test imparts

Oft we want finest fruits

Without Love's pruning rod

 To tear away at sinful roots/shoots

That choke the Word of God 

Oft we defend the cure

Without probing the cause

Until motive is wholly pure

Without self-serving flaws/clause

Oft we want faith's reward

Without faith's suffering

As witnesses for Christ, out-poured

Like a drink-offering 

Lord, show us where we err

As we, Want's cases plead

Teach us to trust as you prepare

Faith's fallow ground, for seed  

Janet Martin

Philippians 2:17
But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering

 on the sacrifice and service of your faith, 

I am glad and rejoice with all of you.

Confession ... A Prayer

Sometimes in human-natured hasty expectation of God

 I overlook/ forget about the scale that would find me wanting,

but for the saving grace of Christ through his shed blood!

My Want grows impatient, rather than filled with humble joy

 established and enriched through faithful fellowship with God, 

whose timing and purpose does not fail.

Forgive me Lord, when I want the answer to my prayer

rather than You!

Any relationship we have is only as healthy as the time we put into it!

This is esp. true in our relationship with our Heavenly Father.

Ps.103:13-14

As a father has compassion on his children,

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

For He knows our frame;

He is mindful that we are dust.

Ps.130:3-4

If You, O LORD, kept track of iniquities,

then who, O Lord, could stand?

But with You there is forgiveness,

so that You may be feared.

Sweet Hour of Prayer with Lyrics by Alan Jackson

Forgive me, Lord, when I complain and do not worship as I ought

Forgetful of salvation’s gain through my atonement Thy death wrought

Forgive me when I fault Thy grace; Thou does not force obedience

Nor does Thy perfect love erase the intercourse of consequence

Forgive me when I shake thought’s fist rather than in repentance, bow

Before Thee, who cradles the mist of mortal days in mercy’s vow

Forgive me when I nurse my pride, wounded by Want, sadly misplaced

Enough, Thy love that doth abide and hath my debt of guilt erased

Forgive my proneness to delight, not in faith’s knowledge, but in sight

Thy armour fits me for the fight; forgive me when I shirk its might

Choosing to be the naked prey of the Tempter; easily stirred

By cunning craft that leads astray the heart, unguarded by Thy Word

Forgive me, when indulgence, rude, seizes Thy gifts most greedily

Without a thought of gratitude, or awe that thou remem’brest me

That every good and perfect gift comes from Thy goodness-mercy-love

Thy salvation bridges hope’s rift that else would impassable, prove

Forgive me when I fail to tell Thee of my delight in Thy law

And love that seals the gates of hell; this ought to kindle endless awe

Forgive me when I rush ahead of the purpose Thou hast in store

Lord, help me wait on Thee instead and learn to trust Thee more and more

Thy grace is sufficient for me; no need transcends Thy able will

When doubt deters humility, and bids me haste, help me be still

And know that Thou art God alone and what Thou hast said thou wilt do

Forgive me then, when I bemoan the fires faith must journey through

When I am weak then Thou art strong; forgive me Lord, when I neglect

To sing, seeking a sweeter song than hymns Self does not interject

I love Thee, Lord, for Thou dost know that I am dust and doth forgive

My sins and will ever bestow forgiveness as long as I live

Thy love is unwavering, Lord; Thy sacred holiness is too

This is no frivolous reward that waits for faith that remains true

Forgive me Lord, when, with face pressed against Time's darksome glass between

I fail to simply, sweetly rest in Evidence of things unseen 

Janet Martin

Amos Raber - I Just Steal Away and Pray (Official Music Video)

A Monday Morning Prayer (to rekindle Sunday Morning's Flare)

Ps.90:14

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,

that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

A prayer to rekindle the flare/flame

that leaps in our bosom while sitting in a Sunday morning service

beneath the glorious sound of the gospel, and the praising of God's Name

 but that Monday morning can quickly snuff with 'stuff' 

if we do not guard the hearth of the heart! 

It is a wet but warmer (at last) morning in Ontario...

'Stuff' to do is good and healthy! as long as we keep a holy/eternal perspective...

Lord, help us as we seek the truths Thy holy word imparts

Lest hope and exhortation ring hollow in ears and hearts

In all our ways, pray we submit to Thee with humble trust

Thou art full of compassion for Thou knowest we are dust

Lord, lead us as we strive to enter at the narrow gate

The broad way hosts those who choose to walk by sight, not by faith

Remind us of the treasure that we have in jars of clay

Then order our steps that we may delight in Thy way

Lord, cheer, rebuke, convict, constrain, according to Thy Word

And help us give more earnest heed to the things we have heard

To tune us to pitfalls and snares where wish and want can be

Constant with cares that keep our minds from being stayed on Thee

Lord, lead us not into temptation but deliver us

From evil; where a world of reasons bids us fret and fuss

But Thy surpassing power is eternal and enough

You comfort us from wellsprings of goodness, mercy and love

Lord, try all lesser boasts until our boast is Christ alone

Until our goal is serving/praising Thee for kindness Thou hast shown

At Calvary; Lord, then let us take up faith’s cross with joy

For grace that Thou alone supplies and no foe can destroy

Lord, heal us as we kiss Thy wounds whereby our own are healed

And satisfy us with Thy love, where once vain wants appealed

And let thy Spirit shed abroad Thy love in our hearts

So, all may see the light that Thy glory alone imparts

Amen

Janet Martin

In Christ Alone (My Hope Is Found) - Adrienne Liesching | LYRIC VIDEO

Faith's Flawed and Fumbling Plea...

First, a Homefront update! 

Dad was able to come home on Sunday and

mom was released a few days before!

Thank-you for continued prayers for dad to heal from his surgery

and for mom's strength to be restored 🙏💖

if/as the Lord wills!

Heb.11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please Him,

for he who comes to God must believe that He is,

and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

As the morning light melts the night's sky

so the light of God's Word melts shadows of doubt, despair and fear!

Provide, dear Lord, provide

Wisdom, through Thy Word's light

To be a clear and steadfast guide

To steer faith's feet aright

Anoint, dear Lord, anoint

Our hearts and lips with praise

When hopeful dreamlands disappoint

Still let Thy Word amaze

Console, dear Lord, console

When sorrow's tear-seas spill

Where loss of loved one leaves a hole

Only Thy Word can fill

Comfort, Lord, comfort then

Cheer up and undergird

Help us to humbly hope again

Surrendered to Thy Word  

Convict, dear Lord, convict

Where erring will runs wild

Bid conscience be palpably pricked

Through Thy Word to Thy child

Refine, dear Lord, refine

The motive of each plea

Until we utterly resign

Our word and will to Thee

Restore, dear Lord, restore

Love's allegiance to seek 

Thy Word, heart, soul and mind before

Lifetime is left to speak

Attend, dear Lord, attend

Faith's flawed and fumbling plea

Through Thy Word let mercy amend

The prayer that reaches Thee 

Janet Martin

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

Give Me Jesus With Lyrics Artist: Fernando Ortega

 

 

Lord, Teach Us How To Pray...

For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, 

Rom.8:26

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. 

For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, 

but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us 

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Isa.49:15-16

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
    and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;...

Part 2 of the devotion shared yesterday

(Part 1 at the bottom of this post)

Lord, teach us how to pray

To pour our hearts to Thee

Not with easy eloquence, nay

But with humility

Lord, let the fellowship

Twixt branches and the Vine

Be more than sentiment of lip

But worship’s blood-red wine

Lord, teach us to repent

Beneath love’s pruning hook

Until the whole of Self is spent

And each idol forsook

A secret stutter braved

Thou Lord, wilt understand

Thy remembrance of us engraved

In the palm of Thy hand

Better a wordless groan

For Thee to intercede

Than hollow phrases we intone

Lord, Thou knowest our need

…for You behold the heart

Nothing is hid from Thee

The broken and the stubborn part

Unveiled in clarity

How great Thou art, oh Lord

Faithful in every way

Equip us with Thy Spirit’s Sword

And teach us how to pray

Our Father in Heaven

Hallowed be Thy Name

Then teach Thy child by grace forgiv’n

Salvation to proclaim

Lord, convict us of sin

Lord, comfort our grief

Lord, let Thy Word calm storms within

And guard 'gainst unbelief

In Thy Name we pray,

Amen

Janet Martin

Part 1

Lead Me In Paths of Righteousness (For Thy Name's Sake)

What, for you, kindles the cry of the first verse in the chapter below?

The good times or the hard times?

The answered prayers or the unanswered prayers?

Worship or want or need?

Or all the above?

If life's trials and seemingly unanswered prayers

 serve no other purpose than to bid us call upon the Lord,

they have served purpose enough!

Ps. 141:1-4

I call upon You, O LORD; come quickly to me.

Hear my voice when I call to You.

2May my prayer be set before You like incense;

my uplifted hands, like the evening offering.

3Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth;

keep watch at the door of my lips.

4Do not let my heart be drawn to any evil thing

or take part in works of wickedness

with men who do iniquity;

let me not feast on their delicacies...

Read the rest of David's prayer HERE BSB

or HERE NKJV...

Ps.23:3

He restores my soul; 

He leads me in the paths of righteousness 

For His name’s sake.

This prayer began this morning (until Grandsonny arrived)  and ended

while dinner is cooking/baking....

 and darkness is falling, a bit early

because of the falling snow...

Dear Heavenly Father,

Sometimes the snares that seek to veer me from Thy paths of righteousness

Seem not to be as they appear; disguised as 'harmless happiness'

Then, help me give more earnest heed to hide Thy word within my heart

To equip me with Thy sound creed to thwart Deception's subtle dart 

Sometimes life's disappointments stir a hunger nothing satisfies 

Lord, let not sight my walk deter, but keep me fixed upon faith's prize 

And guard me from doubt's shifting sea/plea in a world where skeptics increase  

Lord, help me stay my mind on Thee; thus, keeping me in perfect peace

This world is not my home, oh Lord; keep me from falling prey to goals

Dull to Thy Word's double-edged sword that cuts to the quick of man's souls 

Lead me in paths of righteousness; no matter what the cost may be

For Thy name's sake, direct my step lest I wander away from Thee 

Sometimes what seems unanswered prayers bids me to examine my heart 

To test the spirit of my cares, to study the important part

To see if there is any wicked way in me still unconfessed

That you are searching out to see if it is Thee that I love best 

In Jesus' Name I pray,

Amen

Janet Martin

A Prayer

Prov.22:1-2&4

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,

Loving favor rather than silver and gold.

The rich and the poor have this in common,

The Lord is the maker of them all.

By humility and the fear of the Lord

Are riches and honor and life.

A Prayer to begin this blistery, blustery day in Ontario.

Hold onto your hats!

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord to riches money cannot buy

To wealth the world cannot afford, and lucre cannot satisfy 

Grant me the pleasures of the soul, not flaunted before mortal gaze

But in fond happiness made whole through contentment to sing Thy praise

Mold me through life's hardships with grace to help me trust and thus rejoice

Hold me in Thy nail scarred embrace; open my heart to hear Thy voice

Let the desires of my heart be fashioned by faith, hope and love

Fulfilled with riches You impart and the world can know nothing of

In Jesus' Name I pray

Amen

Janet Martin

Oh may I learn to truly pray like the apostle Paul...

Not that I speak in respect of want;

for I have learned in whatsoever state I am

therewith to be content.

Phil.4:11

Here's My Heart by David Crowder with lyrics

Divine Dialogue

2025 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 13

For the 2025 November PAD Chapbook Challenge, 

poets write a poem a day in the month of November. 

Day 13 is to write a dialogue poem.

The Lord's Prayer (Our Father)

Dear Father up in Heaven

How can I give/live my best?

Just love and look and listen

And let Me do the rest

Dear Author of creation

How can I honour Thee?

Just learn to be more patient

And leave the rest to Me

Dear Lord of my salvation

How can my love reply?

Trust without explanation

And watch Me satisfy

Dear Father up in Heaven

I bow with heart undone

Because I am forgiven

Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son

Dear child, then do not worry

In every word and deed

My Kingdom, pow'r and glory

Grants everything you need

Janet Martin

...and He is before all things,

and by Him all things exist.

Col.1:17

A Birthday Prayer For You, Dear Mother (For Each and Every Day)

 

On Saturday, Lord willing, Mom will

celebrate her 83rd birthday!

Today we gathered for our annual 

daughter-daughter-in-law birthday 'tea' .

The past two years have been so bittersweet as we

miss Lucy at these gettogethers.

The photo below of mom and dad, was taken on Sept. 17,

on Lucy's porch swing.

Mom and dad are getting older and with aging comes new challenges

that require fresh leaps of faith and courage.

With these changes I pray that we (their family) return

in every way we can, the help and sacrifice

they modeled so generously through their whole life! 

A Birthday Prayer for You, Dear Mother

(for each and every day)

May God’s unfailing hope and love

And might and mercy cheer

Each step of faith with His Enough

To calm the storms of fear

May God’s enduring promises

Anoint faith’s earnest prayer

With Very Present Help to bless

And meet each need and care

May God’s sufficient grace increase

As years go by, to gird

Each longing of the soul with peace

And courage through his Word

May God’s abiding Spirit fill

Your heart with comfort true

No matter what befalls, He will

Not fail to care for you

Dear Mother, may God’s goodness bear

And bind you night and day

With joy and peace beyond compare

In Jesus Name I pray

Amen

Rom.15:13

Now the God of hope

fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

that ye may abound in hope,

through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Ps.46:1

God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

Thank-you Lord, For Your Patience

2 Pet.3:9

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, 

as some understand slowness.

 Instead he is patient with you, 

not wanting anyone to perish,

 but everyone to come to repentance.

His mercy is new every morning!

Hallelujah!

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!”

Today's 'poem/prayer' was inspired in part

by *my church family's weekly prayer digest.

The 'adore' section begins with this truth;

God is patient.

The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God,

slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Ex. 34:6

Thank-you Lord, for Your patience with us;

For your patience when we are impatient.

When we are complaining instead of thankful,

When we are selfish instead of generous

When we treat serving like a burden instead of a privilege/blessing

When we are lazy instead of intentional/industrious

When we have good/best intentions without discipline to see them through

When we are worldly instead of holy/carnal instead of spiritual

When we are talking instead of listening

When we are careless instead of careful

When we are willful/stubborn instead of surrendered

When we are blind instead of seeing

When we are doubting instead of trusting

When we are hurrying instead of being still and knowing you are God

When we are worrying instead of worshipping

When we are boasting instead of praising

When we are bitter instead of forgiving

When we are judgmental instead of helpful/prayerful

When we are thoughtless instead of thoughtful

When we are neglectful instead of faithful

When we are hateful or apathetic instead of loving

Thank-you Lord, for your patience with me,

Your daughter, Janet

*Do you have a  'my church family'?

Do you feel loved and supported by a faith-community?

(If not, I am praying that you will find one!)

Do you, in order to feel truly connected with your church family, 

commit to gathering with them every week, (health permitting)

making 'gathering' a priority, over other enticing options?

Lord, convict us where we need convicting.

Correct us where we need correcting.

Forgive us, as we confess.

Encourage us as we endeavor anew to

seek first your Kingdom

'for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory

forever and ever,

Amen.

Take time to be holy

What Matters Most

I turn to Ps.119 over and over

as sorrows, like sea billows roll...

Ps.119:27-28

Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: 

so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

My soul melteth for heaviness:

strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

This past weekend we received word of tragedy after tragedy on our highways!

Close to home three girls (ages 14, 6 & 4) have lost their parents

(my daughter's neighbour's/friends)

The school my brother teaches at lost a student in another accident.

A man from our church family lost his sister and her husband in yet another accident.

(and these tragedies mentioned are only the ones with personal ties. There were more!!)

Please lift the community up in prayer (esp. the orphaned children!)

And those on the other side of each of these accidents 

where another whole community of families and loved ones suffer

because life as they knew it has been shattered!! 

This is the second neighbour/friend my daughter has lost suddenly

a little over a month apart!

Please pray for Emily and her husband Rob,

 as they continue to support the other family as well!

 

Oh, how harsh seem the various trials we encounter

yet without them how would our faith mature/grow?!

James 1:2-4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers,

when you encounter trials of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith

develops perseverance.

Allow perseverance to finish its work,

so that you may be mature and complete,

not lacking anything.

Oh Lord, we cannot know Thy thoughts

The way Thy mercies move

Are through the trials life allots

Thy faithfulness to prove

Oh Lord, we cannot comprehend

Thy plans Thy love empow'rs

As high as heavens o'er earth ascend

Are Thy ways above ours

Oh Lord, without faith and hope tried

We would grow proud and boast

And forget Thee in our pride

Then miss what matters most

Oh Lord, restore our hearts to Thee

To trust Thy perfect will

Through Thy Word let our comfort be

The power/precepts You instill

Janet 💔🙏

We sang the song It Is Well With My Soul at my sister's funeral a little over a year ago...

(When it is well with our souls, what matters most is well!

Hallelujah!)

It Is Well With My Soul

 

Till the Storm Passes By

I Set My Hope on Jesus