Once Upon Truth, Not Make-Believe

Jesus! so much more than a baby in a manger on that first Christmas Day!  

 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said,

 “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

John 1:29

Once upon truth, not make-believe

Sin cursed man through Adam and Eve

And birthed the madness of a race

That would be doomed but for God’s grace

Where long many prophets foretold

What many never saw unfold

That God would send a Lamb to be

The scapegoat for sin’s penalty

So long and strong the nations kept

The law with sacrifice inept

Because the blood of bulls, you see

Could not redeem eternally

Faithful God always keeps His Word

His thoughts and ways are undeterred

Thus, Father set beneath Love’s rod

His Son to be the Lamb of God

...and on that first fair Christmas morn

The Saviour of the world was born

Jesus, God of living and dead

Laid in a manger for His bed

(Where being God, He could have used

This as just cause to be excused

From the cost of salvation's plan)

But, He put on likeness of man

Not any man, but servant heart

So none would envy any part

His company the sick, cast down

Throngs followed him from town to town

Until that awful, glorious day

When death would have life’s perfect say

As ‘it is finished’ set man free

And stripped the grave of victory

And gave to all, once and for all

A way to be saved from the Fall

To grant to human race the joy

And hope that nothing can destroy

Through love and truth, not make-believe

That all of mankind may receive

For we are all part of a race

That would be doomed but for God’s grace

© Janet Martin

Dear Lord of Loving Kindness

 Have you yielded your heart/life to Him?

Dear Lord of loving kindness

He knows our tendency

And how human-inclined-ness

Is prone to misery

Dear Lord, so rich in mercy

Because of His great love

Rather than leave us cursed, He

Died, love’s fullness to prove

Dear Lord, so slow to anger

Though we deserve His wrath

He forgives sinful languor

If we confess and ask

Dear Lord, He longs to gather

His brood beneath his wing

Yet sadly some would rather

Disdain His offering

Dear Lord, so kind and tender

Because of His great love

His mercy curbs the anger

That we justly deserve

Dear Lord, of loving kindness

No one escapes His gaze

He knows the dust that binds us

And cups our numbered days

© Janet Martin

Psalm 117:2

For His lovingkindness is great toward us,

 And the truth of the LORD is everlasting. Praise the LORD!

Psalm 63:3

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You.

Psalm 36:7

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! 

And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.

Psalm 103:8-14

 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.

He will not always accuse us,

nor harbor His anger forever.

He has not dealt with us according to our sins

or repaid us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is His loving devotion for those who fear Him.

As far as the east is from the west,

so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children,

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

For He knows our frame;

He is mindful that we are dust.

Love...or the Lack Thereof

 And above all things have fervent love for one another,...

1 Pet.4: 8

 Let's love like a flower in full bloom and make the world beautiful right where we are!

Lack of love brings

Lack of joy

Lack of joy brings

Lack of praise

Lack of praise brings

Lack of thanks

To He who grants us

All our days

© Janet Martin

A Praise Hymn to Praise Him

God, you ordain each season

From You all blessings flow

Love is Your steadfast reason

For every yes and no

God, daily You amaze us

Grace will not break its vow

You hear our humble praises

Through all that You allow

You lead us through green pastures

And by Your waters still

As we yield rebel-posture

And bow beneath Your will

Evil mocks the Creator

Seducing love with lust

God, You are always greater

In You each heart can trust

  

Your Word is everlasting

God, let us not forget

When doubt its clout is casting

You are not finished yet

© Janet Martin

Wonder-full

 Sometimes we are dazed 

and dumbfounded anew

Amazed by how much 

God loves me and you

Sometimes we hardly 

know where to start

To tell of the wonder

 that urges the heart

To praise the One worthy 

of all attention

His ways beyond earthly 

comprehension

Sometimes we are wholly 

and humbly awed

In the shadow of angels 

through the mercies of God

Heart of worship let me prove

‘Neath the scepter of Thy love

‘Neath the shadow of Thy gaze

Lord, I bow in humble praise

For the beauty of Thy land

For Thy mercy’s gracious hand

For death-cursed deliverance

For Thy faithful providence

For the favors of Thy grace

For Thy faithful promises

And the comfort that You send

For Thy All that has no end

For Thy whispers deep within

For Thy forgiveness of sin

For Thy strength in joy or strife

For Thy death to purchase life

For Thy power unsurpassed

For Thy truth to hold us fast

For Thy purpose undeterred

For Thy everlasting word

For Thy hope steadfast and sure

For Thy salvation secure

For Companionship divine

That unmerited, is mine

© Janet Martin

  Honor the Lord your God, worship only him, 

and make your promises in his name alone.

Deut.6:13

 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.
Mal.6:10