Wind-song of Hope

It rings in nature’s thoroughfare

It sings in dawn’s hurrah...

It steals into each dewdrop kiss...

It flickers on the woodland wick

Aura of imminence

Ignites the budded candlestick

In mossy ambience...

It rings in nature’s thoroughfare

It sings in dawn’s hurrah

And rouses in the heart a prayer

Of never-ending awe

It flickers on the woodland wick

Aura of imminence

Ignites the budded candlestick

In moss-green ambience

It steals into each dewdrop kiss

It heals the broken dream

And to a world with much amiss

Florets unfettered stream

It lilts in warbling rondelay

It bursts with fresh belief

It waves winter’s chill wind away

With silky handkerchief

It refuels the poet’s pen

Benison of blue sky

Crowns worship’s refurbished amen

With wonder’s my-oh-my

Nothing compares to its cajole

This rival of defeat

Revives, restores, renews the soul

With anthems, warm and sweet

It tickles even stiffest lips

With hint of giddy grin

And kindles kind companionship

To all who let it in

It brings a bounce to farmer’s gait

Eye on yon graying slope

And satisfies war-sighs of ‘wait’

With Spring’s Wind-song of Hope

© Janet Martin

After a frigid, rainy week we are welcoming 

a warmer, sunny start to a new week!

Job 37:21-24

Now no one can look at the sun,

bright as it is in the skies

after the wind has swept them clean.

22 Out of the north he comes in golden splendor;

God comes in awesome majesty.

23 The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power;

in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.

24 Therefore, people revere him,

for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?[b]”

Winepress of the Soul

What a week of wonderful weather!!

We are enjoying summer-like temperatures for another two days before they plummet!

I am so thankful God's goodness does not shift like shadows (or weather!)

With love comes a weight of care, doesn't it?!

Wherever, in this care-bearing we are,

What comfort to know we are called to cast our care on Him!

...casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

 1 Pet. 5:7

Beneath the burdens that we bear,

Beneath love’s constant cross of care

There is comfort beyond compare

In God’s mercy renewed

When we are weak then we are strong

Through He whose will is never wrong

Whose grace ignites in us a song

Of humble gratitude

The love that bore redemption’s wail

As triumph tore the temple’s veil

Is faultless and will never fail

Where all in this world will

Then, though want oft misunderstands

The cost obedience demands

As we ponder Christ’s nail-scarred hands

Storms of rebellion still

As we cast our cares on He

Who kindly cares for you and me

He helps us through the parts we see

Of toil and trouble’s toll

Love’s cross is never borne in vain

Though oft we stagger ‘neath its grain/pain

His grace and goodness will sustain

The winepress of the Soul

Where pride primps reason's cunning tricks 

Where failure and folly afflicts 

The righteousness of God convicts

And leads us on and up

Where beneath the burdens we bear

That pave life's/faith's path with prayer on prayer

His promises, beyond compare

Fill hope's uplifted cup

  

© Janet Martin

James 1:12-18

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because

 having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life 

that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” 

For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 

14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away 

by their own evil desire and enticed.

 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;

 and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 

17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, 

who does not change like shifting shadows. 

18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth,

 that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

A Hope-Hug

Heb.11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God,

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Earlier this week a commentator for The Masters remarked how

there are far more games being played than the one we see on the greens;

the games of the mind!

We can all relate to that comment, can't we?!

But above all that fuels the duels of the mind

there is faith, hope and love. (1 Cor.13:13)

These are no game!

These equip us for what waits after life's/faith's grueling duels are done!

Images like the ones below can't help but rouse a sort of reflection

and stir a sacred anticipation for That Day

when by the grace of God for His eternal glory, believers, faithful and true

 celebrate the Victory of all Victories!

When it will be our arms lifted in unceasing praise to the One who made triumph possible!

Dear Christian, are you discouraged, weary beyond words, with love's cares and prayers?

Press on. A Heavenly hug awaits!

Hope heals many a hurt

Hope drives us from despair

Hope endorses the holy work

Of meek and patient prayer

And does not make ashamed

All who through faith, trust Him

Who once upon a cross proclaimed

Hope that no woe/foe can dim

Though oft we groan with grief

Where hell’s painted façade

Promotes the plague of unbelief

And fearlessness of God

Still, mercy is renewed

Each morn, His truth remains

Where faith keeps hopelessness subdued

Through grace His love sustains

Whoever will may come

Trust in God and repent

Before the certain, sacred sum

Of numbered days is spent

Before it is too late

To prepare to meet God

Because Last Breath has sealed the gate

With judgment’s solemn rod

Without His gift of grace

Without redemption’s stream

How can we bear to think to face

He who died to redeem

And break the curse of sin

To save the deathless soul

To anchor hope beneath the skin

Of faith that makes us whole

© Janet Martin

 In Need 

Guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 25:5

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! 

In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope

 through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

1 Peter 1:3

May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,

even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 33:22

But if we choose to reject and disregard Him,

what then?!!

If we choose through unrepentance, God's wrath?!!

A somber reflection from a devotion by Charles Spurgeon 

What The World Knows Nothing Of...

Sometimes the sorrow for those who do not believe, love and obey God

is almost more than I can bear,

and lest misunderstood, I come across as having all the answers

and everything 'right', far from it!!

but the one/only answer I have right, is by the grace of God 

through the cross of Jesus Christ;

Gal.6:14

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,

through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Living Hope 

Golgotha

Fear, in this fallen world seeks to usurp faith, hope and trust

Without God’s Word to undergird, to guide, rebuke and cheer

How could we bear love’s cross of care or suffer what we must

But for the glory waiting in the Aftermath of here

Where the foothills of Heaven groan with sin, sorrow and strife

Where we, but brief sojourners because earth is but a vale

Need He who rolled away the stone from a tomb filled with Life

The life that will abide; even in death it will not fail

Ah, raise thy gaze above the worldly ways of wanton will

Cling to the sickle of God’s Word to keep thy conscience pure

And drink from the wellspring where Living Waters spill and spill

To sustain and refresh the soul committed to endure

…and tremble at His Word; pray for a spirit, poor, contrite

So, God will look on us and fill us with riches untold;

Green pastures and still waters to restore the soul’s delight

His perfect peace, his joy to be our strength, worth more than gold

Pray for this fallen world, mired in cesspools of despair

Ah pray for those who do not know the goodness of God’s love

That they may come to know He who laid mercy’s coffers bare

Upon the cross to offer what the world knows nothing of

By God's grace alone we are saved; a gift so none can boast

Shall we then continue in sin so His grace may abound

Shall we mock, as it were the One who gave His Uttermost

Oh, may it never be, when once lost, we are found

Surely, goodness and mercy will follow us all our days

Until we dwell with Him by whose resurrection, we live

Where we will never weary of perfecting worship's praise

As we look on Him whom we pierced, and He replied 'forgive'

© Janet Martin

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. 

Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. 

26And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.

 Do you believe this?”

Isa.66:2

Has not my hand made all these things, 

and so they came into being?” declares the LORD.

 “These are the ones I look on with favor:

 those who are humble and contrite in spirit, 

and who tremble at my word.

At The Cross

Does It Not (Bid Thought to Marvel)

 Alas, and Did My Saviour Bleed?

 

Grace and peace to you from God our Father 

and the Lord Jesus Christ,

 4 who gave himself for our sins 

to rescue us from the present evil age, 

according to the will of our God and Father, 

5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. 

Amen. 

Gal.1:3-5

Does it not bid thought to marvel

He who knew no sin became

Sin's sacrifice for all people

To redeem us through His Name

Does it not stir adoration 

For He whose blood was out-poured

Once for all, the soul's salvation

Wrought, through Jesus Christ the Lord

Does it not stun contemplation

That the Son of God should be

Humbled to death's meanest station

On a cross for all to see

Crushed beneath the weight He carries

Sinless, bearing all our sins

For we, beneficiaries

Of His holy sufferings 

Does it not undo vainglory

To view hate's presumptuousness

While love, clothed in bloodshed, gory

Wove faith's robes of righteousness

Does it not renew surrender

Does it not steal our breath

To behold the soul's Defender 

Obedient unto death

Look, where love's manifestation

Suffered voluntarily  

Does it not stir adoration

From the likes of you and me

Jesus Christ gave Himself for us

Bearing Pardon's Albatross 

So that we we may be victorious

Through the power of the cross

Does it not bid thought to marvel

At the hope the cross affords

Through sin's sacrifice so royal-

King of Kings and Lord of lords

   © Janet Martin

Nothing But the Blood of Jesus

Wonderful Merciful Saviour

Because of Calvary-Be Glad (Palm Sunday weekend mediation)

The beginning of Psalm 32

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,

Whose sin is covered.

2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not [b]impute iniquity,

And in whose spirit there is no deceit.

...and then the ending

Many sorrows shall be to the wicked;

But he who trusts in the Lord, 

mercy shall surround him.

11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous;

And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

King of Calvary-Matt Redman

Be glad and shout for joy

All we who have believed

No power on earth can destroy

What Calvary achieved

Be glad and overjoyed

Hope crowns each step we trod

Where none can nullify or void

The promises of God

Be glad; Exalt the name

Of He who forgives sins

And grants the gift that all may claim

As faith its fight begins

Be glad, for our God reigns

His steadfast love prevails

Take heart and trust He who sustains

The Word that never fails

Be glad; beyond life’s cares

Awaits the victory

Joy crowns faith’s pilgrimage of prayers

Because of Calvary

Be glad and trust in He

Who is not overthrown

Fret not evil’s prosperity

That soon will be cut down

Be glad no matter what

Do not love’s law forsake

For God upholds the righteous but

The wicked He will break

Be glad and wait on He

Who Salvation’s cross braved

Be glad because of Calvary

Doomed sinner can be saved

Our hope is in the Lord

What blessed hope is He

Whose imperishable reward

Unfolds eternally

© Janet Martin

sometimes the darkness of  the world 

where the wicked seem to prosper 

could threaten to overshadow the Light!

May that never be!

But may His Word ever be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path

Ps.119:105

1 Corinthians 15:19 ESV

If in Christ we have hope in this life only, 

we are of all people most to be pitied.

Titus 3:7 ESV

So that being justified by his grace 

we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Psalm 37

Do not fret because of evildoers,

Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.

2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,

And wither as the green herb.

3Trust in the Lord, and do good;

Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

4Delight yourself also in the Lord,

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

5Commit[a] your way to the Lord,

Trust also in Him,

And He shall bring it to pass.

6He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,

And your justice as the noonday.

7Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;

Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,

Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;

Do not fret—it only causes harm.

9For evildoers shall be [b]cut off;

But those who wait on the Lord,

They shall inherit the earth.

10For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;

Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,

But it shall be no more.

11But the meek shall inherit the earth,

And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

12The wicked plots against the just,

And gnashes at him with his teeth.

13The Lord laughs at him,

For He sees that his day is coming.

14The wicked have drawn the sword

And have bent their bow,

To cast down the poor and needy,

To slay those who are of upright conduct.

15Their sword shall enter their own heart,

And their bows shall be broken.

16A little that a righteous man has

Is better than the riches of many wicked.

17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,

But the Lord upholds the righteous.

18The Lord knows the days of the upright,

And their inheritance shall be forever.

19They shall not be ashamed in the evil time,

And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

20But the wicked shall perish;

And the enemies of the Lord,

Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish.

Into smoke they shall vanish away.

21The wicked borrows and does not repay,

But the righteous shows mercy and gives.

22For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth,

But those cursed by Him shall be [c]cut off.

23The steps of a good man are [d]ordered by the Lord,

And He delights in his way.

24Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;

For the Lord upholds him with His hand.

25I have been young, and now am old;

Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,

Nor his descendants begging bread.

26He is [e]ever merciful, and lends;

And his descendants are blessed.

27Depart from evil, and do good;

And dwell forevermore.

28For the Lord loves justice,

And does not forsake His saints;

They are preserved forever,

But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.

29The righteous shall inherit the land,

And dwell in it forever.

30The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom,

And his tongue talks of justice.

31The law of his God is in his heart;

None of his steps shall [f]slide.

32The wicked watches the righteous,

And seeks to slay him.

33The Lord will not leave him in his hand,

Nor condemn him when he is judged.

34Wait on the Lord,

And keep His way,

And He shall exalt you to inherit the land;

When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

35I have seen the wicked in great power,

And spreading himself like a native green tree.

36Yet [g]he passed away, and behold, he was no more;

Indeed I sought him, but he could not be found.

37Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright;

For the future of that man is peace.

38But the transgressors shall be destroyed together;

The future of the wicked shall be cut off.

39But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;

He is their strength in the time of trouble.

40And the Lord shall help them and deliver them;

He shall deliver them from the wicked,

And save them,

Because they trust in Him.

My Portion Shane &Shane

Divine Intervention

The Creator of all we marvel at is our Divine Intervener/Interceder! Hallelujah!

How oft despair would gain a fateful foothold in my thought (Ps.43:5)

And bind my mind and spirit in chains where doubt and fear rue

And leave me floundering in bogs of misery, guilt-wrought

But for the lifeline of God’s promises, faithful and true (Heb.10:23)

From age to age His Word abides to cheer and edify (1 Pet.1:25)

To convict and correct, to comfort, exhort and command (2 Tim:316)

To whisper to the storm-tossed bark, ‘Fear not, for it is I’ (John 6:20,Matt.14:27)

To equip me with armor that will evil's wiles withstand  (Eph.6:13)

His manna for my wilderness, ( Deut.8:3) His grace to save my soul (Eph.2:8)

His ear to hear my prayer, (1 Pet.3:12) his righteousness to call my own (2 Cor.5:21)

‘When I am weak, then am I strong’ (2 Cor.12:10) ‘thy faith hath made thee whole’ (Matt.9:22)

Living Water to quench my thirst, ( John 4:14) His life-blood to atone (Eph.1:7)

His Word, a lamp unto my feet, a beacon pure and sure (Ps.119:105)

Where darkness would pervade without the Light sent from above (1 John 2:8)

For joy still set before us, He beckons us to endure (Heb.12:2)

Through His power, purpose and peace, goodness, mercy and love (2 Pet.1:3)

Heavens declare His glory,(Ps.19:1) and His glory fills the earth  (Isa.6:3)

His invisible qualities by creation proclaimed  (Rom.1:20)

His plan for man’s salvation, (Matt.1:21) for repentance (Mark 1:15) and rebirth  (John3:3)

Wrought through His sacred suffering, (John 3:16) yielding hope unashamed  (Rom5.5)

His cross to draw all men to Him so we may be set free (John 12:32)

His death to pay sin’s debt, His resurrection to fulfill (1 Cor.15)

His prophecy, to conquer death and hell; His victory

Has overthrown the grave because He braved His Father’s will (Luke 22:42)

His peace past understanding, (Phil.4:7) and His Mystery revealed (Col.1:26)

His all-sufficient grace (2Cor.12:9) to help us to trust and obey (Prov.3:5-6)

His Mighty Hand pierced through with nails; by His wounds we are healed  (Isa.53:5)

His Everlasting Presence promised each step of the way (Josh.1:5)

How oft despair could gain a dread-filled death grip on my heart (Ps. 42:5)

And draw me from the Well where Life’s undeterred waters brim (Isa.55:1)

But, God is rich in mercy (Eph.2:4) and He helps us do our part (Heb.13:6)

To deny self, take up His cross and humbly follow Him (Matt.16:24)

© Janet Martin

Lamentations 3:20

Surely my soul remembers and is humbled within me.

His Word Will Stand

Redemption-wrought Renewal

Surely all the suffering of sorrow, sickness, loss

would get the best of us without God's comfort through the cross

Praise Him; the best this life affords is free to one and all

Salvation through the sacrifice that saves us from The Fall

and breaks the curse of death and hell the hour we believe

renewing faith's hope day by day, through life yet to receive

John 3:16 (NKJV)

For God so loved the world 

that He gave His only begotten Son,

 that whoever believes in Him 

should not perish 

but have everlasting life.

2 Cor.4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart. 

Even though our outward man is perishing, 

yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 

 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, 

is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 

 while we do not look at the things which are seen, 

but at the things which are not seen. 

For the things which are seen are temporary, 

but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Renewed day by day

Where challenges we face

Would draw hope’s anchored joy away

Without God’s love and grace

Without His promises

To cheer our mortal clay

Without His perfect no and yes

To comfort as we pray

Without the confidence

Of Him, in full control

Without Calvary’s Providence

To save the deathless soul

...till the dark glass between

Faith and Sight melts away

The glory of what/Who is Unseen

Renews us day by day

© Janet Martin

Standing on the Promises of God

Because He Lives- David Crowder

Like Glimpses Through a Gate

Psalm 16:11

You will show me the path of life; 

In Your presence is fullness of joy; 

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

The thrill of February spring was short-lived,

...as was the clean up from previous ice-storms, 

 We woke to a world ensconced in nature's glitz!

How oft the Creator consoles

Earth's happiness, so full of holes...

February is always a struggle for me, poetically-speaking, 

and this February is no exception, so emotionally demanding/draining

 with so much local trouble and sorrow,

not to mention globally!

But hallelujah,

 God Was, Is, and Ever Will Be in perfect control!

We walk by faith, not by sight!

2 Cor.5:7

How oft the Creator consoles

Earth's happiness, so full of holes

Where grief exacts love’s bitter thorn

As dreams are dashed and hearts are torn

…and then the morn heaps hope’s buffet

As mercy’s masterpieces splay

Like glimpses, through a gate ajar

Where everlasting pleasures are

How often our faith could be

Disillusioned by tragedy

This, but part and parcel of Time

Tethered to weathered season-chime

Where rhyme and reason could dismiss

God’s goodness with betrayal’s kiss

Until, like glimpses through a gate

He reminds us of joys that wait

How often we could lose our way

If we relied on logic’s say

Where wise and fool alike concede

Man’s days are few and full of need

But, the best this world can demand

Pales, compared to God’s Promised Land

Glimpsed through a gleaming gate, agape

With impressions of its landscape

How oft the poet’s flound’ring prayer

Could yield to pirates of despair

Where unholy taunt plunders thought

And steals joy with blessings forgot

Until God opens downcast eyes

To impact us with sweet surprise

Unveiled, like glimpses through a gate

Where worship’s endless pleasures wait

How oft life's weight of care could wage

A war that nothing could assuage

Without more than this world can host

Of temporary toast and boast

Hoisted between eternities

A flail of mortal agonies

While glimpses through yon Gate remind

The man of the soul's transient rind 

How oft the Creator consoles

Earth’s happiness, so full of holes

With glimpses of Heavenly Hills

From whence our Help and Comfort spills

To cheer us onward in the flight

Of walking by faith, not by sight

Until Yon Gate eclipses grace

And glimpses become face-to-face

© Janet Martin

Psalm 121:1-3

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—

From whence comes my help?

2My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

3He will not allow your foot to [a]be moved;

He who keeps you will not slumber.

Lord, I Need You

I Need Thee Every Hour

Until We Kiss The Hands That Hold Us...

Evil in its lowest forms of hatred for God,

in shameless applause for sin!

Disasters that destroy and wreak unfathomable havoc and grief

oh God! We cry and You hear!

Psalm 18:6

In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help.

 From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.

David's new release feels like perfect timing

Our thoughts and prayers are with many suffering, 

esp. those in the earthquake aftermath

in Turkey and Syria

Great Are You, Lord

Some hurts would be too hard to bear without God’s hand to hold

Life, but a valley of despair where tragedies unfold

Hope, a hollow oblation in the station of the mind

Seeking sweet consolation, it can never fully find

Some hills would be too hard to climb without God’s hand to clasp

His word transcends the march of time; His goodness is steadfast

Where, like an outstretched Hand God’s word will undergird and still

The heart-storm when we do not understand love’s perfect will

Some crosses would feel merciless, without God’s Hand to trust

Without unfailing promises to cheer our weary dust

To comfort us because we know He never leads astray

But for faith’s benefit will show the error of our way

Some sorrows would seem hard, too hard without…ah, look and see

Behold his hands, how they are scarred because of Calvary

He suffered in our stead to break the curse of sin so man

May undeservedly partake of pardon’s perfect plan

Some wonder is too much to spell with lowly ink of thought

As we bow where love’s blood-drops fell and death’s triumph was wrought

Where redemption enfolds us and hope anchors us until

We kiss the hands that hold us in love’s pure and perfect will

© Janet Martin

As We Face What Waits To Be...

 

After two funerals, one on Friday and one yesterday

it is impossible not to be impacted by the brevity and sacredness of life on earth.

For, even though both funerals were for elderly women who had outlived

'by reason of strength, four score years'...

the moment life ceases to be all that matters is how we prepared for eternity!

Here we all still are, where God tips the scales of mercy in our favour,

where the invitation to 'come' resounds, 

and where redemption for sin still flows full and free!

Heb.9:27-28

Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment, 

28so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many;

 and He will appear a second time, 

not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.

Are you among those 'who eagerly await Him 

because of His gift of salvation'?!

Jesus Paid It All

Daybreak tips God’s scales of mercy in our favour; faith ahoy

With the promise of his Presence we proceed with hope and joy

Armed with the awesome awareness of the power of His Word

Gladness rekindles commitment to our calling undeterred

Because no matter what happens as we face what waits to be

Nothing in the world can sever us from God and love's decree

As Time’s thread runs through His fingers and our numbered days decrease

May Hope’s finished work through Jesus fill our hearts with joy and peace

We who believe in Him receive so much to be thankful for

As the Hour is approaching that nobody should ignore

When the joy still set before us is unveiled and we shall see

He who tips morn’s scales of mercy and beckons ‘come unto Me’

Death demands life’s full attention ere it cuts time’s sacred cord

And it ushers us to reckon with the love we most adored

Pray before the hour ceases when repentance comes too late

We have put our trust in Jesus, who will greet us at death’s gate

Then, when like a little vapor time’s brief sojourn disappears

We who have believed will enter in to ‘no more pain or tears’

But for all who disregarded He whose love tips mercy’s scales

There remains the endless horror of rejection’s endless wails

© Janet Martin

There is a Fountain filled with Blood