Simply Profound

Happiest of Weekend to you

as you/we rediscover and explore 

the eternal wonder of 

Love,

making worthwhile 

every mile

every smile, 

every tear, 

every task

And stunning us 

with so much more

Than we could think of ask

-ing for...

This not-so-secret ingredient

makes mundane 'musts' an honor to perform

Suddenly because of love

joy takes the heart by storm

as wonder wakens worship

and worship begins to brim

turning the very common chore

to hallelujah-hymn 

Today's chores include potluck prep for

tomorrow's lunch...

It makes the sacred difference

In everything we face

The action and the consequence

Humbled and honed by grace

It heaps the heart with thankfulness

And softens Want’s reply

With a replenished happiness

That money cannot buy

It sweetens would-be commonplace

And purifies intent

And tunes the motive in life’s race

With awe and compliment

It is simple, yet so profound

Cheering pauper and king

It turns time into holy ground

And sweetens suffering

...because its joy runs rife with pain

Yet none can get enough

Of what none can fully explain

The greatest of these; love

© Janet Martin

Love equips/compels us to willingly walk

where without it, we would not

1 Cor.13:13

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; 

but the greatest of these is love.

2 Cor.5:14-15

For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: 

that if One died for all, then all died; 

15and He died for all, that those who live 

should live no longer for themselves,

 but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Law/Awe of Love

There is nothing glamorous or sensational 

when it comes to humble, faithful obedience.

Look at the cross!!

No wild applause praises the Living Sacrifice.

Often it is not beautiful to behold!

Yet, only careful, diligent obedience to His commands 

makes manifest our declarations of love for God

Today as in the days of Moses, the condition of 

God's blessing remains the same...

James 1:25

But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it,

 and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, 

this one will be blessed in what he does.

How can His Word be in our mouths and hearts? 

By familiarizing ourselves with it/Him.

How do we do that? Only one way.

By spending time in his Word/with God.

then what happens?

More love for Him.

An awe-struck love

 yielding a willing, humble obedience!

for we serve best/most what/who we love best/most

How often I/we fail!!

but oh, pray failure will not drive us to despair

but rather to repentant prayer, to confess our sins

to He who is faithful and just to forgive them 

and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

...and then, re-impacted with awe for God's grace, on we go,

not in lawless living but in the law of liberty/love!

Re-impact us with awe

Impress upon our hearts

The wonder of the law of love

That serving You imparts

Renew our minds, oh Lord

So, we may test and prove

The righteousness that will confess

The perfect law of Love

The law that binds love's wounds

The law of liberty 

The law that stands on the commands

Of old eternally 

Delight us with your Word

And thus, complete our joy

With the increase of hope and peace

That nothing can destroy

With heart and soul and mind

Let love’s agenda be

Diligence in obedience

With glad humility

Re-impact us with awe

For love’s redeeming vow

And the reward we press toward

When at Thy feet we bow

…when at Thy feet we bow

By utter awe undone

The mysteries of Your grace and love

Unveiled around Thy throne

© Janet Martin

Romans 2:13
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God,

 but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous.

Romans 8:2
For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life 

set you free from the law of sin and death.

The chaos, confusion, and curse of disobedience

(lack of reverence and love for God) 

speaks for itself

💔🙏😢

More Love to Thee

All In This Together

(Oh!! as I worked on this post I realized those first few flakes were but the prelude...)

This morning we return to a more monochromatic canvas

after, for 2023, a record-breaking three mornings in a row

of marmalade-hued morn!

We are all in this together

Universal farandole

Until God unties the tether

Twixt the body and the soul

From first breath we start to weather

Mankind’s fundamental plight

Where we, all in this together

All are precious in God’s sight

Sometimes we don’t treat each other

Quite as kindly as could be

Where we, all in this together

Are like a big family

Time wafts like a silver feather

Morn spills in marmalade hue

To we, still in this together

Not yet severed by death’s due

Then let us love one another

Before pray, it is too late

For we, all in this together

Are approaching Farewell’s Gate

What a gift it is to weather

Life together, by God's grace

Before He unties the tether

Twixt our bodies and His face

What a lot we have in common

All in this together, we

While we await God's sure summons

Are a worldwide family 

© Janet Martin

Thank-you, pear-picker in South Africa...

Banana-grower in Guatemala ...

Tea-harvester in China...

Dish manufacturer in Luxembourg...

Coffee-mug artist in the UK...

John 15:17
This is My command to you: Love one another.

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. 

Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.

Romans 13:8
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love.

 For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:10
Love does no wrong to its neighbor.

 Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Law of Love

Romans 13:8-10

Owe no one anything except to love one another, 

for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 

9 For the commandments,

 “You shall not commit adultery,” 

“You shall not murder,”

 “You shall not steal,” [a]

“You shall not bear false witness,”

 “You shall not covet,” 

and if there is any other commandment, 

are all summe

d up in this saying, namely,

 “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 

10 Love does no harm to a neighbor;

 therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Romans 2:13
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God,

 but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous.

By the grace of God alone we are able to

keep love's law!

Love, sometimes sweet as chocolate-hearts...

But more often, a blood and tear stained cross...

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross...

The law of love

Amends the wrong

Befriends the poor

And suffers long

It bears all things

Defends the truth

Rebukes the sin

With kind reproof

It cautions thought

Soon turned to deed

And weighs quick want

With humble need

It tests the root

‘ere seeds are sown

For by the fruit

The tree is known

It does not boast

It is not proud

A gentle host

Not vain or loud

It does not start

Feuds and debates

But, with meek heart

It prays and waits

...and does not seek

What crowds applaud

But helps the weak

And honors God

Whose law is love

Whose love will be

The living proof

Of 'Christ in me'  

© Janet Martin

Gal.2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live,

 but Christ lives in me. 

The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, 

who loved me and gave himself for me.

Precious (Un)Commonplace

There is nothing like sorrow for those who are suffering

to make one more aware of the spectacular beauty/grandeur of what we might dare

to call Ordinary or Commonplace!! 

Canvases of what at first glance may appear quite 'commonplace'

Are like gifts  from an Artist who entitles each print 'grace'...

These are  not simply chores.

They are gifts of grace.

This is not simply dinner. It is a gift of grace 

(esp. when there is someone to share it with!!)

In light of loss and disappointment, Commonplace confounds

Life is beheld through meeker eyes; Ordinary astounds

Where beauty knows no bounds; the earth and its fulness thereof

Compelling us to pay more kind and tender heed to love

In light of love misunderstood, love buffers bitter blows

And though the glove is pierced with thorns, the stem is crowned with rose

Whose beauty grows more fair-of-face as we begin to see

In Commonplace, sweet grace and mercy’s grand epitome

In light of dreams-never-come-true we view through thankful(er) sighs

The ground beneath our feet rife with extravagance to prize

Of hands to hold and tots to kiss, of gifted day-to-day

No Ordinariness is This which steals our breath/life away

In light of what we cannot keep, commonplace strikes a chord

That stirs a sweeping melody from deeps bereft of word

To make us gape at what we would take for granted somehow

But in the light of loss and such we touch and taste with ‘wow’!

© Janet Martin

Prepping for a few Valentine festivities with tots tomorrow...

                                              

Until We Kiss The Hands That Hold Us...

Evil in its lowest forms of hatred for God,

in shameless applause for sin!

Disasters that destroy and wreak unfathomable havoc and grief

oh God! We cry and You hear!

Psalm 18:6

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

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

David's new release feels like perfect timing

Our thoughts and prayers are with many suffering, 

esp. those in the earthquake aftermath

in Turkey and Syria

Great Are You, Lord

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

Life, but a valley of despair where tragedies unfold

Hope, a hollow oblation in the station of the mind

Seeking sweet consolation, it can never fully find

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

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

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

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

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

Without unfailing promises to cheer our weary dust

To comfort us because we know He never leads astray

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

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

Behold his hands, how they are scarred because of Calvary

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

May undeservedly partake of pardon’s perfect plan

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

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

Where redemption enfolds us and hope anchors us until

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

© Janet Martin

With Only One of Each of Us...

How grieved our Creator must be when we choose to bicker and bite

instead of lovingly forgiving each other like He lovingly forgives us!

After all, every single one of us is on our maiden voyage through life 

with so many mistakes made, to learn from...

and to top it all off there are no two of us exactly alike!!!

Unlike these birds who all sound and look exactly alike...

With only one of each of us and no two quite alike

It stirs in us the impetus to do the best we can

To honor He who drew in us His holy breath of life

Where there will never be another you or me again

With only one of each of us and no two quite the same

Is it then any wonder that we often disagree

But wouldn’t it be nice if we recalled from whence we came

Then strove to love because there is only one you and me

And no one else can take the place of only you or me

Where every single ‘us’ is originally designed

And no one else can be the person we were made to be

Now is that not reason enough to be loving and kind

…and just a bit more patient with one-only-you and-me

Where we are all on maiden voyages from here to There

With our one and only unique personality

And our One and Only Creator beyond compare

We all have this in common; He who makes us black and white

And numbers our days before one of them comes to be

He smiles with loving kindness; we are precious in His sight

For there will never, ever be another you or me

How often we could treat each other better than we do

And cherish one-and-only-me-and-you while we still can

Before it is too late because either first me or you

Will go the one-and-only way we go since time began 

© Janet Martin

Psalm 139:13-16

For You formed my inmost being;a

You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14I praise You,

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Marvelous are Your works,

and I know this very well.

15My frame was not hidden from You

when I was made in secret,

when I was woven together

in the depths of the earth.

16Your eyes saw my unformed body;

all my days were written in Your book

and ordained for me

before one of them came to be.

A Love-ly Light

Matt.5:16

Let your light so shine before men,

 that they may see your good works, 

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Don't you love

the light of love

in loved one's eyes?

Esp. children!!

don't you love the way they shine

with love without disguise?

and don't you hope and pray that we,

God's precious girl and boy

look at our Daddy lovingly

then shine and shine with joy?!!

Love does not scorn its charge

Nor loathe its perfect law

But lets the grace of God enlarge

Faith’s diligence with awe

Love, the Light of the world

Has pierced sin’s darkness through

It is God’s evidence unfurled

To shine in me and you

…to glorify the Name

Of He who came to save

And live God’s goodness to proclaim

For the gift His love gave

It is impossible

To confess ‘Christ in me’

Without love’s candle visible

For all the world to see

Then pray the Lord to keep

Our love from growing dim

Lest unawares, we fall asleep

And cease to shine for Him

Lord, let our light so shine

So that all men may see

The evidence of love divine

Bringing glory to Thee

Oh, what a lovely Light

The love of God instills

Where until faith is turned to sight

His glory spills and spills

 

© Janet Martin

This is one of the songs the choir hoped to sing at our church on Christmas Eve.

Though we were disappointed to cancel the service

NOTHING can cancel the true believer's joy and or the Light of the World!

Sing Hallelujah!!

Light of the World

Thankfulness in Action

These tots are giving their pets breakfast!

God bless everyone who gives today on what has been dubbed Giving Tuesday!

God bless everyone who gives, no matter what day it is!

Many organizations have committed to doubling the amount of each gift/donation today,

but, as we pray for each need we give toward

 we know in God's hands the increase of the gift

is incomprehensible!!

For more scripture and thoughts on giving see Friday's post! Good, Better, Best

Matt.25:34-40

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Thankfulness is not uttered by the voice of noisy word

But by language of loving kindness, it is seen and heard

Love’s proof unfurls a banner by the speech of how we live

By who we try to honor as we humbly help and give

How holy is the quickened toll that draws souls back to He

Who is still in perfect control with all authority

In spite of what may seem to be a war twixt need and greed

Between excess and poverty, laxness and earnest heed

We who profess to love God are His earthly feet and hands

Kindness is a love-language that no one misunderstands

Love, above and beyond the call of duty’s sorry rod

Delights in the excitement of giving glory to God

© Janet Martin

Happy Daily Delighting!!

2 Cor.9:6-9

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, 

and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 

7Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, 

not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.a 

8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, 

so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, 

you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written:

“He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor;

His righteousness endures forever.”b

The Believer's Awe

1 Cor.13:7-8

Love...bears all things, 

believes all things, 

hopes all things, 

endures all things.

Love never fails.

Love makes worthwhile and beautiful the oft-not-glamourous 

And fills each would-be-common-task with sacred happiness...

Love, for the Lord our God

Oh, may this ever be

The driving force that stays the course

Of faith’s fidelity

Love, humble, kind and true

As earth and heaven meet

Self, sacrificed, the cross of Christ

Enough for joy complete

Love, transcending time’s tide

Where trouble oft dismays

Though woe assails, love never fails

For God is love always

The doctrine faith defends

Anoints love’s altar call

As we embrace the truth and grace

For Christ, love’s all, in all

Do not despair, though love

Must suffer many tears/fears

Beneath its pain the sacred gain

Of soul’s salvation cheers

Then, with Reason renewed

Until the end of days

May Mercy’s Rose of love compose

An offering of praise

...and fill us with delight

In spite of much amiss

God's Spirit of comfort and love

 Instills us with His kiss

Love, the Divine decree

Love, the Redeemer's law

Love, the True Light, faith's pow'r and might

Love, the Believer's Awe

© Janet Martin

Because You Can't Have One Without the Other

(I apologize to you who read, sometimes before I've found 

some editing flaws I missed previously...

These poems generally get penned and posted amidst 

MUCH more than merely writing)

Wow! going from 23C yesterday to 6C this morning gets one's attention!

There's no denying it: another garden-year is drawing to a close!

But the flowers are not going to fade without a fight!

They've shrugged off a few frosty kisses already!

Maple trees toss their fiery tresses, as if daring Father Time!

He just smiles because he knows who always wins in the end.

October's to-do list is bittersweet!

-cut back or pull out spent glory.

-Harvest final fare

-Dig out flower bulbs that can't withstand winter-brr!

-plant flower bulbs for spring tulips etc.

-Collect seeds for gardens not planted yet

-Tuck leaf-duvets over slumbering flowerbeds

-Plan for next year's growing season/gardens

The folding always follows the holding💞

Sometimes I tend to rue the shadows of longing’s despair

Forgetting that it is the sun that puts the shadows there

How quick the readiness of thorns beneath love’s lovely rose

Can prick the headiness of holding with soft curtain close

The hellos that fill hugs/mugs with happiness ignites the knell

That trembles in the offing that assembles fond farewell

The wind that woos the lover to the darling of his heart

Is the same wind that hovers, to dearly draw them apart

Oh look! The baby smiles and coos and sits, walks, runs, then flies

Time’s book full of spent centuries still takes love by surprise

Thus, I cannot afford to stand too long with mournful stare

To gaze upon a world that fell to pirates of the air

Where waves that roll across the shore and thrill children at play

Are followed by the waves that wash their sandcastles away

And the breath-taking beauty of life’s garden in full wreath

The prelude to the duty of the grave that lies beneath

Sometimes, I tend to rue the letting go of seasons felled

Until I look back, humbly glad for all I had and held

Sometimes, I tend to rue the rending ache for seasons spent

Until, with awe I thank God for the loveliness He lent

© Janet Martin

Sometimes, I tend to rue the letting go of seasons felled

Until, with awe I thank God for the loveliness I held...

Ode to Grief...

You hide in jolly hollyhocks

In eyes alight with dreams

In leisurely barefoot, beach walks

In rainbow zinnia streams

In little lass with little curl

In outdoor time for tea

To celebrate a little girl

Who just turned half-past three

In ‘my, how fast sweet baby grows’

In pangs pure love imparts

In vignettes made of mementos

To carry in our hearts

In treetop tress, first green, then red

Orange, russet, gold, then doffed

In brittle crunch beneath our tread

Where leaf-lilt echoes waft

In fading valor of the sun

In autumn-morning mist

In days, that trick us summer-spun

With nights silver-frost-kissed

In swells of history disguised

In gleaming rise of day

The essence of the Thing we prized

Snatched to dusk’s foaming fray

In what has almost disappeared

As if it never was

A Very Vexing Vaunt veneered

With breath-taking Because

Because of love, because of joy

At every turn you lurk

I sense you in the carefree boy

In poise of play and work

In gardens, grand with grin and groan

Of seed's bounteous wealth

In hands, weathered, worked to the bone 

In thankfulness for health

In pansies, ever-pleasant charm

In hope and happiness

In sweeps that ripple, rife and warm

With life and loveliness

In arms that never quite grow cold

Though Child slips from Her knee

To chase the winds of growing old

On wings of vanity

You hide in touch cut to the quick

An artisan of scars

You always hover in the thick

Of laughter’s falling stars

Ah, grief, the price of love, ah love

So worth grief's cruel test

For only love can be enough

To satisfy the rest

© Janet Martin