An Advent Reveille

 

Sometimes when daybreak kindles the eastward horizon

in flaming appeal, (like yesterday morning!!) 

it rushes the air like a celestial reveille,

beckoning us to rise and 'shine' !

Do not grow weary in love’s dues bearing eternal worth

Continue to tell the Good News of the Messiah’s birth

Continue to proclaim the Name, commanding prophecy

Tell the world of Jesus who came to set sin’s captive free

The ‘last days’ prophets long foretold, on that first Christmas morn

Began to fulfill and unfold when Jesus Christ was born

Jesus, knowing the dreadful price of His sinless blood shed

Came to become sin’s final sacrifice and crush Death’s head

Then pray, do not cease to proclaim He who conquered the grave

Salvation knows no other Name; Jesus, mighty to save

Stepped from His divine station to suffer redemption’s rod

To be the hope of nations, to fulfill the will of God

Then do not faint, but hail the Name of Jesus every morn

Good tidings of great joy proclaim; a Savior has been born

For God so loves the world, He gave His only Son to be

Sin’s off’ring once for all, to save and set condemned souls free

Joy to the world, the Prince of Peace is trustworthy and true

Someday the wars of earth will cease and all will be made new

Till then, continue to proclaim the angel’s hymn. Extol

The Good News; JESUS is His Name, the Savior of the soul

Janet Martin

Acts 3:18-26

But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, 

that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 

19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out,

 so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 

20 and that He may send [c]Jesus Christ, who was [d]preached to you before, 

21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, 

which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since [e]the world began. 

22 For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you

 a Prophet like me from your brethren. 

Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. 

23 And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet 

shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ 

24 Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, 

as many as have spoken, have also [f]foretold these days. 

25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers,

 saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ 

26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, 

sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”

The Hand That Gently Draws Night's Veil...

Happy first day of the final week of November 2025!!

(can you believe it?!!)

Ps.145:17-18

The LORD is righteous in all His ways

and kind in all His deeds.

The LORD is near to all who call on Him,

to all who call out to Him in truth.

The Hand that gently draws night’s veil from welkin windows dimmed at dusk

Sustains redemption’s gleaming grail; shadows recede and morning breaks

Where what is done none can undo and what yet waits is beyond us

But what Today grants me and you are mercies renewed for our sakes

The Hand that none can circumvent delivers us from night’s dark hues

Where today’s laughter and lament are waiting to cheer and dismay

This is the day the Lord has made; we give account for how we use

Its fleeting moment-promenade falling like stars soon swept away

The Hand that none can see sustains preordained grants of joy and grief

Beyond reason Logic explains, God orchestrates love’s perfect will

Where what we see and understand are not enough to gauge belief

Behold! God’s goodness sweeps the land in grand persuasion to Be Still

The Hand that leads us if we ask and calms the tempest if we trust

Will help us in each humble task, will keep us in His faithful care

Will hold us in faith’s holy fight, will shepherd stray-prone wanderlust

Will shield us from pitfalls of sight and guard us from the Tempter’s snare

The Hand that gently draws night’s veil from nocturne-nestled countryside

Presides with love that does not fail regardless of perception’s wreath

Where what we want He will appraise and what we need He will provide

As morning breaks and Mercy lays His Hand above, beside, beneath

Janet Martin

Heb.13:20-21

Now may the God of peace, 

who through the blood 

of the eternal covenant 

brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, 

that great Shepherd of the sheep,

 21equip you with every good thingc 

to do His will. 

And may He accomplish in usd 

what is pleasing in His sight 

through Jesus Christ, 

to whom be glory forever and ever. 

Amen.

This Life Is Not Carefree

1 Pet.5:6-9 NIV

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, 

that he may lift you up in due time. 

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. 

Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion

 looking for someone to devour. 

9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, 

because you know that the family of believers

 throughout the world

 is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Any good we receive,

Any good we give

Is possible only

because of God's faithful goodness first!

Ps. 119:67-72

Before I was afflicted I went astray,

But now I keep Your word.

You are good, and do good;

Teach me Your statutes.

The proud have forged[k] a lie against me,

But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.

Their heart is [l]as fat as grease,

But I delight in Your law.

It is good for me that I have been afflicted,

That I may learn Your statutes.

The law of Your mouth is better to me

Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.

Between what was, and waits

Today unfolds faith’s due

Where joys and sorrows rush dawn's gates

Where trial’s tests pursue...

This life is not carefree

Beneath Refinement’s rod

Happiness grants no guarantee

Unless/until we trust in/yield to God

Between what was, and waits

Today unfolds faith’s due

Where joys and sorrows rush dawn's gates

Where trial’s tests pursue

God, in each hour of need

Attends humility

He grants us power to proceed

Where life is not carefree

So then, press on, assured

For we are not alone

As we face cares not yet endured

And battles not yet won

If God is on our side

Defeat will not prevail

For He is near; his truths abide

His purpose will not fail

His loving kindness hears

Devotion’s agony

Beneath refinement’s rod appears

An angel of mercy

…and faith is overjoyed

What God deigns, we will do

As we, cast down but not destroyed

Faith and courage renew

For life is not carefree

Where sin’s consequence pains

God’s love, proven at Calvary

Still faithfully sustains

Author of earth and Heaven

Love oft must suffer loss

With every care, Thy grace is given

To help us bear its cross

We thank Thee, faithful Lord/God above

For Thou art good always

Though life is not carefree, Thy Word/Thy love

Anoints our souls/goals with praise

Janet Martin

Be Thou My Vision — Kings Return | A cappella Hymn

Beyond the 'But In Part' We See

Below, a photo of a handmade card from a friend,

given almost a year ago...

(the above verse one of my favs)

On Sunday morning one of my students asked me if I have a favorite Bible verse.

 I replied that favourite verses vary, depending on what is happening, etc! 

On that particular morning I had meditated on Ps.119:165.

(because, I asked, 'who doesn't want 'great peace' ?

and that verse tells us who has it and how) 

Today I turned to this familiar and beloved Psalm, 

also an enduring favorite, 

filled with consolation and worship 

as we weather a world filled with sin and it's consequences

 such as sickness and sorrow!

Some sorrows are very public

and others very private!

But God knows them all!

Ps. 46

God is our refuge and strength,

A[a] very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear,

Even though the earth be removed,

And though the mountains be carried into the [b]midst of the sea;

3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,

Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,

The holy place of the [c]tabernacle of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be [d]moved;

God shall help her, just [e]at the break of dawn.

6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;

He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,

Who has made desolations in the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;

He burns the chariot in the fire.

10 Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

***

Take up Thy cross and follow He who grants sufficient grace

Beyond the ‘but in part’ we see before ‘then, face to face’

He helps us bear the suffering that faith must first endure

Beneath the shadow of His wing joy and peace are secure

Do not despair though dark may seem the valley of the hour

The trying of our faith will gleam with God’s sustaining pow’r

Here morning breaks and disappears; all is change and decay

But God remains the same; His years shall never pass away

Then, trust in God with all your heart; He is all-wise and good

From earth we know Him ‘but in part’; love oft misunderstood

So, fix your eyes upon the Prize of ‘someday, face to face’

And do not dread the test that tries the perfecting of faith

Be still and know that He is God; He is faithful and true

Take courage, for His staff and rod protect and guide us through

The valley of the shadow of the part He overcame

At Calvary, for all who love and believe in His Name

Janet Martin

1 Cor.13:12 NKJV

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.

Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

God Will Take Care of You

Heb.12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 

let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, 

and let us run with endurance the race set out for us.

  2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the authora and perfecter of our faith, 

who for the joy set before Him endured the cross,

 scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

3Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners,

 so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Because True Love Must Suffer Long...

“In every temptation we face and every trial we endure,

both Satan and God are active, and they have opposite designs, opposite purposes.

God is always proving your faith and your obedience in every temptation and trial.

And Satan is always seeking to destroy your faith and undermine your obedience

in every temptation and trial.”

—John Piper

Rom.8:6

For to be carnally minded is death;

 but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

God had one Son without sin,

but none without sorrow

J.R. Miller

Love suffers long...1 Cor.13:4

For this midweek, midmonth morning, a prayer.

Happy (or not) Mid-July! 

Dear Lord, waken our wanting to veiled blessings burdens bear

Expose the carnal taunting of the tempter’s cunning snare

By Thy own life, remind us how true love must suffer long

How before and behind us, your Hand on us makes us strong

Let Your Word be our buffer in a world vile and untrue

Through all that love must suffer, shape us to be more like You

As You bless those who mourn with comfort of courage renewed

As You infuse hearts, sorrow-worn with humbler gratitude

Surely goodness and mercy will not fail us all our days

Surely, through sorrow, You instill love’s purer joy and praise

Surely, through self-denial You bestow riches untold

Surely, through each new trial some new blessing You unfold

Dear Lord, help us humbly receive the gifts You long to give

Guard us against lies that deceive; show us how we should live

Then help us walk by faith, not sight; in weakness make us strong

As Your law becomes our delight and love’s suff’ring, our song

© Janet Martin

another soul-cheering reminder from the book pictured HERE 

The Beatitudes

Matt.5:3-12

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn,

For they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek,

For they shall inherit the [a]earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

For they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful,

For they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,

For they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

For they shall be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, 

and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 

12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, 

for great is your reward in heaven, 

for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Speechless Solace...

How thankful I am to know God hears love's prayer-tears...

for my family, for my church-family and for my country!

Love's concern for family, friends and actually, universal fellowman is beyond comprehension 

because, as the great Scottish Poet Robbie/Rabbie Burns' father would caution him

 'we are headed, not to the grave but through the grave'...

and his mother, poor in worldly wealth all her life, was deeply concerned 

that Robbie would not become money-rich through his gift of poetry 

lest he falls into the snare of putting his trust in money rather than God!' 

(from the book The Wind That Shakes The Barley)

It is Canada Day but this morning my prayer cannot find words

 to adequately express thoughts and longings for this gorgeous plot of geography 

called Canada; a beautiful country founded in Christian faith 

and rich with Christian heritage. 

A country full of beautiful people called Canadians!

I'm thankful, God hears love's cries of the heart for a country 

whose foundation is crumbling because the Cornerstone is rejected!

***

Today's poem is inspired in part by part of my devotion this morning

from the paragraphs below by one of my all-time favourite authors; 

James Russel Miller

as well as from meditating on Sunday morning's message 

from the passage of Scripture from from Eph. 1;1-14

Not through the fluency of words most eloquently wrought

God hears our hearts; His own heart stirred by unutt'rable thought

As He reciprocates; not with audible answers heard

But through unfailing promises found in His faithful Word

He hears our prayers; the tears that rend the fabric of our souls 

The groan of earnest sentiment that heaves and aches and rolls

As we cry out for God to bless all who hunger and thirst

For the Strait Path of Righteousness through this old world, sin-cursed  

Where we are pressed on every side by idle apathy

Where accolades for greed and pride disdain humility

Where, until/unless we lean on God's knee and every groan outpour

We drift like a ship, lost at sea without hope of a shore

God lays His ear close to our tears; He hears each wordless plea 

He comforts us; and gently cheers us with His company 

Then, faith's Spiritual Treasure, is a blessing beyond ken

Poured out by God's good pleasure through His perfect will. Amen 

Janet Martin

How utterly incomparable is the place at God's feet, 

as we pour out to Him our heart-hunger and soul-yearnings,

 then comforted by the thought that

 'He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly

 above all that we ask or think'!

 Eph.3:20

Alan Jackson - What A Friend We have In Jesus [with lyrics]

 

For Whatever Today Holds (our whole life through)

John 21:1-14

1Later, by the Sea of Tiberias,a Jesus again revealed Himself to the disciples.

 He made Himself known in this way: 2Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,b 

Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, 

and two other disciples were together.

  3Simon Peter told them, “I am going fishing.”

“We will go with you,” they said. 

So they went out and got into the boat, 

but caught nothing that night.

4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore,

 but the disciples did not recognize that it was Jesus.

  5So He called out to them, “Children, do you have any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

6He told them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” 

So they cast it there, and they were unable to haul it in 

because of the great number of fish.

7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” 

As soon as Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment

 (for he had removed it) and jumped into the sea.

  8The other disciples came ashore in the boat. 

They dragged in the net full of fish, for they were not far from land, 

only about a hundred yards.c

9When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and some bread.

10Jesus told them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 

11So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore. 

It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn.

12“Come, have breakfast,” Jesus said to them. 

None of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are You?” 

They knew it was the Lord.

  13Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, 

and He did the same with the fish.

14This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples

 after He was raised from the dead.

***

Don't you love this story?! 

Recently a few of my devotions have pointed to the richness of its details!

How dreary the disciple's return to hum-drum life must have seemed,

 in light of the past three years spent with Jesus! 

How discouraged they must have been after a night of  'fruitless/fishless' net-casting!

but Jesus cared about them in their common tasks, calling from the shore!

(Calling them 'children like a tender-loving Daddy/Abba-Father)

 Not only did He meet them there but had gone ahead of them to prepare a fire,

 knowing there would be fish! 

They didn't recognize Him right away

but oh, the joy when they did!

What a beautiful picture for present-day

disciples and fishermen to cherish and draw encouragement from!  

I captured the delight of this fisherman on the weekend!

This joyful moment followed the frustration of the loss of a lure

after his line snagged and broke,

and he needed to mend it and cast again!

Wherever we are,

whatever today holds, 

let us not lose heart

for the One who overcame the world is with us!

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, 

so that in me you may have peace.

 In this world you will have trouble. 

But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

He cares for us; and does not leave us to fend on our own

God never sends us out to ‘fish’ or fight faith’s fights alone

But takes a tender int’rest in our labours here on earth

For no task is too commonplace when filled with love’s great worth

He comes to us; no matter where the call of duty lies

He does not leave us comfortless to feast on futile sighs

But cheers us onward, for His grace will always be enough

To bear us up beneath love’s charge with hope and joy and love

He comforts us; into grief’s valley streams of mercy pour

When we are heavy-laden, look He beckons from the shore

To 'come'; no matter who we are He loves us all the same

His Spirit ministers to all who call upon His name

He carries us; like a Shepherd He tends His precious flock

And lifts us to His bosom when we are too weak to walk

His love will never fail, each morning His mercy is new

To fit us for whatever today holds, our whole life through

© Janet Martin

This song kept going through my mind on the weekend as

I marveled at the way trees grow out of rocks!!

Sweetly Resting (In the Rifted Rock)

These Are Dark Days...

In Times Like These

In times like these it would be very easy to fall prey to fear but...

2 Pet.1:3-10

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness 

through the knowledge of Him who called us by His owna glory and excellence.

  4Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, 

so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature,

 now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue;

 and to virtue, knowledge;

  6and to knowledge, self-control; 

and to self-control, perseverance; 

and to perseverance, godliness; 

7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; 

and to brotherly kindness, love.

  8For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, 

they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive

 in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

  9But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness,

 having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

10Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure.

 For if you practice these things you will never stumble, 

11and you will receive a lavish reception into the eternal kingdom 

of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

These are dark days of doubting God

Of lack of fear and reverence

For He, who through His own shed blood

Purchased mankind's deliverance

From death and hell; sin's penalty

That only Jesus justifies 

He alone sets captive souls free

And fits us for Redemption's Prize

...for all have sinned and fall short of

The glory of God, kind and true

Holy, faithful, and rich in love

He helps us love each other too

When days are dark with doubt and dread

And evil's bold and blinded boast

Mocks or disregards the Godhead

Of Father, Son and Holy Ghost 

These are dark days of unbelief

In our Lord's glorious return

When He will triumph over grief

And pain; when this old world will burn

And Faith will will behold all things new

No suffering or forecasts grim

As He who IS Faithful and True 

Unfurls eternity with Him 

Janet Martin

Rev.21:1-8

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, 

for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. 

Also there was no more sea.

  2Then I, [a]John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven

 from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 

3And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,

 “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,

 and He will dwell with them,

 and they shall be His people. 

God Himself will be with them and be their God.

  4And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;

 there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. 

There shall be no more pain, 

for the former things have passed away.”

5Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” 

And He said [b]to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

6And He said to me, “It[c] is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7He who overcomes [d]shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8But the cowardly, [e]unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

If it were not so I would have told you!

Jesus-

John 14:2

Cage-Rattling Joy...

John 16:33

I have told you these things,

 so that in me you may have peace. 

In this world you will have trouble. 

But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

1 Thess.4:13-18

3 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, 

concerning those who have fallen [a]asleep,

lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,

even so God will bring with Him those who [b]sleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive

 and remain until the coming of the Lord 

will by no means precede those who are [c]asleep. 

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, 

with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. 

And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain

 shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 

And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 

18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

***

Imagine if we could not comfort one another with God's words from scripture!

Surely, then life would be a hopelessly fearful undertaking,

each day's impending unknowns dark with dread and discouragement!

SO many tragedies could leave us disillusioned,

 our hearts irreparably broken,

Faith would be crushed with despair,

 but for the treasure of sure hope through the shed blood of Christ!

2 Cor.4:7-9 (read the whole tender chapter HERE)

Now we have this treasure in jars of clay 

to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us. 

8We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed;

 perplexed, but not in despair;

 9persecuted, but not forsaken; 

struck down, but not destroyed.

Where flowers bloom midst dire tides of doom and gloom forecasters spew

Where God's unfailing Word abides; each morning His mercy is new...

Before a fresh burst of unknowns rattles the cage of Time and Place

Where, praise the Lord, faith's stepping stones are set in sands of hope and grace

Where flowers bloom midst dire tides of doom and gloom forecasters spew

Where God's unfailing Word abides; each morning His mercy is new

Where justice will prevail some day so we do not need to despair

Where good or ill, come what yet may, God helps us through each creature-care

Where God, who cares for you and me is greater than faith's crooning foe 

A Very Present Help to we who need His truth and comfort so 

Where we would be deceived without His Word to guide, correct and cheer

And save us from pitfalls of doubt, pride, ignorance, folly and fear 

Where many who have ears are deaf it seems, to thund'ring wonder-storms 

And many who have eyes profess no knowledge of works God performs 

Where all will someday give account to He whose breath of life we draw 

While drinking from a glorious fount of favours that pray, authors awe 

...and courage, to fight the Good Fight, strong, pure and faithful to the end

Armed with the power of God's might and peace thought cannot comprehend

Where, praise the Lord, faith's steppingstones are set in sands of hope and grace

Where joy transcends bursts of unknowns rattling cages of Time and Place

Janet Martin

Where Could I Go-Emmylou Harris 

Restored...

Matt. 26:30

And when they had sung a hymn,

they went out to the Mount of Olives...

Ascend The Hill - Hallelujah! What A Savior (lyrics)

In the hour, the dark hour when our spirits groan with grief

When the power, the dark power of despair wars with belief

When the struggle, holy struggle strains faith to the uttermost

As life’s trouble, so much trouble tries the merit of its boast

Have you hasted, humbly hasted to the place where hope’s streams flow?

Have you tasted, sweetly tasted peace this world can never know?

Did you hold a little tighter to God’s Truth that cannot dim?

Did your heart grow strangely lighter as you sat and supped with Him?

Did the wonder of Hope’s Essence cheer you onward to faith’s goal?

Did the Thunder of Love’s Presence drive doubt’s shadows from your soul?

Did today’s Divine Director beckon you to hope’s birthplace?

Did faith’s Author and Perfecter bid you trace the scars of grace?

In the hour, the dark hour when the enemy is bold

Does the power, saving power of the cross increase its hold

Does the path you trod grow clearer, in the lamplight of God’s Word

Does love’s cross you bear grow dearer as faith’s fervor is restored

© Janet Martin

 

 

Sorrow's Sweet Surprise

I came across this photo of us sisters in much care-freer childhood days...

From left to right...

Marlene, Carolyn, Cheryl, Lucy and Janet 💝

Because today marks four months since Lucy's death,

it also marks four months of God's abiding comfort and strength,

and four months of being drawn ever nearer to His

everlasting love...

I'm sharing today and tomorrow's devotion 

from the book Consolation by Mrs. Chas E. Cowman

because they minister profoundly to all who are traveling

through trouble and sorrow...

I shared the verses below on yesterday's post but I didn't 'unpack' them...

Matt. 5:4

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our troubles,

so that we can comfort those in any trouble

with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Often in ways we would not choose

When love unfolds grief's solemn hues

We find, in sorrow's somber length

The God of all comfort and strength

Often, when disappointments test

The hopes and dreams now laid to rest

We find in sorrow's bitter tear

The God of all comfort is near

And often when (lest we despair)

We pour out broken hearts in prayer 

We find to sorrow's sweet surprise

The God of all comfort replies

We find  'no longer I, but Christ'

As hopes and dreams are sacrificed

We find, as sorrow bows the head 

The God of all comfort instead 

Whose compassion is new each morn

Who comforts mourners, sorrow-worn

Through troubles we would never choose

God ministers with Heaven's hues

© Janet Martin 

And a BIG P.S.

Prayer updates!

Remember the people you prayed for HERE

and HERE?

Our friends had a wonderful trip in spite of the initial disappointment;

not as originally planned but in place of original plans 💖🙏

...and thanks be to God,

 the family who was looking for a home has found one!

Thank-you all for your help and prayers!