Showing posts with label trouble. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trouble. Show all posts

Saturday, April 15, 2023

Winepress of the Soul

What a week of wonderful weather!!
We are enjoying summer-like temperatures for another two days before they plummet!


I am so thankful God's goodness does not shift like shadows (or weather!)
With love comes a weight of care, doesn't it?!
Wherever, in this care-bearing we are,
What comfort to know we are called to cast our care on Him!

...casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
 1 Pet. 5:7


Beneath the burdens that we bear,
Beneath love’s constant cross of care
There is comfort beyond compare
In God’s mercy renewed
When we are weak then we are strong
Through He whose will is never wrong
Whose grace ignites in us a song
Of humble gratitude

The love that bore redemption’s wail
As triumph tore the temple’s veil
Is faultless and will never fail
Where all in this world will
Then, though want oft misunderstands
The cost obedience demands
As we ponder Christ’s nail-scarred hands
Storms of rebellion still

As we cast our cares on He
Who kindly cares for you and me
He helps us through the parts we see
Of toil and trouble’s toll
Love’s cross is never borne in vain
Though oft we stagger ‘neath its grain/pain
His grace and goodness will sustain
The winepress of the Soul

Where pride primps reason's cunning tricks 
Where failure and folly afflicts 
The righteousness of God convicts
And leads us on and up
Where beneath the burdens we bear
That pave life's/faith's path with prayer on prayer
His promises, beyond compare
Fill hope's uplifted cup
  
© Janet Martin

James 1:12-18
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because
 having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life 
that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” 
For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 
14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away 
by their own evil desire and enticed.
 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;
 and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, 
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, 
who does not change like shifting shadows. 
18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth,
 that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.





Saturday, February 11, 2023

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




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


Monday, August 29, 2022

Not at Trouble's Mercy

Often my prayers for my family (esp. truck-driver husband) include prayers 
for safety and that they may reach their destinations without any trouble, 
but if they do have trouble that God would grant help.

We are all on a journey to a final destination 
and we know we will have trouble but Jesus reminds us to be of good cheer; 
He has overcome the world. 
Our Heavenly Father is with us every step of the way 
and it is such sweet comfort to know He will never leave or forsake us!

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.”




The designer of every flower's intricate detail
knows even more dearly every detail of us🙏💗



We are not at the harsh mercy of this world’s trouble and care
What a friend we have in Jesus, as we lean on Him in prayer
What a comfort in our sorrow, what an anchor in the gale
Yesterday, today, tomorrow, His compassion will not fail

Transcending man’s comprehension is God’s goodness undeterred
Where we should pay more attention to the power of His Word
Because on our way to meet Him we must fight the Tempter’s play
Without God’s word to defeat him we are weak and easy prey

In this world we will have trouble that no logic can amend
Where today wafts like a bubble laden with love without end
Thus, pray we, not at the mercy of this world’s trouble and care
Lift up more than clanging cymbals in an unrepentant prayer


© Janet Martin

Prayer is the believer's sacred solace!
But in coming to Him does it not make sense
if we want Him to listen to us, that first
we ought to listen to Him? 
Does it not make sense we first plead for Christ to reveal
the sin we are unwilling to surrender and confess?

Some of life's trouble is out of our control!
some trouble comes of our willful way when we disobey...

Here, in this first day of a new week I pray for each of you reading this,
that we may be encouraged and convicted to run with endurance
To find fresh joy and zeal in laying up treasure in Heaven!

a few more marvelous intricate details...






Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Of Highs and Lows (aka as Life's Arpeggio)


Life is full of highs and lows...
High; a wonderful time at a ladies Christmas brunch on Saturday morning


Low; extremely high winds on Saturday afternoon destroyed our play-center/swing-set


this loss is small in scale compared to the destruction of the tornadoes in Kentucky
but its disappointing all the same!

Another glorious sunrise!

'The highs and lows of life compose a soulful melody
The deeps that spawn lavender dawn are steeped in mystery'

The highs and lows of life compose a soulful melody
The deeps that spawn lavender dawn are steeped in mystery
Life’s gain and loss an albatross of mingled joy and strife
As seasons surge and moments merge into a song of life

The stroke is swift that snuffs the gift from morning’s gleaming wick
The string that tunes spring afternoons is soon cut to the quick
And a new page becomes the stage for faith’s arpeggio
Where He who grants its song and dance will never let us go

Look up; the cup that overflows with highs and lows is held
With utter care and God knows where and how each drop will meld
Like notes, into the rush and woo of holding and release
Each rise and fall and beck and call part of life's Masterpiece


© Janet Martin

...and in our lows we are reminded in Luke 12:22-31
Do Not Worry
22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, 
what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 
23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 
24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn;
 yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 
25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[b]?
 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. 
Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 
28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, 
and tomorrow is thrown into the fire,
 how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 
29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 
30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, 
and your Father knows that you need them. 
31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

tots looking at the birds...
'They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn;
 yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! '

Have a wonder-full day!






Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Faithful is God or We Are Not Helpless. Hallelujah!



A guttural *helpless, heart-cry best describes my prayers this morning
for a world groaning in tribulation...
(just a sad few of the many countries in dire distress)
Earthquakes, floods and wildfires rage.
Terrorists torture and terrorize.
Sickness and sorrow burdens.
America and Canada grow ever colder to the
Faith these countries were founded on
boldly proud and blind to the reaping of godless sowing!

*But we are not helpless!
Hallelujah.

For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them
as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him?

Psalm 46:1-3 –
 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way 
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 
though its waters roar and foam 
and the mountains quake with their surging."




The battleground that keeps us bound toward Reward’s indemnity
Is fraught with what we ought to do and snares set by the enemy
Soon evidence through recompense from seed of word and deed is shown
What was concealed will be revealed for by the fruit the tree is known

Oh Lord, increase Your peace in us as we trust, whether old or youth
Broad is the way where demons prey on those who stray from Steadfast Truth
Your Word is sure; all will endure who feast upon Thy Bread of Life
The pure in heart will not depart from You though evil’s ruse runs rife

Desire’s vice and sacrifice no one beholds in full but He
Who authors birth and instills worth to we, prone to depravity
Where we all prove who we most love by the testimony of choice
Oh God, forbid Your light is hid by its indisputable voice

This battleground of sight and sound confounds the intellectual
*But corruption cannot corrupt that which is Incorruptible
Faithful is God, no matter what the godless, blood-thirsty reply
Be of good cheer, He bends his ear to hear faith’s guttural heart-cry

© Janet Martin

*Line from a sermon recently

Another hope-filled Hymn


Psalm 18:6-19 –
 "In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help.
From His temple he heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears. 
Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, 
because He was angry. 
Smoke went up from His nostrils, and devouring fire from His mouth; 
glowing coals flamed forth from Him. He bowed the heavens and came down; 
thick darkness was under His feet. He rode on a cherub and flew;
 He came swiftly on the wings of the wind. 
He made darkness His covering, 
His canopy around Him, thick clouds dark with water.
 Out of the brightness before Him hailstones and coals of fire broke through His clouds.
 The Lord also thundered in the heavens, 
and the Most High uttered His voice, hailstones and coals of fire.
 And He sent out his arrows and scattered them; 
he flashed forth lightnings and routed them. 
Then the channels of the sea were seen,
 and the foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke,
 O Lord, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils. 
He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters.
 He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me,
 for they were too mighty for me. 
They confronted me in the day of my calamity, 
but the Lord was my support. 
He brought me out into a broad place;
 He rescued me, because He delighted in me."

Saturday, December 12, 2020

This Life Is Not Carefree

 





This life is not carefree 
Its give-and-taking schemes 
Are not always budget-friendly 
Or mindful of our dreams 

The flying colours of 
Accomplishment’s success 
Are cradled in a fragile glove 
Of heartache and distress 

The ‘something very nice’ 
We seized with 'hip-hooray' 
Was but the laud of sacrifice 
On altars of Today 

Reminding us again 
How fundamental, trust 
Without it who could bear the pain 
Of time’s determined dust 

Emphasizing anew
We hold a gifted Strand
And life is but the avenue
Back to the Giver's Hand

Midst high-fives and low-blows 
We traipse time's strafing sod 
While weathering life’s wows and woes 
But by the grace of God 

But by the grace of God 
Easy-street, none can claim 
For if we could who would applaud 
Or call upon His name 

© Janet Martin 

All they asked was that we should 
continue to remember the poor...
Gal.2:10




Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Ebb and Flow of High and Low


Waiting for pipe inspection😐
So in case you think you are having a bad day,
you could be the guy who will need to slip-slide into the septic-tank hole
to do the inspection and possibly change a pipe! 
While it was a much needed rain we received it certainly
made this task miserable!
and, oh my stars!! what a mess!
 We never know what a week will bring and it's good we don't, right?!
While this is simply trouble (not trial) it can still feel messy.
NOTHING quite gets one's attention like the gurgling sink
and toilet that says 'septic tank is full'
I am so thankful it is not mid-winter!
Because this chore was on our to-do list last fall
 but Jim never had a free week-end to tackle it.

So thankful Jim just returned from the load we were so disappointed he had to do on Sunday
(because of another driver's truck breakdown)
But, if he hadn't done it he would have been nowhere near home on a Tuesday!
So much to be thankful for in spite of...
 


managed to salvage some mint-tea before the plot was obliterated

Life, as so eloquently stated in this line from 
The Song in the Green Thorn Tree by James Barke
Book 2 in the life of the poet Robert Burns

Where faith and fear do battle for the Whole
Where hope and dread in constant conflict vie
Where Joy ignites an anthem in the soul
Where certain sorrow waits with its reply
Where ebb and flow of high and low tide sweeps
Across a shoreline where man laughs and weeps

Where bud loom weaves the bloom that sheds its leaves
Where holding sires the pain of letting go
Where hello and farewell delights and grieves
Where what tomorrow brings we never know
Where heaven nurtures earth with rain and sun
Where from first breath at birth death has begun

Where strength and weakness always coexist
Where boast is but the means to tend to need
Where what we see is never all there is
Where who knows what an ending will precede
Where what we thought we knew often defies
The subject privy to life’s lows and highs

Where God is always, always over all
Where He will never leave us or forsake
Where waves of circumstances rise and fall
Where His promise no high or low can break
Where He abides through mileage bright or dim
Where we are on life’s passage back to Him

Where we, if we are wise will start to see
With speech dumbfounded in our meek surprise
The wonder of ‘not I, but Christ in me’
Where without Him our vessel would capsize
Where ebb and flow of high and low soft-draw
The passenger of time across its law

© Janet Martin

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.

Alternative title for this poem could be
Ebb and Flow, Pardon the Pun😊😉

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Love-lessons


 God's love is never misrepresented...
only misinterpreted!
 Strange times, isn't it?!

"This will someday be in the past", my dad called over to me across the yard
(with good distance between us because they are quarantined/self-isolating) 
"but for now it is a serious present that will take Time to pass"

So we drop our 'sunshine' boxes on their porch
 filled with goodies they can see and prayers they can't
...pause to marvel at the beauty of white birch on blue...
 ...and by the grace of God, carry on. What else can we do?


Once more the orb of daylight climbs
Above a world of troubled times
Where our responsibility
In spite of all we hear and see
Remains unchanged; the circumstance
Does not estrange two great commands;
To love the Lord above all else
Then love our neighbour as our-self

Once more Mercy renews its creed
Above a world of utter need
Where God, whose form we cannot see
Remains unchanged; though misery
May make us feel strange or alone
Take heart for God is on His throne
No height or depth or breadth enough
To separate us from His love

Once more the day eclipses night
Where faith does not satisfy sight
But on a threshing-floor of pain
Love separates chaff from the grain
And what may feel like punishment
Is love we cannot comprehend
As it suffers for you and me
With love proven at Calvary

Sunrise, sunset, do not forget
Love is not finished with us yet
But longs to burn away the dross
And draw us closer through a cross
Where high or low does not estrange
Us from His love that does not change
But leads us through the vale of woe
To prove the love whereby we go

© Janet Martin


Romans 8:37-39
 …No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, 
neither angels nor principalities, 
 neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 
 neither height nor depth,
 nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God
that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.…