The Heart is More than the Life-spring ...(sustaining every breath we draw)

Rom.5:5

Now hope does not disappoint,

because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts

by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Without the love in the above verse to 

transform once alien hearts, cold and hard

our hearts would resemble last's week's ice-cast world...

Pondering various heart-conditions and positions in today's poem...💖

1 Sam.16:7

But the LORD said to Samuel,

 “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature,

because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees;

for man looks at the outward appearance,

but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Jer.17:9-10

“The heart is deceitful above all things,

And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind,

Even to give every man according to his ways,

According to the fruit of his doings.

Ps.19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight,

O Lord, my [h]strength and my Redeemer.

Ps.51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Prov.4:23

Keep your heart with all diligence,

For out of it spring the issues of life.

Matt 5:

Blessed are the pure in heart:

for they shall see God

Matt.22:37-38

Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart

 and with all your soul and with all your mind.’e 

38This is the first and greatest commandment. 

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you:

not as the world gives, give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled

neither let it be afraid.

Eph.1:18

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened

in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you...

Col.3:15

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,

to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

The above  Bible verses are but a few of many verses concerning the heart...

The heart is more than the life-spring sustaining every breath we draw

It is the crux of every thing we crave or keep with rev'rent awe 

It skips a beat when happiness is taken by lovely surprise

A newborn babe, *a pretty dress on little girl with sparkling eyes

It revels in nature's fine art, whatever the season maybe 

God puts a smile in every heart that delights in His majesty

The heart is more than an organ that pulses in each mortal sleeve

There mankind's first battle began when the Tempter sought to deceive 

There still, many a war we wield, that God alone is privy to

As we learn how to trust and yield to He who knows us through and through 

Who said 'My peace I leave with you' to cheer the heart in trouble's toll

Whose promises, steadfast and true anchor the hope that calms the soul

Each heart is a rebel at first because of sin's inherent root 

For humanity is sin-cursed since Eve took the forbidden fruit 

Until we repent and believe; until the heart, forgiven, lives

And ceases in vain to achieve the peace that only Jesus gives

The heart is like a wand'ring sheep, lost in the dark, lonesome and cold

Until it trusts the Shepherd's keep and finds the doorway to the fold 

The heart, ah, who can understand the web and woof of its terrain  

It leaps for joy when love is grand; it shatters like fine porcelain 

When love must suffer sorrow's grief,; when taking up its cross is hard

The heart feels like a brittle leaf  rolling across a frozen yard 

Until, like the kiss of the sun, God heals the winter of the heart

In wondrous ways, second to none, that only His love can impart 

And fashions from love's tears and pain, beauty only brokenness earns/learns  

After sorrow's ration of rain the morning breaks and joy returns

And the heart leaps like a gazelle and laughs where golden puddles lie

Like mirrors where our teardrops fell but now showcase redemption's sky 

Where God's mercy, new every morn redeems the dark with light of day 

A picture of the heart reborn after death's curse is washed away 

Janet Martin

 *We cannot take every photo we would

because it wouldn't be proper, so 

Imagine a little girl of four,

with golden curls and sky-blue eyes

and cheeks where rose petals blush

looking up and smiling and slowly twirling

 as she models with unabashed pride and delight,

a new pink dress her mother made for her. 

There! does your heart not suddenly feel like its been kissed by a princess?!!

Mine did, last week when I walked next door

 for a little catchup visit with neighbours...

I had my camera in my pocket and paused instead on my way back

to capture ice-ensconced art!

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing with Lyrics Chris Rice

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

 The Greatest Love of All!

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)

1 Corinthians 3:10

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.

Romans 12:3

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

 The Potter's Hand

and to bring Him glory!!

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

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!

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😉😊

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;

How to cook perfect quinoa

😋

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

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💖💖💖

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

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

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!

Here's My Heart, Lord-David Crowder

(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 

But God, who is the Righteous Judge will not be overthrown 

God knows the Truth; no matter what we claim to be, He parts 

The curtain of exteriors to view our heart of hearts 

Beware, so we are not deceived by half-truths, reason-blurred 

For God will fulfill every jot and tittle of His Word 

God knows the end from the Beginning; and God is not mocked 

When we see These Things start to happen, we should not be shocked 

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

And understand the signs, for Redemption is drawing nigh 

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 

And those who obey His commands and do the Father’s will 

Upon the Solid Rock they stand as prophecies fulfill 

The shepherd knows his Sheep and His Sheep listen to his Voice 

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.

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 

 

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

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.

Psalm 37:4 

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

Proverbs 4:23 | NIV

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

Proverbs 27:19

  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.

”Jeremiah 17:9-10

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

Psalm 20:4 | NIV 

 The Lord does not look at the things people look at. 

People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7 | NIV