Love Lyric

Looking forward to another wedding this week (my niece)!

Maybe that's what is drawing me to contemplate the

many-splendored thing;

Love

💝

From the bud of love’s increase

Emerges a glorious flower...

Love scatters the seeds that grow into flowers in the garden of life...

Warren Wiersbe — 'Truth without love is brutality, and love without truth is hypocrisy.'

1 John 4:7

Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. 

Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:16

God is love; whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

In most of the lines in this poem the word 'love' 

could be replaced with the word 'God'

💗🙏

Love rises to the occasion

Fits us for life’s best and worst

Love's resounding adoration

Honors He who loved us first

Love elicits awestruck wonder

Love compels us to proceed

No matter what we encounter

Love will supply our need

Love equips us for each hour

From the bud of love’s increase

Emerges a glorious flower

Faith and hope and joy and peace

Love defies mind's comprehension

Love is oft misunderstood

Because Divine Intervention

Is love working greater good

Love conquers hate’s bitter rancor

In the eye of conflict’s gale

Love is like a steadfast anchor

That will never shift nor fail

Love is gentle, kind and humble

Love is thankful, patient, true

Love does not covet or grumble

Love is God in me and you

Love is a foretaste of Heaven

True love is always enough

By Love's grace we are forgiven

Love is God and God is love

Lord, if all else fails, love never

Let this be faith's comfort sweet

Nothing in this world can sever

Us from love and joy complete

© Janet Martin

It is impossible to truly love

yet disregard God.

To live a loving life is to live an obedient life.

To live in obedience to His commands is true love.

Sometimes love is falsely accused of hate 

because it does not approve or praise 

the disregard to God's Commandments.

Jesus reminds us in the passage below how to love...

John 15:9-17

Love and Joy Perfected

 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 

 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, 

just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, 

and that your joy may be full.  

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 

 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 

 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 

 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing;

 but I have called you friends, 

for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.  

You did not choose Me, but I chose you 

and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, 

and that your fruit should remain, 

that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 

 These things I command you, that you love one another.

Next door the big tent is coming down.

The Big Event (wedding) is over 

...and though there may be an emotional letdown

after so much excitement and planning 

Love transcends the temporary!

So joy abides because

Love bears all things, 

believes all things, 

hopes all things, 

endures all things.

Love never fails

1 Cor.13:7-8

More Contemplations on Love

Love, be glorious as a sunrise

Beauty void of vanity...

Love, be glorious as a sunrise

Beauty void of vanity

Newness in spite of spent ages

Hope's gentle humility

Love, be lovely as a flower

Broken bud to beaming laud

Blooming where our feet are planted

Giving all glory to God

Love, be like a ship, seaworthy

Fit to weather stormy gale

Trust the Captain for the journey

He is good and will not fail

Love, be like a lilting fountain

Love be like a joyful song

Love be like the One who suffered

Though He committed no wrong

Love, be like a fearless soldier

Love, be like a warrior’s shield

Like a vineyard or an orchard

Gleaming with opulent yield

Love, be sobriety's laughter

Not the wino's loosened tongue

Be a role model, trustworthy

A kind mother to the young

Love, be like a mighty ocean

Love, be like a little seed

Stun us with the potent power

Of small scattered word and deed

Love, be like an earnest offering

On the altar of today

Labour not for acquisitions

That in death will fade away

Love, do not become disheartened

When the call would cast thee down

Remember the One who showed us

First the cross and then the crown

© Janet Martin

Phil.2:1-4

Therefore if you have any encouragement 

from being united with Christ, 

if any comfort from his love,

 if any common sharing in the Spirit,

 if any tenderness and compassion, 

then make my joy complete by being like-minded, 

having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 

  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.

  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

  not looking to your own interests 

but each of you to the interests of the others.

Oh, Glorious Pangs of Love

So many of us have loved ones not within arms or quick car-ride's reach...

Oh, what a gift to love enough to suffer its glorious pangs!

Our grand-kiddos other set of grandparents live an airplane flight away

so needless to say, they suffer the kind of pangs

possible only by beautiful love!

We miss our Nova Scotia family too💕

The 'other gramma' has become a dear friend of mine

so this poem was inspired by the Afterward of her recent visit💖💘

(Pics used with permission. photo credit: Emily Curry)

Oh, glorious pangs of love

No sorrow is so sweet

The heart is like a treasure trove

As smiles and tears compete

Where, though our paths may part

It holds in its embrace

Love’s everlasting works of art

That nothing can erase

Oh, glorious pangs of love

What tender weight to bear

The bitter-sweetest banter of

Echoes upon the air

Where once upon a day

The joy of you and me

Became what none can steal away

A cherished memory

Oh, glorious pangs of love

May we all be so blessed

As to never get quite enough

Time with those we love best

Then, though farewells must be

As you and I must part

May memory’s kind company

Soothe sorrow’s stinging smart

How oft it warms my heart

To picture God above

And how He too must ache and smart

With glorious pangs of love

While counting down The Toll

That draws us through the Door

Where He unveils love’s sweetest goal

Together Evermore

© Janet Martin

Role Call or Perfectly Placed

Above all, our role in love is to trust and obey!

Trust and Obey Vagle Bros.

No confession of loving laud

However great or grand

Absolves obedience to God

The two go hand in hand

No matter who we are, my love

However great or small

No one is super-star enough

To disregard love’s call

True love is not proven in speech

But with meek reverence

Love is the action that will teach

Humble obedience

The role we all are called into

Begins at Calvary

Where love bears witness to One who

Taught through humility

Do not let love despair, dear one

His commands are not hard

When we keep our eyes fixed on

Love’s Leading Hands, nail-scarred

When we receive God's gift of grace

When hearts meeken in awe

How sacred is our perfect place

As love fulfills God’s law

© Janet Martin

Food for Thought;

In today's churches

Are there too many silent men because

there are too many speaking women

or

are there too many speaking women because

there are too many silent men?

Did feminism progress in the church because

good women stepped in where good men did not

or did good men step aside/get 'nudged' aside

 in the order of their God-ordained rank

when women whose intentions were for good

stepped out of their God-ordained order?

1 Cor.11

1 Cor.14:26-39

1 Tim.2

Male or female, we have equal value in the eyes of God

 but we have very sacred and differing roles!

Titus 2:1-8

You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.

 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect,

 self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live,

 not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.

 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 

5 to be self-controlled and pure,

 to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, 

so that no one will malign the word of God.

6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 

7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good.

 In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 

8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, 

so that those who oppose you may be ashamed 

because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Romans 8:7

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God;

 for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

John 14:23-24

Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word;

 and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; 

and the word which you hear is not Mine 

but the Father's who sent Me.

Love's Crown

This morning's love-letter from God was gold-gilt-etched 💗💖

Happy Valentine's Day!

For a beautiful love story click this link

to todays Daily Bread Devotion

(I just learned what an octogenarian is!)

Many waters cannot quench love.

Song of Songs 8:7

Oh-ho this hard      -knock, soft-kiss,

 flying-falling dosey-doe... Oh-    ho  this happy, hurting holding on 

and letting go...Oh-ho this yearning-learning-earning wisdom starred and scarred...

No easy street to crown the ups and downs on love’s postcard...Oh-ho this giving-taking, 

caring-sharing quite-a-fight... Oh-ho this multitude of sorrows to sweeten delight... Oh-ho,

 the humble joy of feeling like our hearts could burst... Becomes the Prize that crowns

 love’s sacrifice of others first... Oh-ho, we are so startled by how much 

true love can hurt... Oh-ho, the heart holds artwork made 

of diamonds set in dirt... Oh-ho, what we know 

about love leaves us both vexed 

      and awed... At ups and

 downs boundlessly

crowned with

the kind 

love of 

God

<3

© Janet Martin

(or traditional stanza form)

Oh-ho this hard-knock, soft-kiss, flying-falling dosey-doe

Oh-ho this happy, hurting holding on and letting go

Oh-ho this yearning-learning-earning wisdom starred and scarred

No easy street to crown the ups and downs on love’s postcard

Oh-ho this giving-taking, caring-sharing quite-a-fight

Oh-ho this multitude of sorrows to sweeten delight

Oh-ho, the humble joy of feeling like our hearts could burst

Becomes the Prize that crowns love’s sacrifice of others first

Oh-ho, we are so startled by how much true love can hurt

Oh-ho, the heart holds artwork made of diamonds set in dirt

Oh-ho, what we know about love leaves us both vexed and awed

At ups and downs boundlessly crowned with the kind love of God

© Janet Martin

Or this...

Oh-ho this hard-knock, 

soft-kiss, 

flying-falling 

dosey-doe

Oh-ho this happy, 

hurting 

holding on 

and letting go

Oh-ho this yearning-

learning-

earning wisdom 

starred and scarred

No easy street 

to crown 

the ups and downs 

on love’s postcard

Oh-ho this giving-taking,

caring-sharing 

quite-a-fight

Oh-ho this multitude 

of sorrows 

to sweeten 

delight

Oh-ho, the humble joy 

of feeling 

like our hearts 

could burst

Becomes the Prize 

that crowns 

love’s sacrifice 

of others first

Oh-ho, we are so startled 

by how much 

true love 

can hurt

Oh-ho, the heart 

holds artwork 

made of diamonds 

set in dirt

Oh-ho, what we know 

about love 

leaves us 

both vexed 

and awed

At ups and downs 

boundlessly crowned 

with the kind 

love of God

© Janet Martin

Of Footfall Frames

Each day is a 'footfall frame'! (no! not a football game. that's in a few weeks)😅

May we pay careful attention to the echoes we are composing

that will fill its frame tonight and eventually the frame of a lifetime!

Today a man I worked for, for eight years in days gone by, Merlen Kropf is being laid to rest.

Due to ongoing covid-restriction making traditional funerals impossible,

many will pay tribute to him by lining the streets of his hometown as the funeral procession passes.

We all have our own set of precious memories to accompany our tears...

And even though he lived to a ripe old age, 

Numbered Days is such a brief stage!

While I was employed by him

Merlen honoured me by taking a genuine interest in my love for writing poetry.

(a very busy businessman! Can you believe it?!)

Below is one from the archives that they put in their Christmas grocery flyer.

He often invited me to write something at Christmas for the flyer 

or the L&M Christmas Banquet 

one of those poems being In Search of Christmas Day,

many years later recorded by Scott Woods Band

I loved taking great pride in the instore bakery showcases and shelves

Below, photos of a few old photo-album pages

(And as I met Merlen occasionally throughout the following years

he took such a kind interest in my life/family

 and paid many beautiful compliments!)

Death makes us ponder more somberly

 the footfalls we are leaving behind

(doesn't it?!!) 

on this common ground of today!

This, while a Freedom Convoy rolls toward Ottawa

and passions are running at all-time highs in many Canadian breasts...

'God keep our land glorious and free'

as we are all part of a Convoy rolling toward eternity!

What/Who is fueling our cause?!!

The footfalls of a cast soon Past are rolling through the land

Where choice becomes the voice that draws its pictures in time’s sand

Where recompense of consequence always follows the act

No matter how we try to thwart the matters of this fact

Then pray as we step onto dawn’s fresh stage beneath our feet

For love, more kind and tender love for everyone we meet

How easily we prove by choice, what whets our appetites

As we move toward finish lines where we have set our sights

Desire is a fire that burns in each one of us

While morning unto morning turns into The Day That Was

Then pray desire’s flames are fueled not by spite or greed

But by love, kind and tender love for we of common need

The rise and fall of reason rolls with the call of the cause

Where carriages of Deathless Soul are like frail wisps of gauze

That appear for a little while and then we are no more

The echo of footfalls soon muffled by Now’s crowds that roar

Then pray, as each today is soon snuffed by a starry sea

For love, more kind and tender love to be our legacy

How long the Aftermath of Moment holds its frozen sway

How ever-so-important is the toll of day-to-day

Where, God, not time, is on our side and works for our good

If we love Him; then pray we love each other like we should

Before this life God grants becomes ‘their’ flood of tears that brim

Where how we love each other proves the love we have for Him

© Janet Martin

This verse is included at the end of Merlen's obituary

For God so loved the world

that He gave his only begotten Son

that whosoever believes in Him should not perish

but have everlasting life

John 3:16

Oh pray our lives may mirror His love in us

to our fellowman!

Matt.5:43-48

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor ⁱ and hate your enemy.’

 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

 45that you may be children of your Father in heaven. 

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, 

and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 

46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? 

Are not even the tax collectors doing that?

 47And if you greet only your own people,

what are you doing more than others? 

Do not even pagans do that? 

48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Life's Crown Jewel

This poem-title was a bit difficult to settle on;

Love's Workday-Wow

Carousel of Great Escape

The Way of Day-to-Day

Precious Commonplace

Crown Jewel of the Precious Commonplace

and Life's Crown Jewel

Is that the sign of a mediocre poem/poet?😅

Not sure, but the topic and heart of this poem is anything but!

It is written to remind us to love well and cherish dearly

 our loved ones today, right here, right now!

Yesterday, a family in this community lost a 20 yr. old son in a tragic accident.

In 2018 they lost a 24. yr. old son in another horrific accident.

Our hearts break for this family's loss and constant sorrow...

As a mother of adult children I am still dumbfounded by how fast those

sometimes seemingly tedious years flew by!

As a gramma I am seeing time accelerates

rather than slows, 

so to all of us wherever in love's lessons we are;

cherish!

This was supper a year ago...

no matter how hard I look at the picture I can't taste it!

We can only taste what is on offer today.

Cherish.

The way of day-to-day unfurls the rise and fall of years

A carousel of seasons twirls around and disappears

As moments slip through our embrace like jewels from a trove

That would quite oft feel commonplace but for one treasure; love

This life we live, of ups and downs, without love would be drear

A narrative of smiles and frowns devoid of joy or cheer

But with sweet love, the Here and Now, though heaped with much to learn

Surprises us; love’s workday-wow finds God at every turn

Dear mother, in the thick of training up a little child

Time cuts its target to the quick; where wick of youth burns wild

Then do not wish to haste the rise and fall of shadows cast

But cherish well the darling prize that flies from arms too fast

God, help us see beyond the cape and shape of task and such

A Carousel of Great Escape whirls beneath common touch

Then help us rediscover love ere seasons slip away

To startle us with echoes of little children at play

…where Way of Day-to-Day unfurls a world of yesteryears

Where little boy’s and little girl’s sweet childhood disappears

As moments slip through our embrace like jewels from a trove

Making precious, the commonplace with life's crown jewel; love

© Janet Martin

The reason I use the verse below repeatedly

is because it bears repeating!

(we are such a forgetful breed)

This is the day the Lord has made.

We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

For Better or For Worse Love's Fool-proof Evidence

There is only one fool-proof instruction manual for love:

God's Word, The Holy Bible

There is only one perfect example of love:

God's Son, Jesus

There is only one name above every name:

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place

and gave Him the name above all names,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Phil.2:9-11

...for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men,

1 Kings 8:39

...for the Lord searches all hearts, 

and understands every intent of the thoughts.

1 Chron.28:9

...for God sees not as man sees, 

for man looks at the outward appearance, 

but the Lord looks at the heart.”

1 Sam.16:7

(A perk of not finishing a morning post till tot is in for an afternoon nap?

some lunch snapshots.😊)

Pots and pans can help us cook up quite a visually-appealing lunch-feast!

(I am always astonished at how a mountain of spinach

disappears when cooked)

This medley of stir-fried onion, green and red sweet peppers,

 celery, carrot and spinach

 topped with a scoop of quinoa, 

a splash of soy sauce

and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds was yummy!

For the first time I cooked un-gummy quinoa

thanks to this post;

How to cook perfect quinoa

😋

Besides pots-and-pans feasts,

Thoughts of man can cook up quite a feast too!

Whether with mind or mouth, 

we become what we regularly feast on.

For better of for worse God knows the intent of the heart

He sees beneath façade of skin that clothes the counterpart

Of longing’s smart and rebel pride,

Of cupid’s dart and dreams denied

His tender gaze beholds the ways of mortal’s mental art

We soon expose, in spite of clothes the thought-guests that we host

The ilk of word and deed soon shows what God/gods we love the most

By what we boast and what we crave

By who we toast astride the grave

By how one lives the Now grace gives; Heaven or earth-engrossed

When circumstance upsets The Plan, when tolerance is tried

When song and dance of fellowman obstructs the prudent stride

For better or for worse God knows

Whether we bless or curse want’s woes

Without a word the heart is heard and seen; nowhere to hide

The intent of the heart becomes tomorrow’s testaments

A catalyst of sacred crumbs scattering recompense

Where, someday we will give account

For seeds that spill from fleeting fount

To strew behind, from heart and mind, love’s fool-proof evidence

© Janet Martin

The Greatest of These Is Love

Love never fails.

1 Cor.13:8

The greatest of these is love.

1 Cor.13:13

But what a battleground love bestows...

Matt.22:36-40

Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God 

with all your heart 

and with all your soul 

and with all your mind.’[a] 

38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 

39 And the second is like it:

 ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 

40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

The challenge...1 John 2:15-17

Do not love the world 

or the things in the world. 

If anyone loves the world, 

the love of the Father is not in him. 

16For all that is in the world—

the lust of the flesh, 

the lust of the eyes, 

and the pride of life—

is not of the Father but is of the world.

  17And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; 

but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Love is always a daunting topic to try to tackle

and tame into ink-jots...

But love forgives love's shortcomings and stumbles/fumbles

Love is patient and kind.

Love is life's greatest joy and sorrow~

Esp. a mother's love...

This poem by Helen Steiner Rice captures it so eloquently...

So, here's to another day of learning to love!

Yesterday a few friends/moms gathered

around a beautiful table set with tea and treats and

shared among many things

 some heart-to-heart hopes and hurts of love.

I could kick myself for not getting a picture

of her thoughtfully, beautifully laid table!

I did get a few pictures of her pretty windows though.

Love breaks barriers, mends bridges

Lends a willing, helping hand

Wakes us to mercies God gives us

Fits us for each day’s demand

Startles us with sweet contentment

When gratitude conquers greed

Surrenders futile resentment

In the light of fellow-need

Love gives life its fullest fortune

Overflowing treasure stores

That will be unveiled in heaven

After earth closes its doors

Love is a double-edged saber

Sparking duals constantly

Is it ‘God first then my neighbor’

If I test love honestly?

Love is foolproof faith in action

The fulfillment of God’s call

Proving its foremost attraction

By who we serve first of all

Love is patient, kind and humble

Love is not vile and uncouth

Love does not delight in evil

But rejoices in the truth

Love is not a careless pledger

Not given to reckless mirth

Love is conscious of a ledger

That records our days on earth

Thus, Love oft must test thought’s impulse

Probe beneath first-glance façade

To the heart of motive’s scruples

Love of self or love of God

© Janet Martin

Of Fellow-tree

 

Love sometimes may seem harsh at first, but true love 

does not leave truth or untruth untouched

 just as a doctor would not

leave the patient unwounded to spare them initial pain

thus not ridding them of the deadly growth within... 

or just as an arborist knows

 a healthy tree requires pruning

Because this tree has not been faithfully pruned

and cared for its fruit is misshapen and blight-pocked

(I have never been very educated in apple tree care) 

How diligently love's students should study God's Word,

(love's instruction book) because its author IS Love

Otherwise unawares we may be blind to the truth 

about love

and grace

 and truth...

Luke 6:39

And He spoke a parable to them: “Can the blind lead the blind?

 Will they not both fall into the ditch?

1 Sam.15:22

To obey is better than sacrifice,

and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

True love does not praise and condone displays of disobedience

Nor does it cast a verbal stone, but prays that the sinner repents

For none are righteous, without He who saves us, not by works, but grace

Then, with kindest humility, may love mirror our Saviour’s face

Pity the one who, yet deceived, believes sin’s wage is life, not death

Where lust’s desire has conceived, and birthed sin, pray with earnest breath

That honest love is brave enough to cut with tenderness and care

Rather than fear they think love gruff, thus leaving deadly cancer there

Love is patient and kind but never winks at gates where vice creeps in

Lest by such lie it aids to blind and bind the sinner to the sin

But love, with careful conscience prays for grace and truth’s duality

To wake the one who disobeys; by the fruit God will know the tree

Love cares about a fellow-tree not bent with harvest sound and good  

And braves the possibility of love being misunderstood

By asking God to fill the cup we lift with kind humility

So love would open up  the eyes, still rebel-blind, to look and see

© Janet Martin

Love Does Not Promise Easy Street...

 

Love does not promise Easy Street

Or lap of luxuries

But pulls plans from beneath our feet

To bring us to our knees

Love, though a many-splendored thing

Kindling desire’s sighs

Soon startles dreamers with the sting

Of ashes in our eyes

Love hones hearts to humility

With others first in mind

In the face of hostility

Love is patient and kind

No matter what thrills and delights

It will not be enough

Until we set our keenest sights

On learning how to love

The lifelong scholarship of love

Would drain all grin and grit

But for the faultless Promise of

The One who authored it

By loving grace and discipline

He helps us all life through

To wear the shoes that we are in

With purpose, glad and true

  

Then, when the gold of love runs blue

And snuffs the wishing star

Love is not something that we do

But something that we are

  

© Janet Martin

Col.3:14-15

And above all these put on love, 

which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 

 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, 

to which indeed you were called in one body. 

And be thankful.

Crux of Compulsion...

 

Whether to the beat of a city street...

or beneath blue-eyed smile of a country mile

...something compels us to keep trying!

What compels us to keep trying

What propels us on and up

On front-lines of selfless dying

What refurbishes life’s cup

What makes sacred, duty’s mission

And its yoke of common task

What kindles renewed ambition

As morn pours from mercy’s flask

What brings purpose and devotion

To life’s daily grind and fuss

What adds music to the motion

Pray, is it Christ’s love in us?

He, who makes us new, while living

He who died then rose again

Does His love, kind and forgiving

Compel us to follow Him

© Janet Martin

For the love of Christ compels us…

2 Cor.5:14

Through highs and lows

God's grace bestows

all that we need,

My dear,

to succeed!

Whether to the beat

of a city street

or beneath blue-eyed smile

of a

 country mile

Whether street-light bright

or star-light dim

All walks of life 

eventually

lead to Him

Janet~