Haloed Ground

 

John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, 

that in Me you may have peace.

 In the world you will have tribulation;

 but be of good cheer, 

I have overcome the world.”

Oh, the joy of those moments when, like an epiphany

 the message in the treasured age-old 'Christmas Story'

 opens our eyes anew, to wonders as we ponder the

mysteries of God's love...

As we follow the example of Joseph and trust God's word

though we don't understand the beginning from the end!

The Birth of Jesus Matt.1:18-21 BSB

(Isaiah 7:10–16; Luke 2:1–7)

18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: 

His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, 

she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

  19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man 

and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly.

20But after he had pondered these things, 

an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,

 “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, 

for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 

21She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus,d 

because He will save His people from their sins.”

In this world we will have trouble

But we are not doomed to loss

In the dark and hurting rubble

Of life’s trouble, stands the cross

In this world we will have sorrow

But we are not doomed to tears

Faith today is hope tomorrow

In life’s sorrow, Mercy cheers/hears

In this world we will have trials

Dreamlands turned to battlegrounds

But in spite of dream-denials

In life’s trials, grace abounds

In this world we will have testing

High-fives tumbled/humbled by low blows

This is not God’s cruel jesting

In life’s testing, wisdom grows

In this world we will have dark vales

As we walk by faith, not sight

 Love holds a Lamp that never fails

In life’s dark vales, shines His Light

In this world we will have sadness

But, behold hope's haloed ground

God's peace cheers the soul with gladness

In life's sadness, joy is found

 

Janet Martin

Carrie Underwood - Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (Official Audio Video)

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee By Henry van Dyke and Beethoven Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee God of glory Lord of love Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee Opening to the sun above Melt the clouds of sin and sadness Drive the dark of doubt away Giver of immortal gladness Fill us with the light of day All Thy works with joy surround Thee Earth and heaven reflect Thy rays Stars and angels sing around Thee Center of unbroken praise Field and forest, vale and mountain Flowery meadow, flashing sea Singing bird and flowing fountain Call us to rejoice in Thee Thou art giving and forgiving Ever blessing, ever blessed Wellspring of the joy of living Ocean depth of happy rest Thou our Father Christ our Brother All who live in love are Thine Teach us how to love each other Lift us to the joy divine Mortals, join the happy chorus Which the morning stars began Father love is reigning o'er us Brother love binds man to man Ever singing, march we onward Victors in the midst of strife Joyful music leads us sunward In the triumph song of life Melt the clouds of sin and sadness Drive the dark of doubt away Giver of immortal gladness Fill us with the light of day

Free For the Asking

1 Sa.7:12

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen.

 He named it Ebenezer,[a] saying, 

“Thus far the Lord has helped us.

”Read full chapter

1 Samuel 7:12 Ebenezer means stone of help.

Ps.27:14

Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage,

 And He shall strengthen your heart; 

Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Some of the 'sparkle' of joy this Christmas season, feels a bit tarnished

as we think of so many loved ones who are missing loved ones,

then we lift each of them by name to Jesus, our everlasting Helper, 

 Comforter and great joy!

His help, comfort and joy are free for the asking and believing/receiving!

and beyond compare.

What kind comfort to pray

To He who knows all things

Whose Presence is our Help/hope and Stay

Whatever today brings

To wait upon the Lord

May test our patience sore

While discovering the reward

Of trusting all the more

Then, as we trust, our love

Refined through bitter test

Begins to shine the glory of

The One who loves us best

***

God helps us if we ask

He helps us work and rest

And fulfill life's most common task

With zeal, contentment-blessed

He helps us when we lie

On a sick bed; He hears

The whimper of the heart-wept cry

The language of our tears

He helps us, young or old

And bids us, come what may

To discover riches untold

As we trust and obey

When we don't understand

Then yield to dread's alarms

He lifts us with His faithful Hand

To lean upon His arms

What sacred liberty

To ask, and then rely

Upon the Higher Thought of He

Who does not rush reply

Our help in ages past

 Our Rock of Ages still

Our Cornerstone to hold steadfast

Faith, anchored in God's will

Janet Martin

O God, Our Help in Ages Past

Rock of Ages

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Author: Robert Robinson (1758); Alterer: Martin Madan (1760)

1 Come, thou Fount of every blessing;

tune my heart to sing thy grace;

streams of mercy, never ceasing,

call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet,

sung by flaming tongues above;

praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,

mount of God’s unchanging love!

2 Here I raise my Ebenezer;

hither by thy help I’m come;

and I hope, by thy good pleasure,

safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,

wandering from the fold of God;

he, to rescue me from danger,

interposed his precious blood.

3 O to grace how great a debtor

daily I’m constrained to be!

Let that grace now, like a fetter,

bind my wandering heart to thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

prone to leave the God I love;

here’s my heart; O take and seal it;

seal it for thy courts above.

In Spite of Sorrow, Joy...

A bitty Thanksgiving Ditty...

Phil.4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,

 with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

  7and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Be Still My Soul

In spite of sorrow, joy abides

In spite of heartbreak, hope prevails

In spite of turmoil, peace resides

Because God's purpose never fails

Though troubles come, though teardrops fall

We are not crushed or forsaken

This is the pow'r of Christ in all

Who believe in Nis name. Amen

Christ is the crux of every good

The source of joy, hope, peace and love

Until we love/trust Him like we should

Everything else is not enough

Janet Martin

Fernando Ortega - Give me Jesus

No Sweeter Answer

A few favourite verses from Ps.40! 

4-5 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, 

and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Many, O LORD, my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done,

and Thy thoughts which are to usward:

they cannot be reckoned up in order unto Thee;

if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

9...Thou knowest, LORD

11 Withhold not Thou Thy tender mercies from me, O LORD;

let Thy loving kindness and Thy truth continually preserve me...

16 Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad

let such as love thy salvation say continually

 'The Lord be magnified'. 

***

Some sorrows, such as the loss of a loved one, are easily visible.

Others 'only Thou knowest, LORD'

Below photos are from the previously mentioned book-

Making the Most of Life by J.R. Miller

Here a few excerpts from the chapter The Interpretation of Sorrow

Enough to know 'Thou knowest, Lord'

No sweeter answer transcends this;

Though oft love wields grief's rending sword

Still peace past understanding IS

Sorrow would seem a futile lot

No comfort could my heart afford

Without God's truth to cheer my thought

Enough to know, 'Thou knowest, Lord'

So many Lord, outside Thy fold

Unwilling to repent, believe

But prayer doth not slip through Thy hold

You comfort even while I grieve

The benediction of love's cross

Through faith's refining tears outpoured 

Ministers through the pain of loss 

 Joy's gain in this; 'Thou knowest, LORD'

Until the crown of life is won

Until Thou hast Thy last test tried

Help me reply 'Thy will be done'

And 'may the Lord be magnified'

Janet Martin

Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song

Cage-Rattling Joy...

John 16:33

I have told you these things,

 so that in me you may have peace. 

In this world you will have trouble. 

But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

1 Thess.4:13-18

3 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, 

concerning those who have fallen [a]asleep,

lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,

even so God will bring with Him those who [b]sleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive

 and remain until the coming of the Lord 

will by no means precede those who are [c]asleep. 

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, 

with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. 

And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain

 shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 

And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 

18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

***

Imagine if we could not comfort one another with God's words from scripture!

Surely, then life would be a hopelessly fearful undertaking,

each day's impending unknowns dark with dread and discouragement!

SO many tragedies could leave us disillusioned,

 our hearts irreparably broken,

Faith would be crushed with despair,

 but for the treasure of sure hope through the shed blood of Christ!

2 Cor.4:7-9 (read the whole tender chapter HERE)

Now we have this treasure in jars of clay 

to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us. 

8We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed;

 perplexed, but not in despair;

 9persecuted, but not forsaken; 

struck down, but not destroyed.

Where flowers bloom midst dire tides of doom and gloom forecasters spew

Where God's unfailing Word abides; each morning His mercy is new...

Before a fresh burst of unknowns rattles the cage of Time and Place

Where, praise the Lord, faith's stepping stones are set in sands of hope and grace

Where flowers bloom midst dire tides of doom and gloom forecasters spew

Where God's unfailing Word abides; each morning His mercy is new

Where justice will prevail some day so we do not need to despair

Where good or ill, come what yet may, God helps us through each creature-care

Where God, who cares for you and me is greater than faith's crooning foe 

A Very Present Help to we who need His truth and comfort so 

Where we would be deceived without His Word to guide, correct and cheer

And save us from pitfalls of doubt, pride, ignorance, folly and fear 

Where many who have ears are deaf it seems, to thund'ring wonder-storms 

And many who have eyes profess no knowledge of works God performs 

Where all will someday give account to He whose breath of life we draw 

While drinking from a glorious fount of favours that pray, authors awe 

...and courage, to fight the Good Fight, strong, pure and faithful to the end

Armed with the power of God's might and peace thought cannot comprehend

Where, praise the Lord, faith's steppingstones are set in sands of hope and grace

Where joy transcends bursts of unknowns rattling cages of Time and Place

Janet Martin

Where Could I Go-Emmylou Harris 

Dear Lucy...Traces

Yesterday I received a pretty card in the mail

from a dear lady Lucy loved, and who loved Lucy

and we met after her death though I felt like I knew her a little

already through Lucy. 

Thank-you M💕

 I have a number of  new

'Lucy-friends' special in ways I could never have imagined;

Priceless traces of a beautiful life!

Job 7:9-10

9 As a cloud vanishes and is gone,
    so one who goes down to the grave does not return.
10 He will never come to his house again;
    his place will know him no more.

The above verses impress me like never before,

esp. when I drop in at Lucy's place.

Her girls and husband valiantly

perform the domestic duties of home

and things are still neat and tidy

but their place will never again know Lucy's presence

save in tender traces everywhere.

While I was there the other day watching her grandsons while

Granddaughter went to the dentist I puttered about

 sweeping corners where the wind had blown in some debris,

watering planters etc.

'why are you doing this? queried her oldest grandson 

as I swept in front of an ornamental door...

 and I replied

'I'm sweeping the dirt away, just in case Grammy is watching' 

and we waved up, up

to the big yellow and blue sky

 and shouted 'hi'

and he laughed 

and I cried. 

'and' continued her Grandson turning back to the door,

'what is this door even for?!!'

Then I laughed out loud!

How like many males in my life he sounded;

What is the point of a door that doesn't open and leads nowhere 😂😂😂

(It turned out it inspired play-restaurant as he served me

every favourite food I could think of!)

I miss laughing with Lucy till we cried

over things impossible to explain afterward.

I miss sharing prayer-cares, recipes, gardening joys and tips,

a quick 'cuppa' or hearing her rattle off a poem or a quote 

because her memory was amazing!

Her place is filled with traces of loving care

and many have spilled over to my place too.

Last year she brought me a few plants.

Honeysuckle   

and Dipladenia...

 

Beautiful traces of her love for growing things.

This poem was also inspired in  part by something shared

on my friend's FB memory yesterday ...

(the kind of writing Lucy loved and lived)

“There is a beauty in the fragility of life,

a sweetness to be savored in its fleeting moments of joy.

For it is in the rawness of our experiences,

both the joyful and the sorrowful,

that we truly come alive.

We are not meant to shield ourselves from the pain of life,

but to embrace it fully, to let it shape us, to teach us,

to make us more human.

So do not be afraid to love,

to open your heart to the world,

even if it means risking heartbreak.

For the sweetness of love far outweighs the bitterness of loss.

And when the inevitable pain comes,

find solace in the beauty of the world around you,

in the simple pleasures of life,

in the memories of love and laughter.

For even in the midst of sorrow,

there is still beauty to be found.”

—Louise Erdrich

'For the sweetness of love far outweighs the bitterness of loss. '

Yes.

So on we go, cherishing and considering the bittersweet worth of traces

either forever left behind or being forever left behind!

So worth the joy of love

So worth the air we trace

That teems with tender flickers of

A bygone time and face

So worth the letting go

With tears farewell imparts

To trace the sweetness of hello

That echoes in our hearts

So worth the picture book

That wafts upon the breeze

Where oft we pause to trace the crook

Of precious memories

So worth each tender trace

Love scattered in life’s wake

While we discover ‘all is grace’

While our broken hearts ache

So worth the parting kiss

As Time's 'never enough' 

Begins to teach us sorrow is

So worth the joy of love

...so worth the tears that flow

And God gathers in jars

To trace the night with their halo 

(I think we call them stars) 

© Janet Martin

Ps.56:8

You number my wanderings; 

Put my tears into Your bottle; 

Are they not in Your book?

Sometimes, Only When We're Broken...

Until we come to God without any agenda but  'Thy will be done',

comfort cannot begin...

There is nothing like assembling at a graveside

to stir hearts to set priorities into proper perspective...

Much prayerful reflection and contemplation today,

following Cliff's funeral yesterday...

Cliff mentioned HERE

Sometimes sad failure tries to fool me into thinking all is lost

Sometimes love's sorrow comes to school me in lessons I do not want

Sometimes unknowns could make me tremble like a little leaf, wind-tossed

Because impending storms assemble; till I hear above fear's taunt

'Come'

Sometimes, when looking back at struggles, at 'faith's substance' scarred and bent  

Sometimes its weathered tears and troubles forge a gladder countenance 

Because the heart has grown more tender through love's groaning lessons lent

Wakening a once Thoughtless/thankless Spender to Mercy's extravagance 

'Come' 

Fresh courage commits to be braver in the aftermath of loss

Desire's goals seem to grow graver in the shadow of Time's lease 

And dread, that Noose to joy and laughter pales beneath love's suffered cross

 The gentle, scarred Hands of the Grafter, entitles His Masterpiece

'Come' 

Sometimes a tempest-ravaged garden seems a picture of despair 

Where painful pruning veils the guerdon; because such is faith's veneer 

Hark! a sweet, sweet word is spoken like an answer to all prayer

And sometimes, only when we're broken are we still enough to hear 

'Come'

Sometimes, then in the bowed beholding, at a graveside's solemn pose 

As we witness the final folding of dust-to-dust's snuffed façade 

Sometimes then, far from the mad hunger for plunder that death foregoes  

We can hear the silence thunder with the loving voice of God 

'Come' 

Janet Martin 💔🙏

Matt.11:28-29

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; 

for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

 

Matt.14:22-33

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship,

 and to go before him unto the other side, 

while he sent the multitudes away.

  23And when he had sent the multitudes away, 

he went up into a mountain apart to pray: 

and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

  24But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: 

for the wind was contrary.

  25And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, 

walking on the sea.

  26And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea,

 they were troubled, saying,

 It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 

27But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying,

  Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28And Peter answered him and said,

 Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 

29And he said, Come. 

And when Peter was come down out of the ship,

 he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 

30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid;

 and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 

31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him,

  O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 

33Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, 

Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

Come, Thou Fount of every Blessing

Come Unto Me

Come, Gracious Spirit

Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy

Come to Jesus

A Long Joy-Song or Before The World Began

John 17:1-5

“Father, the hour has come. 

Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 

2 For you granted him authority over all people 

that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 

3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, 

the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 

4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 

5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory 

I had with you before the world began...

***

Someday we will enter eternity,

where there will be no time constraints on our joy song!

where poetry won't be criticized for being 'too wordy' or long,

and where no words will be needed

to worship our Saviour!

Hallelujah!

ready? Set...Go!!

The past weekend had many 'glad' moments

but all pale in comparison to the reason for the Easter-season!

This was the Easter sunrise!

(I would have loved to do this post on Easter morning but

dinner-prep and early church service kept me hopping!)

He makes me glad; no eloquence of loving speech can tell

Salvation’s joy, blood-bought; enough to cheer my soul full-well

Wonder confounds thought’s finite scope; awe utters ‘what is man

That Triune God would anchor Hope before the world began?’

He makes me glad; praise He from whom redemption’s wellsprings roar

When I confess my sin, mercy remembers it no more

Though I have played the harlot and Judas, He loved me so

Though my sins were as scarlet; He has washed me white as snow

He makes me glad; I shall not want because at Calvary

He bore the cross, its gore and taunt and sword, to set me free

Obedient to death, to prove the power of His Name

He rose again; He overthrew death and hell’s hopeless claim

He makes me glad; joy bids me sing in awed humility

O death, where is thy sting, O grave, where is thy victory

Thanks be to God who gives us victory through Jesus Christ

Who saw beyond the agony of his Son, sacrificed

He makes me glad; God knew His will would prosper in His hand

And only Jesus could fulfill salvation’s grim demand

He saw the Light of life proclaimed through horrors humbly braved

The power of the only name whereby man can be saved

The Name above all names, the King of kings and Lord of lords

Jesus! Sin’s outpoured offering God’s gift of grace affords

He makes me glad; though oft we grieve this world’s darkness-filled boast

For all who repent and believe receive the Holy Ghost

He makes me glad for what eye has not glimpsed nor ear yet heard

Nor entered into human hearts the things God has prepared

For all who love Him, truly love with heart, soul, strength and mind

Whose affections are set above this world’s vain glory-grind

He makes me glad; though all else fails God is not overthrown

He is not mocked, His truth prevails; by fruit the tree is known

And though many are sick and weak, by His goodness unstirred

He looks with favour on the meek who tremble at His word

He makes me glad; though oft I rue the tempter’s cunning vice

Accomplishing mad blindness to salvation’s purchase price

Not of silver or gold but blood; the precious blood of He

Who satisfied the wrath of God through love’s divine decree

He makes me glad, though often love makes me too sad to laugh

He understands the tear-filled trove I lift on their behalf

So many Gospel-unshod feet, no faith to make them whole

Fearless, though unprepared to meet the Saviour of their soul

He makes me glad; goodness and mercy follow me always

His comfort strengthens tenderly and fills my heart with praise

For He has made me glad; my prayer, my joy cries ‘what is man

Oh God, You knew the cross was there before the world began’

© Janet Martin

Eph.1:3-6

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. 

4For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world

 to be holy and blameless in His presence. 

In love 5He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ,

 according to the good pleasure of His will, 

to the praise of His glorious grace,

 which He has freely given us in the Beloved One.

1 Pet.1:18-19

For you know that it was not with perishable things 

such as silver or gold that you were redeemed 

from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors,

 but with the precious blood of Christ,

 a lamb without blemish or defect.

Jesus Paid It All