Let's Get Real!

PAD Challenge day 20: For today’s prompt, write a light poem.

 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. 

Instead, they set it on a lamp-stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

 In the same way, let your light shine before others, 

that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matt.5:15-16

This monument in the Port of Sydney, struck a powerful chord when we visited last year.

Let's pray for passion to reach and help the needy in the chilling storms of life!

None of us can do it all but all of us can do something!

this photo was taken at the Sydney Merchant Mariner's Memorial.

Yes. Let’s get real. The way we feel should strike a kindred cord

For we all bear the brunt of love and longing’s two-edged sword

Then let’s be honest with each other; that which disappears

Hones and reshapes us with the carving knife of days and years

Where what we hold of moment gold soon falls prey to past’s knell

(For He who gives has the authority to take as well)

Then let’s get real and focus on the way we ought to live

And recognize that what we have God lent to us to give

For we are called to love each other and make this our aim

To shine the Light of Him through us and glorify His name

Yes. Let’s get real where Want’s appeal is never satisfied

Let’s lay up treasure far beyond this frond of dust and pride

Let’s make it our mission to focus on love’s reply

And pray to God to help us when our longing runs awry

Where we are altogether first-time travelers of Time

And none of us can see beyond this Very Present Clime/climb

Where pray then, all together, tethered by hope’s heart and soul

Let’s live to help each other as we press toward The Goal

For we are called to shine our light through good deeds, Self-denied

So that our Father up in Heaven may be glorified

© Janet Martin

Meeting Place

Meets me with a calm unspoken

When the calm of life is broken

When my faith feels crowned with care

Meets me in a tear, a prayer

Meets me with his words unaltered

When my wanting whispers faltered

When the onward way is dim

Meets me if I look for Him

© Janet Martin

 John 14:17

...that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, 

because it does not see Him or know Him, 

but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.

Let's Just Be Friends...

“A new command I give you: Love one another. 

As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, 

if you love one another.”

John 13:34-35

 These two youngsters are still learning the art of friendship; 

one minute its hug-you love, the next its hit-and-shove.

But they are babies and simply 'acting their age'

I've seen similar 'action' whether in body or language 

from we who are 'old enough to know better!'

 

...for there is always more to It Than that which meets the eye

Where judgment’s quick analysis cannot the full descry

So before we ignore the More that Mercy’s love defends

Let’s put our arms around each other and let’s just be friends

Let he or she who has not sinned be bold enough to stand

Aha! See there is no one who is fit to raise a hand

For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God

Then let’s not be so quick to shed a fellow-trav’ler’s blood

Let’s just be friends and then instead of condemnation’s slight

The love of God in us will fit us for life's soul-full fight

Instead of fist-a-cuff His love will change hearts, hard and blind

And turn fear into courage because words are soft and kind

© Janet Martin

inspired by a moment yesterday when I oh, so dearly wish I would have kept my mouth shut!

Do Something

Do something; time’s free moments run through our fingertips

Today is like a threshing-floor through which its measure slips

Pray when The Hand that grants our portion of life’s love-learn-laugh

Sifts the harvest of our lives He will find more than chaff

Do something, while the morning sun climbs into the noon sky

While there is still today, do something more than serving ‘I’

Before the dust has settled on another nevermore

Do something that will ring the bells of joy on heaven’s shore

Do something; God knows the intentions of a human heart

And He expects no less than this; that we would do our part

No deed or gift will be too small if rendered in His name

And no excuse will satisfy God if we decline Him

© Janet Martin

 If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?

James 2:16

…but do something, urges Deidra, at the end of this post

where she provides links to answer our questions of how, what, where

we can help in the refugee crisis.

Let’s be real. Two things that cross miles readily

Are our dollars and our prayers!

But What Can We Really Do To Help?

image source

But what can we really do that would help, asked Jim when we were talking about the crisis a few minutes ago…

I don’t know, I said, 

but what if we all looked into the mirrors and asked ourselves…

What can I do to help?

What if,

After our eyes were opened

Our ears heard their cries

And we would open

Our doors,

Wallets,

Arms,

Spare-bed-rooms,

Jars of food,

What if we stretched out our dining-room tables

And cried

‘Come, eat’

What if we did with less

So they could have more?

What if we became uncomfortable

To bring them comfort?

Instead of reaching for our phones

What if we all reached out?

Instead of saying ‘I wish’

What if we said ‘I will’

What if we were serious when we ask

‘But what can I do’

And we would pray as if their lives

Depended upon it?

© Janet Martin

This article by Deidra Riggs at High Calling is very helpful in helping us who are asking 'how can I help?'