Showing posts with label heart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heart. Show all posts

Monday, March 18, 2024

Monday Medley of Meditations


There's nothing quite like love's heartaches to remind us
of the Living Hope found in the Healer of the human heart
and rouse reflections on how our own lives reflect

Saturday night awed hearts with art
only God can orchestrate/accomplish!






So did Sunday morning!!!
(after a 'sheepish' snowfall overnight.
It was a bit like walking on fleece; soft and soundless)





By the grace God has given me, 
I laid a foundation as an expert builder, 
and someone else is building on it. 
But each one must be careful how he builds.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you:
 Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, 
but think of yourself with sober judgment, 
according to the measure of faith God has given you.

***

Oh, self-inflicted agony
Oh, cruel way to live
Clinging to hate's hostility
Unwilling to forgive

Oh, what an awful way to face
A new day, mercy kissed
Greeting the goodness of God's grace
Not with praise, but raised fist

Oh, pray we do not waste each chance
To love each other, for
Today is like a gift God grants
To love Him more and more

How much we love Him, none can hide
Love's language plain to see 
By how freely self is denied
In light of Calvary

© Janet Martin 

***

We never will get it quite right
Human nature is bound to err
Better to forgive than to fight
Better to be kind than to swear

Or wield a vengeful, verbal knife
Darkening thought with bitter darts
Better to hold the gift of life
In gentle hands and thankful hearts

How futile, the vile mastermind
That plots ways to retaliate
Better to be patient and kind
Better to love, my dear, than hate

© Janet Martin

***

When All That Remains Is What Was...

We pass this way but once, my love
How long the way will be
Until the soul slips from its glove
No one can know or see

Thus, we do well to live each day
As if it were the last
To cheer each other on life's way
Ere death's shadow is cast 

...and all that remains is What Was
With those we leave behind
Pray, life's echoes are sweet because
They are gentle and kind 

© Janet Martin

Every test God allows in our lives is but an opportunity
to yield to and trust
and to bring Him glory!!







Monday, April 3, 2023

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”







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






Thursday, March 30, 2023

Of Arms and Hearts (or, They Grow So Fast)

 It feels like we just did this but we did it again...celebrate granddaughter's birthday!!




They grow so fast we sigh, as seasons fly through arms and hearts
Where none can tame the twinkle in time’s eye or change its ways
The child soon tries its wings, tugging on strings that love imparts
While teaching us to treasure the fleet measure of Todays
For time is never idle; none can tame or bridle clocks
Childhood’s tower of make-believe soon tumbled by hard knocks

They grow so fast we cry, while milestones make us laugh and weep
Robbing us of ready reply when we try to explain
Love’s gladness that runs rife with sorrow for what none can keep
Where each wee babe soon tests the play of love’s parental rein
The brief heaven of innocence soon startled by a Voice
As the gavel of consequence falls on the heels of Choice

They grow so fast we say, and pray the Lord their souls to guard
With angel armies, for this world is full of deadly snares
Where soon our arms are lowered and the garden gate unbarred
And off they go; but never out of reach of tender prayers
Or the eternal cradle-dear, that no child can outgrow
The heart that keeps them near no matter where their feet may go

© Janet Martin 


Grand-daughter's 'prince' freeing the princess...


Found the sweet poem above in this book!








Wednesday, April 20, 2022

The Secret to A Heart Content



Day 20 PAD Challenge: For today's prompt, write a six words-challenge poem.
6 words are: Content, Double, Guide, Meet, Pump, Suit

Red-bellied Woodpecker
(he showed up today, after a long absence looking a bit harried, but still beautiful!)

American Robin





How lovely is a heart content
How double-happy its delight
When we meet life, not with lament
But with poetic/ecstatic appetite 

Time is a tour guide, quite gallant
Poised to accommodate pursuit 
The heart is easy to enchant
When contentment has taken root 

A heart content cannot be bought
No pump can run its wellspring dry
Its happiness cannot be caught
Like a bird or a butterfly

I think sometimes we tend to miss
 Its kiss, and complicate its 'yes'
When contentment is simply this;
A heart chock-full of thankfulness 

P-s-s-s-t! keep this between you and me
I don't want to make Them feel bad
But, some folk don't read poetry
Then wonder why they feel so sad

😅

Janet Martin

Some people don't read poetry or bird-watch!
poor dears😉😊





Wednesday, January 12, 2022

For Better or For Worse Love's Fool-proof Evidence

There is only one fool-proof instruction manual for love:
God's Word, The Holy Bible
There is only one perfect example of love:
God's Son, Jesus
There is only one name above every name:
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place
and gave Him the name above all names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Phil.2:9-11

...for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men,
1 Kings 8:39

...for the Lord searches all hearts, 
and understands every intent of the thoughts.
1 Chron.28:9

...for God sees not as man sees, 
for man looks at the outward appearance, 
but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Sam.16:7

(A perk of not finishing a morning post till tot is in for an afternoon nap?
some lunch snapshots.😊)

Pots and pans can help us cook up quite a visually-appealing lunch-feast!
(I am always astonished at how a mountain of spinach
disappears when cooked)





This medley of stir-fried onion, green and red sweet peppers,
 celery, carrot and spinach
 topped with a scoop of quinoa, 
a splash of soy sauce
and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds was yummy!
For the first time I cooked un-gummy quinoa


thanks to this post;
😋
Besides pots-and-pans feasts,
Thoughts of man can cook up quite a feast too!
Whether with mind or mouth, 
we become what we regularly feast on.

For better of for worse God knows the intent of the heart
He sees beneath façade of skin that clothes the counterpart
Of longing’s smart and rebel pride,
Of cupid’s dart and dreams denied
His tender gaze beholds the ways of mortal’s mental art

We soon expose, in spite of clothes the thought-guests that we host
The ilk of word and deed soon shows what God/gods we love the most
By what we boast and what we crave
By who we toast astride the grave
By how one lives the Now grace gives; Heaven or earth-engrossed

When circumstance upsets The Plan, when tolerance is tried
When song and dance of fellowman obstructs the prudent stride
For better or for worse God knows
Whether we bless or curse want’s woes
Without a word the heart is heard and seen; nowhere to hide

The intent of the heart becomes tomorrow’s testaments
A catalyst of sacred crumbs scattering recompense
Where, someday we will give account
For seeds that spill from fleeting fount
To strew behind, from heart and mind, love’s fool-proof evidence

© Janet Martin

Thursday, September 9, 2021

Art-Throb


The closing of another chapter in my child-care 'book'...
as tomorrow Little Girl becomes School-girl!
 
"You're so big and I'm so little" She said as she looked at the pictures
And I said 'yes'💕
(why do I feel so small and how has she gotten so big?!)




I wish that I could paint for you
A very lovely work of art
A keep-sake I would give to you
To show the colours of my heart

To paint the perfect shade of joy
And spill with artistic finesse
The preciousness of girl and boy
That fills my heart with happiness

For little tot can teach a lot
To we, weathered by Father Time
And if I could, I’d paint, not jot
The spot that overflows with rhyme

…where poem then, mingled with prayer
My aching art-throb must appease
And ink must etch in frames of air
A Masterpiece of Memories

…for like the bubbles that we blew
An era pops and disappears
Leaving behind for me and you
A gallery of rainbowed spheres

…where laughter lilts and echoes bob
Like butterflies and petal-falls
As pictures waft from love’s art-throb
To hang forever on heart-walls

© Janet Martin

Last week these two left just a few days before becoming proud 
new big sister and brother to a new baby sister!
This 'job' tugs my heart every which way but loose💗💖

(I tried a few times and EVERY time
just as I clicked he looked down😀😘)


...and last but not least Grand-sonny starts school today!
When my daughter sent me the pictures
I told her I don't know whether to laugh or cry💖💖💖


Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Of Logic and Love

 

Logic and love (aka head and heart)
Can be at constant odds
until we humbly strive to start
to serve no other gods
Until we love the Lord our God
with heart, soul, strength and mind
We cannot be all that we ought
For we are God designed

In writing there is the constant battle 
of blending both heart and head.
To write with only the heart we tend to end up with Beauty
but not always truth. 
To write with only our heads may spout wisdom's facts and truth
but without beauty!
When we parent/love with only our heads 
we are at the risk of being too harsh.
When we parent/love with only our hearts 
we risk being too soft!

Lord, as new day dissolves the dark
and we embark anew
Lord, birth in both our heads and hearts
fresh awareness of You
By the direction of Your Word
To seek You with faith undeterred



The head hosts logic’s hot debates
The heart, the part that loves and hates
The head can wield a rigid rod
The heart, the part that yields to God

The heart is vile without God’s voice
To reconcile the guile of choice
The head holds the tower of thought
The heart holds God’s power, or not

Until the head and heart align
And one to the other resign
The head will be the part that fools
The heart with logic's art of rules

© Janet Martin

 “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart 
and with all your soul 
and with all your strength 
and with all your mind’ 
and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Luke 10:27

The heart is deceitful above all things, 
and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Jer.17:9

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Reminder To Me or Tangled Work of Art or Strings Attached


PAD Challenge 21: Here is Robert Lee Brewer's Prompt for Today

For today's prompt, take the phrase "(blank) Me," 
replace the blank with a word or phrase, 
make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem.
 

How pure the banter of the breeze
That skims the rippled brook...


How precious, child's boots caked with mud...



How beautiful is joy, how bright
Its happiness, unmatched
But remember, the sheer delight
Of joy has strings attached

How pure the banter of the breeze
That skims the rippled brook
And plucks joy’s strings in melodies
Not written in a book

How lovely is the laughing child
How darling and how dear
How sweet the street where dreams run wild
Before Doors interfere

How precious, child's boots caked with mud
After heads bow with grief
Beside a grave, where Mortal Bud
Is restored to Time's Chief 

For strings of joy both bind and rend
Oh, how they tug and throb
As sorrow sears the tender end
And keens the soul to God

How frayed, joy’s strings, through letting go
How stained with salty tears
How stretched by high five and low blow
How seasoned with the years

How priceless then, joy’s sacred strings
(Though tangled works of art)
For from the loom of sorrow wings
A humbly, thankful heart

© Janet Martin

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

God Knows...

 

Isa.46:10
I make known the end from the beginning, 
from ancient times, what is still to come. 
I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'

So much trouble to cause anxiety, all over the world.
So  much noise!
So many lies!!
Here's a song to fill our hearts with hope and peace!

(one of my favourite parts,)

You are strong, You are sure,
You are life, You endure,
You are good, always true,
You are Light breaking through
You are more than enough
You are here, You are love





God knows the heart; no tricking He who sees beyond façade 
Who hears beneath the poetry and what our hands applaud 
Sometimes we could become quite glum when faced with The Unknown 

God knows the Truth; no matter what we claim to be, He parts 
The curtain of exteriors to view our heart of hearts 

But we should stand up straight and tall and lift our heads up high 

God knows not all who say ‘Lord, Lord’ are followers of Him 
But those who seek His word to light the Way that would grow dim 
Upon the Solid Rock they stand as prophecies fulfill 

God sees the heart; He knows the truth; then tremble and rejoice 
His thoughts and ways, past finding out, are higher than our ways 
His righteous Judgement will prevail; then lift your heart in praise 

© Janet Martin 


Psalm 7:11 NLT
God is an honest judge.
 He is angry with the wicked every day.

Psalm 11:7
For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. 
The upright will see His face.


Saturday, January 2, 2021

On Invisible Detonations

 


It's only for a few months, he reminds me 
sensing the brave face I was putting up
as I watched him pack to move out for a few months...

Arms never could hold heart-pieces in place 
Bravado buckles in spite of intent 
It is impossible to embrace 
All that we longed for after it is spent 

Love never did promise Easy Street 
Though sometimes I kinda wish that it would 
They say the bitter makes better the sweet 
Later came sooner than I thought it could 

You want a hug? He asks bashfully 
I try to keep a brave smile on my face 
But oh, my old heart gets the best of me 
Arms never could hold heart-pieces in place 

© Janet Martin 



 


Friday, November 20, 2020

Poem-Target

PAD Challenge day 20;For today’s prompt, write a target poem.  

I hope it is an ocean's roar...


When I pull back the bowstring to 
Release love’s poem-dart 
My eye is firmly fixed on you 
My target is your heart 

Though miles may separate, dear friend 
We are not far apart 
If ink can find a way to wend 
My whisper through your heart 

A poem is always far more 
Than first glance may impart 
I hope it is an ocean’s roar 
That rushes through your heart 

I hope it is a smile, a kiss 
A little wish come true 
Because in every poem is 
Part of my heart for you 

I want, when ink has set its seal 
More than iambic art 
I want its font to touch, nay, steal 
A small piece of your heart 

© Janet Martin

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Ah, Heart's Desire...

How is it that love both triggers and feeds the heart's desire?!

 This heart-melter is as perfect as heart's desire can ever be!
Grand-daughter is 11mos. old!

Ah, heart’s desire; like a fire burning on a hidden hearth
Ah, who can know what fuels it; what metes the measure of its worth
A little seed can sprout into a mighty oak; a spark can start
An infernal, out of control; thus the desires of the heart

Longing can burn a hole into the fabric of what is no more
Regret can set a stumbling block; futile to rattle Bygone’s door
Ah, heart’s desire; moments lap at kindling, hope-and-heartache stacked
Where soon the heat of phantom flickers turns to ash…and its impact

The keeper of thy flame should guard the heart with wise and watchful eye
For what seems hidden soon reveals itself in word and deed’s reply
Where what seemed quite contained can turn into a perilous wildfire
If we do not pay careful heed to what we feed our heart’s desire

© Janet Martin

Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.

As water reflects the face,
so one’s life reflects the heart.

  The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind,
to reward each person according to their conduct,
according to what their deeds deserve.

May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.

 The Lord does not look at the things people look at. 
People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”