Oh God, The Giver of Our Days...

Create in me a clean heart, O God; 

and renew a right spirit within me.

Ps.51:10

Yesterday on Facebook, my youngest sister

 shared a treasured memory, from three years ago...

all the more treasured now,

 because never again will we three be together 

on this side of Heaven!

(I'm so thankful someone offered to take a picture of the three of us)

Click HERE for the last pic of the three of us,

on Lucy's last birthday...

(We three were together on my birthday in June as well

but no one thought to take a picture)

From left to right, Marlene, Lucy, Janet

Loss fine-tunes our hearts to the holiness of Today, doesn't it?!

because we are reminded that we never know

 what tomorrow will bring! (or today!)

Oh, how this perspective humbles our thankfulness for...

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, 

and cometh down from the Father of lights, 

with whom is no variableness, 

neither shadow of turning.

James 1:17

Oh God, The Keeper of our days

Anoint our lips with hymns of praise

For thy safe-keeping through the night

For mercy, kindling morning light...

Oh God, the Giver of our days

Instill in us a heart of praise

And fill our thought, not with want's trove

But with Thy hope, joy, peace and love

Waken anew, Thy sacred call

To serve Thee from morn to nightfall

Oh God, The Keeper of our days

Anoint our lips with hymns of praise

For thy safe-keeping through the night

For mercy, kindling morning light

For Thy faultless and faithful will

Thy perfect purpose to fulfill

Oh God, the Taker of our days

Instruct us in Your righteous ways

Equip us with Thy armour, Lord

The shield of faith, the Spirit's sword

In labor be our strength and might

In pleasure, be our pure delight

Oh God, the Lender of our days 

Evoke in us believing praise

To trust, rather than understand

The law of love's perfect command

And recognize, with humbler bent 

This Gift of Day that thou hast lent 

Oh God, beholder of our thought

Teach us to treasure what we ought

Where mercies past, in vast amount

Are far too copious to count

Then God, kind Giver of our days

Overflow humbler hearts with praise

In the Name of our almighty and everlasting God,

Amen

© Janet Martin

O God, Our Help in Ages Past

To the Weaver of Creature Cares, Some Poem-let Prayers

My friend gave me this book for Christmas.

She cautioned that it might make me shed some tears.

It did. 

But what worthwhile tears they are

as it reminded me of Rom.8:28 again,

'how God works all things together for good

to those who love Him and are called

according to his purpose.'

Sometimes, the troubled parts we see as hues of heartache blend

Are but threads in a Tapestry we cannot comprehend 

How often what may seem like disappointing change of plan

Is but God's intervention anointing the will of man

As from a skein of Mercy's flax He weaves, beyond our ken

Much more than we could think to ask or think to think. Amen  

***

Dear Lord, when I forget in the thick of setbacks and such

To visualize life's shimm'ring thread soft-tumbling through Your Touch 

Help me remember to picture You at the shuttle where

What looks like trouble's tincture is the answer to a prayer

The Weavers Work of Art I only see in part. Lord, then

Create in me a humbler heart of childlike faith, Amen 

***

Lord, when our hope is shaken by dark hues of circumstance 

When one we love is taken or when courage cannot dance

Beneath the weight of waiting and creature cares that life brings

Rather than hope deflating, lift it up on eagle's wings

Because, what tests faith's valour beyond logic's acumen 

May compose the key colour in Your Masterpiece. Amen

© Janet Martin 

Isn't it awesome to remember God knows what we have need of

even before we ask?! 

How His answers go before us all around the world in a wink! 

Matt. 6:8

...your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

His Love Cannot Fail

Hymn: Since Jesus my Savior

Since Jesus my Savior from sin rescued me

Life's pathway shines brighter because I am free

No harn can befall me though foes should assail

My refuge is Jesus, his love cannot fail.

His love cannot fail. His love cannot fail.

There's no one like Jesus, his love cannot fail.

My heart overflows with a wondrous delight

For Jesus is with me by day and by night

His love ever flowing so boundless and free

It never can fail, 'tis for you and for me.

His love cannot fail. His love cannot fail.

There's no one like Jesus, his love cannot fail

There's no one like Jesus to comfort and bless

There's no one like him in the hour of distress

He knows every trial on life's upward way

His love cannot fail, 'tis a joy day by day.

His love cannot fail. His love cannot fail.

There's no one like Jesus, his love cannot fail.

Singers: Altar of Praise Chorale

Words and music: James M. Black

Plea For Perseverance

To list all the ways today's poem was inspired, is difficult to encapsulate...

But it is a corralling of wonder wakened while pondering Heb.11 &12:1&2

By the showering of love, of sympathy,

from so many caring people, 

of comfort and encouragement shared from God's Word,

By devotions penned for such a time as this...

By the indescribable joy in sorrow 

through the Presence of peace God has promised if/as we trust Him,

through both the physical and spiritual storms and battles of faith/life! 

Let me not balk against faith’s test that I would never choose

Let me not fear what God deems best, nor His request refuse

Behold faith’s cloud of witnesses still surrounds you and me

The riches of God’s promises worth every wait-and-see

Let me not wallow in the why that tries the ties of love

But rather winnow my reply till worship is enough

As faith is drawn from shallows to the deeps of grief and loss

Let me be wholly hallowed by the power of the cross

Though the threshing fork pains me, may it drive away the chaff

Till only God sustains me, as I lean upon hope’s staff

For he who suffered in my stead, the uttermost of Grief

Will accomplish all He has said; ‘Lord, help mine unbelief’

For you have borne the bitter blows that prove who we most love

You grant the test faith undergoes to expose lack thereof

Then, help me not to falter beneath full surrender’s price

But let love be an altar laid with living sacrifice

Willing to suffer present loss for joy waiting to be

Counting it joy to bear the cross to faith’s maturity

Obedient, till Death’s Last Strife, that draws ajar the Door

That leads to everlasting life and joy forevermore

© Janet Martin

James 1:2-4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,

 whenever you face trials of many kinds,

3 because you know that the testing of your faith 

produces perseverance.

4 Let perseverance finish its work 

so that you may be mature and complete, 

not lacking anything.

Only Trust Him-Alan Jackson

Love's Rare Romance

Life is full of trouble and sorrow; joy's startling sweetener!

Sometimes when asked what my favourite Bible verse is

I hardly know which to choose but without a doubt

the verses below (first taught to me as a child by my mother)

rank near the top;

whispered many times as I encounter life's

tug-of-warring-whys-and-no's 

The first part of Prov.3

but esp. verses 5-6 and in my older age also verse 7

Without trouble we would never learn trust.

Without trust we never know true joy and peace

***

Taste the fervor of the hour

Make the most of every flow’r...

Life runs rife with highs and lows

Joy and strife of thorn and rose

Bow before its Lord and pray

Then rise up and seize the day

Taste the fervor of the hour

Make the most of every flow’r

Bear the brunt of fading grass

Everything comes, but to pass

Trace the tender timbre of

Every splendor, every love

Linger where the waning light

Tucks the day beneath goodnight

…cradled in the keeping of

Unfailing goodness and love

While the days-to-years run rife

With laughter and tears of life

Darling, with so much amiss

In the thick of that and this

It takes more than we possess

To muster/master true happiness/holiness

While season to season flows

While reason staggers 'neath blows

While change is a constant rod

Bow before life’s changeless God

Trust in Him with all your heart

Dust to dust sees but in part

But God never leads astray

Bow before him oft, and pray

For the likes of me and you

Have so much to learn, tis true

Pray, we find love's rare romance

Only trust in the Lord grants

Pray we find faith's treasured Must

Sorrow's/trouble's silver lining; trust 

Pray before we start each day

We bow before God and pray

© Janet Martin

Take Time To Be Holy

Did You Think to Pray?

Let Me Live...

Of Flower-Power and End Results

2 Thess.3:5

Now may the Lord direct your hearts 

into the love of God 

and into the patience of Christ.

Sometimes, whether intentionally or not,

 in misfortune, some bring salt to rub in the shoulda-wish-I-woulda-wound.

Others, like my sweet sister, bring hugs and flowers.

Thank-you, Lucy💗

(to you, my gentle readers; never underestimate the power

of a hug and flowers)

Little do we know what circumstance awaits 

to test the readiness of love's reply

But this we do; Emmanuel (God with us) does not fail

 to help the fumbling likes of you and I 

Above an altar fixed beneath our hands and feet, 

God's mercy, new each morning fills the earth and skies 

The sacrifice we bring to Him (or not) 

will prove without a word of explanation,

 what we dearly prize/ where our treasure lies

Last week's 'tests' drew me to scriptures of encouragement to be faithful no matter what!,

This morning (because I am forgetful)  I returned to reread a few posts 

to re-remind me of God's promises!

 Wealth Beyond Measure

Run!

Life, ultimately, is a series of tests, isn't it?!

The true test, in all we dream and seek 

is whether its getting is for the pleasing and benefit of Self

or to bring honour and glory to God, the giver of each life!

Lord, purify my goals, delights and desires today

And waken a more fervent longing to trust You and obey

Lord, forge within my stubborn bent a meeker heart, I pray

 For Thou, Lord, art the Potter, oh, and I, Lord, am the clay

If in the end, it draws a soul to Thee

Lord, let me not despise Thy chastening

But echo these words ‘be it unto me’

Where the day of Thy grace is hastening

If in the end it bears eternal fruit

For Thy Kingdom, power and glory, Lord

And stays me from this world’s deadly pursuit

And saves me from a death none can afford

Then, without regret, worry or complaint

Forbid I cling to what cannot defend

But walk worthy of the call of the saint

If it draws a soul to Thee, in the end

So that Thy love would abound more and more

Confound the beast that does not boast of Thee

And reprimand the pride that you abhor

If in the end it yields humility

© Janet Martin

Glorious reminders in my morning reading today!

Because God Cares (For You and Me)

Therefore humble yourselves

 under the mighty hand of God, 

that He may exalt you in due time,

  7casting all your care upon Him, 

for He cares for you. 

1 Pet.5:6-7

We do not put our trust in the Lord so we will be spared trouble in this broken world,

but rather so that that He can be our confidante and faithful helper and friend.

He does not help us so we can heap up earthly store and live in ease and comfort,

but so we may have comfort and hope that transcends this troubled Temporal;

for hope that is seen is not hope!

We put our trust in the Lord, and cast our cares on Him,

because He is our Saviour and portrayed at Calvary 

how far He would go to prove his love for all humanity.

Have Thine Own Way, Lord

  

It's easy to heap praise to God in a thriving garden 

bursting with goodness over goodness.

Praise was not my first thought, however, on Sunday,

when, during our family reunion our pickup truck was stolen out of our backyard!!

And though, in the grand scheme it is a small loss, it is very inconvenient! 

Unbeknownst to the thief, the theft includes an aluminum extension ladder,

our lawn trimmer, some golf clubs and shoes, stored in the back of the truck,

when we cleaned out our garage for the reunion

 because the forecast was cool, wet and windy!

There's nothing like trouble to test our attitude and gratitude!! 🙏

Because God cares for me and you

We know, whatever life betides

We have a Friend and Helper who

Hears every plea that faith confides

We have a loving Father, true

In spite of obstacles, we meet

An outstretched hand to guide us, through

His Word, a Lamp unto our feet

We have an everlasting hope

Fixed on unfailing promises

To comfort us so we can cope

And let His peace transcend distress

We have One who, for our good

Tries and refines humility

Lest we miss truths we never should

Because God cares for you and me

© Janet Martin

2 Thess. 2 was part of my reading this morning.

The chapter ends with these comforting words to the believer,

after speaking of the apostasy of the last days...

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, 

and our God and Father, who has loved us 

and given us everlasting consolation 

and good hope by grace,

17 comfort your hearts and [i]establish you

 in every good word and work.

God Will Take Care of You

Happiness Masterpiece

Today's post is inspired in part by Rom. 8 and 

 in part by the final chapters of George Mueller of Bristol

(what a testimony his life was/is to the faithfulness of God)

Sometimes we, in our human natured bent want the result/reward

without paying the price of the prize!

we want a fit physique without the workout and exercise.

We want the blessing of obedience without the obedience

The answer to prayer without the praying/waiting/trusting

We want wisdom without the learning/earning

We want harvest without the planting-pruning-growing...

We live in a society where we have easy access to SO much,

to provide instant gratification!

We no longer need to wait and hope we hear our favorite song

we can binge-listen-watch-read-eat-drink, you name it!

It's really quite alarming!

And instead of satisfying the 'beast'

it seems to have the opposite effect! 

Romans 8:5,9

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; 

but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit…

Psalm 143:10

Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: 

thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

No Friend Like Jesus

Sometimes we, in our human bent forget the whole duty of man

Sometimes we become discontent when circumstance provokes the plan

Oh Lord, our gracious God, You care, when faith is overcome with sight 

When we are tempted to despair, Lord, pierce the darkness with your Light 

Sometimes we do not find because we do not seek humility  

Because we do not wholly yield to He who WAS, IS, and WILL BE

The lowliness and holiness of Jesus Christ, is plain to see

Upon a cross He sacrificed Himself to set doomed sinners free 

Sometimes when we don't understand, response does not befit the saint

Instead of keeping love's/God's command we wallow in thankless complaint 

Oh Lord, our gracious God, forgive our often very erring ways

When evidence by how we live does not reflect believer's praise 

Sometimes we, in our human bent fall prey to carnal attitude

Instead of worship we lament; grumbling replaces gratitude

Oh Lord, our gracious God, you see our hearts and love us, nonetheless 

Each morning You hold out the key to true and perfect happiness

The spirit is willing; the flesh is prone to want and reason blurred

Instead of earnest prayer we mesh with logic not found in Your Word

Oh Lord, our gracious God increase sorrow until Your joy complete

Makes happiness a masterpiece of Marys washing/kissing Jesus' feet 

© Janet Martin

Luke 7:36-50

A Sinful Woman Forgiven

36 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him.

 And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. 

37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, 

when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, 

brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 

38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; 

and she began to wash His feet with her tears, 

and wiped them with the hair of her head; 

and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. 

39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, 

he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, 

would know who and what manner of woman this is

 who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”

40 And Jesus answered and said to him,

 “Simon, I have something to say to you.”

So he said, “Teacher, say it.”

41 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors.

 One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.

 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay,

 he freely forgave them both. 

Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”

And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” 

44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman?

 I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet,

 but she has washed My feet with her tears 

and wiped them with the hair of her head. 

45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman 

has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 

46 You did not anoint My head with oil, 

but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.

 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. 

But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves,

 “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50 Then He said to the woman,

 “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

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.”

Gratitude-Quest...

Sometimes love's realities/cruelties/crosses

could wake excuses that could make us bitter...

Oh my Lord, may it never be!!

The Love of God

Lest by bitterness betaken

Lest by prideful boast or greed

Lord, each day let me awaken

To Your mercy for my need

Lest in my pursuits of gladness

I, by reason of a fool

Miss Your goodness, for the madness

Of Want without rod or rule

Lest I trade eternal treasure

And the blessing You bestow

For the very temp’ral pleasure

Of a temporary show

Lord, each day let me awaken

To renewed awareness of

Hope’s sweet confidence unshaken

Anchored in grace, truth, and love

Lest, by my impatient nature

I demand what is not mine

Puffing up my puny stature

In the face of Grace Divine

Lest, by some distorted notion

I perceive rather than trust

And redirect my devotion

From You to idols/merchants of dust

Lest the lure of the beholding

Blinds me to Faith’s surety

Lest the pace of grace unfolding

Heaven, is too hard for me

Lord, each day let me awaken

To Your kind mercy renewed

So that I am overtaken

With nothing, but gratitude

© Janet Martin

Psalm 107:15&31

Oh, that men would give thanks

 to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works

 to the children of men!

Earth's Beginning of Heaven's Eternity

Every so often I love to crank up this song...

it brings a sense of Heaven to earth!

Worship: Earth's beginning to Heaven's Eternity

I Love You Lord

I want to want not anything, save that which teaches me

To sing devotion’s worship hymn with true humility

Lest selfishness and pride take root and vanity applauds

I want to guard against choice fruit offered to lesser gods

How easily a thought can stray from where it ought to be

Fixed on faith’s Confidante and Stay secured at Calvary

To jars of clay, refined through care, hope’s priceless treasure spills

Nothing in this world can compare to what God’s light instills

For what have I of worth to bring save what is given me

To tune devotion’s offering with awed sincerity

To lift a gift of sober joy like a most valued gem

To He who alone doth destroy the shackles that condemn

Oh, help me when I falter Lord, to walk by faith not sight

To lean upon your faultless word to guide my thought aright

For what we have in common ought to gentle fellowmen

Thy sure and sacred summons to Soul’s everlasting Then

Lord, you know all the secrets of each thoughts and heart in full

Help us not to forget to who we are accountable

And live, not for the praise of man but with humility

Begin, in every way we can, worship’s eternity

© Janet Martin

Create in me a clean heart, O God; 

and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

Life; a Rollercoaster Poster

Happy Labour Day!

(Here's hoping mine will soon taste like tomato soup, salsa etc.! )

For this Labour Day I chose these two passages below to remind us to

serve with gladness while letting patience have its perfect work!

SO much easier said than done!!

Psalm 100:2

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, [a]all you lands!

2Serve the Lord with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.

3Know that the Lord, He is God;

It is He who has made us, and [b]not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

4Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

5For the Lord is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations.

James1:4

... let patience have its perfect work,

that you may be [b]perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Oh! The labor pains of patience

before we are perfectly complete and lacking nothing🙏😥💔🙏

Jim's patience is being tested right out of the gates this week!

His high hopes for Happy Labour Day 

 have already taken a plunge; truck troubles

changing 'early start' to 'turn back' !! 😓

If life had to be portrayed with one image 

it would have to be a roller-coaster, right?!

(an image used in yesterday morning's message at WBC)

We can go from being on top of the world to a spiraling plunge in an instant!

and SO many unexpected twists, turns and tunnels!

Aren't you thankful God is steadfast, changeless and faithful no matter what?!

Rollercoaster...

The ups and downs and smiles and frowns of love and life persist

The ebb and flow of boon and blow and high and low repeat

The perfect work of patience lurks at every turn and twist

To teach us how to reach and bow and ‘wash each other’s feet’

Where faith and fear, laughter and tears, dismay and cheers conflict

Where serving God with humble laud makes every task esteemed

Where thick and thin of loss and win and groan and grin’s edict

In due time earns wisdom’s returns in ways we never dreamed

The fruit of toil and root of spoil in close proximity

Tests vim and verve and who we serve; The Apple of our eye

With age-old art reveals the heart with startling clarity

No trick or fence thwarts consequence; no truth can ever lie

Hope and defeat clash and compete; bittersweet battleground

Love’s push and pull not beautiful when felled in broken dreams

Where faith refined appears unkind, where bold doubters abound

Where ‘to serve God with gladness’ is madness to most, it seems

Where ups and downs and smiles and frowns of love and life repeat

Where ebb and flow of boon and blow and highs and lows persist

To teach us how to reach and bow and ‘wash each other’s feet’

The perfect work of patience holds refined gold in its fist

Do not despair; the work of prayer is oft invisible

While we who see in part and He who sees the heart entreat  

Until the awesome consummation of Love's Miracle 

So brutally refined, bows heart, soul and mind at God's feet 

© Janet Martin

What God Hath Promised...

Heaven-bent...

 

Not so enlightened, as to be

Careless with hope’s security

Not so engrossed in earthliness  

I do not prize faith's promises

Not so prosperous I forget

The hungry poor who have no bread

Not so successful as to slide

Into subtle pitfalls of pride

Not so consumed with avarice 

I snub salvation's purchase-price

Not so ingenious I ignore

The One who said ‘I am the Door’

Not so comfortable that I

Am loathe to bid this world good-bye

Not so intent on things below

I have no heaven-wealth to show

No living proof, by quiet deed

Of compassion for those in need

No legacy of self outpoured

As evidence of Christ as Lord

No desire to be poor enough

To treasure most His grace and love

And count all worldly gain as loss

To marvel daily at the cross

To keep in mind, earth's lease is lent

And live each moment, heaven-bent  

© Janet Martin

Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, 

strive for the things above, 

where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

 2Set your minds on things above,

 not on earthly things. 

Col.3:1-2

Where Your Treasure Is