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 

Joy Beyond All Compare

Happy Last Weekend of January 2025...already?!!

Last Sunday evening a much belated birthday celebration was enjoyed

(due to many cold and flu postponements)

in honour of the little lad who turned Jim and I into grandparents!

Happy 8th birthday, Grandson

Ps.40:5

Many, O LORD my God, 

are Your wonderful works which You have done; 

And Your thoughts toward us  

cannot be recounted to You in order;

 If I would declare and speak of them, 

they are more than can be numbered.

(find the whole glorious chapter at the end of this post)

The goldfinch doffed of yellow...

 is a dapper fellow still...

Though winter dims bright colour with a layer of brown twill...

The landscape, green and golden...

 or tucked beneath snowy fleece

Is like a priceless painting; a four-season masterpiece...

 

The heavens as they declare God's glory o'er all the world ...

The bud, arousing wonder for miracles, still unfurled

 Stirs in the human heart a hymn that overflows its brink 

To see God in creation is life's sweetest joy, I think...

In living rooms where laughter celebrates a birthday boy...

(before the ruckus, as little sister from across the table contributed a mighty PUFF!!!)

The goldfinch doffed of yellow is a dapper fellow still

Though winter dims bright colour with a layer of brown twill

The landscape, green and golden or tucked beneath snowy fleece

Is like a priceless painting; a four-season masterpiece 

The heavens as they declare God's glory o'er all the world 

The bud, arousing wonder for miracles, still unfurled

 Stirs in the human heart a hymn that overflows its brink 

To see God in creation is life's sweetest joy, I think

How small and trusting is the hand that tugs on mom and dad

Or Gran and Gramps; how suddenly love makes us humbly glad

For things we dare not forget to thank God for every day

Lest love we take for granted is suddenly drawn away

Wakening us to a more purposed response to God's grace

With ears to hear and eyes to see each other, face to face

In living rooms where laughter celebrates a birthday boy

To see God in our loved ones is surely life's dearest joy

Ah, I am wrong. When laughter's song is turned into a prayer

When sorrow tugs are more than hugs as farewells fill the air 

When teardrops fall and all that we can do is lean on He

Who is a Very Present Help in times of misery

For all who are inducted into ranks of those who mourn

He comforts us; and never fails us when hearts are grief-torn

He who knows love's great suffering does not forsake us there

Ah! to see God in sorrow is joy beyond all compare 

Janet Martin

Ah, I am wrong. When laughter's song is turned into a prayer

When sorrow tugs are more than hugs as farewells fill the air...

Ps.40 BSB (Berean Study Bible)

1 I waited patiently for the LORD;

He inclined to me and heard my cry.

2He lifted me up from the pit of despair,

out of the miry clay;

He set my feet upon a rock,

and made my footsteps firm.

3He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear

and put their trust in the LORD.

4Blessed is the man

who has made the LORD his trust,

who has not turned to the proud,

nor to those who lapse into falsehood.a

5Many, O LORD my God,

are the wonders You have done,

and the plans You have for us—

none can compare to You—

if I proclaim and declare them,

they are more than I can count.

6Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,

but my ears You have opened.b

Burnt offerings and sin offerings

You did not require.

7Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—

it is written about me in the scroll:

8I delight to do Your will, O my God;c

Your law is within my heart.”

9I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;

behold, I do not seal my lips,

as You, O LORD, do know.

10I have not covered up Your righteousness in my heart;

I have declared Your faithfulness and salvation;

I have not concealed Your loving devotion and faithfulness

from the great assembly.

11O LORD, do not withhold Your mercy from me;

Your loving devotion and faithfulness will always guard me.

12For evils without number surround me;

my sins have overtaken me, so that I cannot see.

They are more than the hairs of my head,

and my heart has failed within me.

13Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me;

hurry, O LORD, to help me.

14May those who seek my life

be ashamed and confounded;

may those who wish me harm

be repelled and humiliated.

15May those who say to me, “Aha, aha!”

be appalled at their own shame.

16May all who seek You

rejoice and be glad in You;

may those who love Your salvation

always say, “The LORD be magnified!”

17But I am poor and needy;

may the Lord think of me.

You are my helper and deliverer;

O my God, do not delay.