In The Light of Salvation

What a weekend of events I was blessed to be part of, 

in roles both of serving and being served through/with our church family!

I am so thankful for fellow-believers who lovingly understand and forgive 

my imperfections and love me because of the love of Christ!

Hallelujah🙏

On Saturday I was part of a team that served food to men 

who gathered for encouragement and instruction, 

as they strive to be spiritual leaders and servants of God

 in their homes, church, community, etc. 

yummy fresh fruit, bundt and coffee cake buffet for the morning refreshments,

...and then I TOTALLY forgot to take pictures of lunch!

***

Fellow-believers are our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Just as in any family, we don't all see eye to eye in everything

but as we cherish and marvel at the grace of God,

through His gift of salvation, He helps us to forgive

and love one another!

We cannot love as we ought, while clinging to grudges,

and hope, while doing so, to reap the benefits/blessings of God's grace.

After professing to receive the gift of saving grace, the redemption

 that pardons the penalty of sin, through the precious blood of Christ,

pray we do not we refuse grace/forgiveness to our fellowman.

Grace to our fellowman is not approving of, or excusing brokenness, sin, etc.

but it is a willingness, in light of God's mercy and faithfulness

to love one another and to trust Him to work in each of our lives 

as we humbly pray for and encourage each other. 

How much we miss firstly, of joy of  the Lord

 and then also of loving each other,

 if we allow bitterness to bind our wounds,

rather than forgiveness! 

Matt.18:21

21 Then Peter came to Him and said,

 “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, 

and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, 

but up to seventy times seven.

 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king 

who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, 

one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 

25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, 

with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 

26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 

‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 

27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, 

released him, and forgave him the debt.

28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants 

who owed him a hundred denarii; 

and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying,

 ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 

29 So his fellow servant fell down [a]at his feet and begged him, saying,

 ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you [b]all.’ 

30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.

 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done,

 they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.

 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him,

 ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 

33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, 

just as I had pity on you?’ 

34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers 

until he should pay all that was due to him.

35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you 

if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother [c]his trespasses.

***

I/We cannot cling to grudges against those who wrong me/us, yet

Assume the One who judges will forgive me/us, and forget

Each bitter accusation, as God pardons you and me

In the light of salvation loses its validity 

I/we cannot harbour grievances that foster futile strife

Yet claim the gift of righteousness and everlasting life 

Redemption's transformation triumphs where mortal might fails 

In the light of salvation love petitions and prevails 

I/we cannot guard an idol of reasons to sustain spite

Yet boast faith's rich reward with all who have fought The Good Fight 

The God of all creation provides hope in Christ alone

In the light of salvation none are fit to cast a stone  

© Janet Martin

CityAlight ~ Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me (Lyrics)

What a foretaste of glory yesterday, as voices united to sing this hymn of worship...

Nothing Is Mine Alone Save This...

Lest I harbour an unforgiving spirit,

Lest I forget whose love and grace grants what I consider 'mine',

Lest I grow greedy, self-serving/reliant, proud, bitter, 

Lord open my eyes and remind me,

The only thing that is mine 

is my reply to You

for all You have given/done for me

On Sunday we were challenged to contemplate our

response, attitude and gratitude for forgiveness

Click HERE and then click Nov. 10 service

for beautiful baptism testimonies, 

and meaningful message!

Mark 11:26

But if ye do not forgive, 

neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Lord, you forgive, You bore my shame/blame

Not one sin saved to damn 

Then Lord, help me in the same way

To forgive fellowman  

May these words forever strike a chill to our undying souls,

'I will not forgive'

Thy handiwork and love, my awe...

Dear Lord,

Remind me, what is 'mine' is Thine

All that First Glances own

Are but gifts from Thy Hand divine

Nothing is 'mine' alone

Save Thy forgiveness for my sin

Thy Presence for my fear

Thy Love, my stubborn will to win

Thy Word, my hope and cheer

Thy promises, my faith's delight

My joy, Thy grief achieved

Thy death for my eternal life

The hour I believed

Thy rod and staff to comfort me

Thy pardon for my debt

Thy mercy, my humility

Thy grace for my regret

Thy life for mine; Thy life-blood shed

Thy prayer-groaned/honed albatross

'Father forgive'; Thyself instead

Of me upon the cross 

Thy penance for my reckoning

My power by Thy Name

My reply to Thy beckoning

Is all that I can claim

Thy handiwork and love, my awe

Thy Righteousness, my peace

No hope have I save by Thy law

That anchors my release

From death and hell, My freedom sealed

By Thy decree divine 

My brokenness, by Thy Wounds healed

All that I have is Thine 

So, when my erring attitude

Forgets Thy goodness, then

Correct my lack of gratitude

As You see fit. Amen

© Janet Martin

I've shared the songs below many times

because I love them!

There Is A Fountain With Lyrics By Selah

Forgiven-Crowder

Come As You Are-Crowder

Reason to Rejoice

Today's poem was inspired in part by joy and in part by sorrow...

Joy because God is compassionate and full of mercy

Ps.145:8-9

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion,

Slow to anger and great in mercy.

9The Lord is good to all,

And His tender mercies are over all His works.

..and sorrow, because its easy to forget

and live self-indulgently, rather than with 

sacred urgency for all who do not know or believe 

Today's Scripture reading began with this verse;

 Heb.4:1

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us 

of entering into his rest, 

any of you should seem to come short of it.

(Read the whole solemn and comforting chapter HERE)

A new day!

What a gift of grace

Every day overflows with a 

fresh feast of highs and lows/thorn and rose

with no two days alike,

inviting us, each morning to the sweet anticipation of

moment buds unfolding reasons to rejoice!

One sweet reason for me today 

is my Cherry-Chocolate Latte Hibiscus, blooming profusely!

A birthday gift from a fellow flower-loving friend a few years ago.

(isn't its name deliciously fitting?!!)

For my debt of unuttered praise for grace and mercy, new again

For lack of awe for He whose ways transcend, yet tends Want’s pride-prone ken

For my oft apathetic love to He whose love none can descry

To the all-wise Creator of galaxies cupping earth and sky

For my debt of devotion paid to deities of carnal claim

Rather than to the One who made this day to glorify His name

For a balance, when weighed, that tips in favor of this world, not He

Who pours the sand of time that slips through frames filled with eternity

For ambition and noble thought, not ordered by sweet hour of prayer

For good intentions, oft forgot in the furnace where passions flare

For turning blind eyes and deaf ears to my Saviour’s unfettered grief

For every precious soul that sneers at Calvary in unbelief

For my debt of sin, unconfessed, for treasure held without a nod

In Your direction, richly blessed, yet thankless/trustless oft, forgive me, God

For my debt of worship I owe, to God who forgives and forgets

I pray, may glad praise overflow; grace rends shackles forged from regrets

Where faith and fantasy compete, Today, Lord, help me hear your Voice

As I lay my debt at Your feet, and rise with Reason to rejoice

© Janet Martin

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

The Wayside Cross

When Best Intentions Run Awry

This didn't go as planned!

To Grand sonny's 7 yr. old logic it made perfect sense to take a stick

 and whack the snow and ice out of this little china bird-feeder,

completely unaware that Gramma received it for Christmas

 from a family she did childcare for, 

and who thoughtfully picked out this bird and tea lover's gift .

Gramma, (as she came upon the scene of Grandson 

beating the feeder to bits after 'it was broken anyway' 

and before she heard the explanation that caused 

what appeared to be radical unreason!!) 

did not react as patiently as she should have, ahem!!

And then Gramma apologized for her quick and quite annoyed reaction,

and gave him a little 'explanation' on why she treasured it

and on respecting people's things. 😓😅

Grandsonny was very sorry💔💗

It reminded me of how we all sometimes are part of best intention run amuck.

He was simply going to get rid of the ice😂😇

but, no matter how well-intended the objective

 if, when all is said and done

we leave someone wounded/broken or in retrospect realize

our intentions were misguided,

 we owe repentance and apology to whom it is due

however noble our initial intentions were!

The above episode may seem like a pale example,

but the principle  is the same, 

no matter what the details of the issue.

As we mature we realize even compassion can make mistakes.

Sometimes love can get a bit tangled in that fine line 

between sinner and sin!

Oh God, help us all (Whether leader or laity)

 to be humble enough always, to stand corrected!

Would that we be sorry when we should!

God is faithful to help us pick up the pieces,

and move forward by His grace,

for His glory!

Sometimes our best intentions run awry

The good-we-would misses the mark we sought

And every earnest explanation ‘why’

Cannot suffice to fix the wrong it wrought

Sometimes stumbles can test the ‘humblest’ heart

Surprising Self with startling clarity

When Noble Reason errs, (if but in part)

Wreaking havoc from flawed integrity

Fumbles can foster brutal wake-up calls

With jolts intended to open our eyes

Because no one is above pride’s pitfalls

Or too superior to apologize

Then, sometimes all it takes to get along

Rather than justify the cause so much

Is to say ‘I am sorry, I was wrong’

Then let forgiveness work its healing touch

Sometimes our best intentions run askew

The good-we-would leaves shambles in its wake

And every explanation will not do

Other than owning up to love’s mistake

© Janet Martin

Dear Lord, remind us, rather than stooping to sling stones,

to bow humbled hearts before you in prayer for one another!

John 8:2-11

Now [a]early in the morning He came again into the temple, 

and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 

3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery.

 And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him,

 “Teacher, [b]this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.

 5 Now [c]Moses, in the law, commanded us [d]that such should be stoned. 

But what do You [e]say?” 

6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him.

 But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, [f]as though He did not hear.

7 So when they continued asking Him, He [g]raised Himself up and said to them,

 “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 

8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 

9 Then those who heard it, being[h] convicted by their conscience, went out one by one,

 beginning with the oldest even to the last. 

And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 

10 When Jesus had raised Himself up [i]and saw no one but the woman, 

He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers [j]of yours? 

Has no one condemned you?”

11 She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; 

go [k]and sin no more.”

Nothing But This...

Happy First-Friday-in-February!

F- is for Forgiveness!

***

To hold a grudge is such a heavy weight to carry through the day

Forgiveness frees us from its spite and lets it gently slip away 

Ah, life is much too brief to mar it with the bitter grief of hate

Forgiveness melts its iron bar and flings ajar love's glorious gate 

***

A friend and I decided to bring a splash of 'sunshine'

to February's dreary debut by hitting a few thrift stores

with Extreme Leisure!😂

I found the treasure below to hang in our kitchen dining area

as a gentle reminder of what I/we can quite quickly forget!

Have we nothing but this to bring

To God when shadows fall

To be a gift, fit for a king

Though it may seem so small

Have we nothing but this to prove

The flower from faith’s seed

It is enough. A word of love

A kind and thoughtful deed

Have we nothing to leave behind

When death its due will claim

It is enough, to love, be kind

In Jesus precious Name

Enough to see in every face

The scarred hand-print of He

Who helps us to mirror His grace

With kind humility

Lord, let the Name we utter/cherish most

Because of Calvary

Grant nothing but love's greatest boast

'Not I, but Christ in me'

© Janet Martin

This is (one of) my daily devotionals for this year.

January's 'pathway' focused on God's will

February's pathway focuses on Forgiveness

Forgiven!!-David Crowder

Come as You Are- David Crowder

A Meek Appeal

“I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh

and give you a heart of flesh. 

And I will put my Spirit within you . . . 

and you shall be my people, 

and I will be your God”

 (Ezekiel 36:26–28).

Something for Thee

Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross

Forgive my apathy

My soul, not wholly awed

Forgetful, where a blood-drenched tree

Extolled the Lamb of God

Forgive my wayward eye

From Cal’vry’s silhouette

Where grief does not compose a cry

Of true repentance yet

Forgive my easy loss

Of sorrow for my sin

Forbid, I gaze upon the cross

Yet bar the Door within

Forgive my errant whim

Desires, prone to pride

Unshaken, as I gaze on Him

With Self, not yet denied

Forgive my lack of zeal

For Your sufficient grace

Draw me back to the cross to feel

Your blood drops on my face

Forbid that I should bow

O Christ, beneath thy Blood

Only to return to sin’s slough

Like a pig to the mud

Remove my heart of stone

Break through my ache of skin

With renewed awe for You alone

Who takes away my sin

Forgive me when I seek

The willing ways of men 

Lord, enter in where flesh is weak

And make me strong again 

© Janet Martin

Nearer, Still Nearer

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

Heart-sick

From The Dying Thief- Charles H. Spurgeon

The fact is, there is nothing so good but men can pervert it into evil, if they have evil hearts: 

the justice of God is made a motive for despair, and his mercy an argument for sin. 

Wicked men will drown themselves in the rivers of truth as readily as in the pools of error. 

He that has a mind to destroy himself can choke his soul with the Bread of life, 

or dash himself in pieces against the Rock of ages. 

There is no doctrine of the grace of God so gracious 

that graceless men may not turn it into licentiousness.

Jesus, Lover of My Soul - The Living Stones Quartet

Sometimes the heart gets sick

The evils of this world

Can cruelly cut us to the quick

So shamelessly unfurled

Debauchery and greed

Pay no heed to the cost

But dark and dangerously feed

On lost leading the lost

The troubles that we face

Would crush and overthrow

But for the fountain of God’s grace

That washes white as snow

Beware of the soul’s foe

The craft of finite pow’r

Who seeks while roaming to and fro

All who he can devour

Dear soul, be on thy guard

Take up thy Spirit-sword

Lest, by a lie you should discard

The armour of the Lord

Lest, by sin’s sleight of hand

We lose sight of the Prize

Without God’s armour, who can stand

Against satan’s disguise

Sometimes, the heart is sick

Of evil’s hellish sway

Oh God, when life cuts to the quick

Hear the tears that we pray

...and let Belief's increase

Be more than idle talk

Lest faith is shattered piece by piece

Against the Solid Rock

© Janet Martin

Psalm 62:1-2

Truly my soul finds rest in God;
    my salvation comes from him.

Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Even If...

'We give relationships our best efforts because we love the Lord.'

Bible Love Notes

...and that's the crucial element; if/because we love the Lord! 

It/He helps us forgive even when it seems it doesn't change anything.

When we put Love/God first it changes everything!

First and foremost, our focus.

Wow!

Today's Bible Love Notes Devotion

seemed to speak directly to me,

feeling a little/ a lot guilty at my less than loving response

to someone this morning which set the fur flying

(I won't bore you with all the juicy, dirty details)😁

and while we did sincerely apologize

for losing our 'cool', two people in their mid-fifties

are not miraculously changed just because we say

"I should not have said what I did, I'm sorry, (but)" 

But, by the time we reach our mid-fifties

 we also realize how vital reconciliation is!

(I'm sorry without the 'but'!!)

On this blog I try to keep life and love real!

Love is hard, often hidden work, but

vital work, so worth the effort, 

because it affects so many more people

than just ourselves!

So, by God's grace we forgive

and try again...

CityAlight-Grace

So, here's to love, even if...

Even if we feel neglected,

rejected, 

misunderstood

Love is patient

kind and gentle

Not angry,

vengeful

or rude

Even if, when disappointed

by the twists 

and turns

of life

Love protects,

considers others

does not wield

a verbal 

knife (oops!!)

Even if, we feel that our

frustration

is justified

Love requires

meek repentance

of self-serving

stubborn pride

Even if it feels lopsided;

 scales of loving's

give and take

Love respects,

lest we,

misguided, think

Self is love's

highest stake 

Even if we lose our tempers/mercy

Love apologizes,

then

Prays when he/she

pushes our buttons

we learn how to

count to ten

😏😓😊

and try, and try

and try again

Janet Martin~

Love never quits

Love never fails

1 Cor.13:8

Speaking of pushing buttons...

If we were push-button machines

we could 'order-up'

and all would be well

in Love of Self's little world...

but, since we are people

for better or worse

feelings and opinions come into play

and our only saving grace is,

'if we love the Lord'

If we don't then long-term 

happy, healthy relationships

are hard! 

...even if for just a bit

we want to sit and

nurse

'poor me'

Love makes us strong 

enough

to get up

and serve

with humility

Love is patient, 

love is kind...

1 Cor.13:4

Let's Leave Allowances (for a miracle!)

Due to the explanation here (Poem Tango) I am extending (Love willing)

  the lease on love poetry,

because after all is said and done/won

Love is poetry clamouring to be written!💗😊

This poem applies to marriage or

Love's Common Carriage called 'us'

"Let's keep in mind, storms never stay

the sun will shine again..."

Last week's sunshine-soak-spot😀

(side note; looks like our snow dugout in the background needs digging out!)

Weather is one way of reminding us how swiftly life's landscape can change,

and the only abiding Anchor is Love!

Let’s leave allowances, my love, for fumbles, slips and such 

And smooth out shouted wrinkles with a kinder kind of touch 

Let’s be good friends and not give up where cups of grace ran dry 

Let’s weather life together and give love another try 

Let’s be to one another what we wish others to be 

The golden rule is not a rubric of antiquity 

But is a foolproof principle for people, young and old 

And able to work wonders in a badly broken mold/world 

Let's keep in mind storms never stay, the sun will shine again

Let's not get so caught in the moment we forget the 'Then'

As much as we are able let's soften often harsh tones

And prove that we are grateful by not hurling verbal stones

Let’s forgive one another and release the bitter grudge 

Let love be of sound judgment, then, not quite so quick to judge 

What good is pointing fingers when we all bear part of blame 

Let’s remember Life’s Author and the love from whence we came 

…and leave allowances because we are all learning still 

Then let’s love one another on life’s road, often uphill 

Instead of clenching angry fists let’s join our hands until 

The love of God has worked in us His greatest miracle 

© Janet Martin 

Heb.13:1 NKJV

Let brotherly love continue

or NIV

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters..

Confession is Good For the Goal

 PAD Challenge day 19; write a confession poem

Oh look! He fills dawn's gleaming stair

with Mercy's 'try again'

I am not always meek and kind 

I sure wish I would be 

I hate the shells I’ve strewed behind 

In verbal mutiny 

I am not yet a model of 

Wisdom’s perfected clay 

I am still a student of love 

Learning what not to say 

The tongue is not like ink and page 

A mouth cannot back-space 

A word, when it has fled the cage 

No technique can erase 

One would think after all these years 

Of practice I would know 

What not to say, but oh, my dears 

I fear it isn’t so 

God, rich in kindness hears my prayer 

He makes forgiveness plain 

For look, He fills dawn’s gleaming stair

With mercy’s ‘try again’ 

Thus, I press t'ward the Goal once more

And ask God to renew

His watch to guard the Sacred Door

That all my words pass through

© Janet Martin

Psalm 141:3

Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.

James 1:26
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, 

he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.

Proverbs 13:3
He who guards his mouth protects his life, 

but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

Psalm 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.

Proverbs 21:23
He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.

Psalm 19:14

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart 

be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Well! I wrote this post

then turned to read today's Daily Bread Devotion...

(a very-worth-one's-while-read)

This: Eph.4:29-32

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, 

but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, 

that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, 

with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 

 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, 

brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 

 Be kind and compassionate to one another, 

forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Thank-you Lord!