Showing posts with label truth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label truth. Show all posts

Saturday, January 20, 2024

For This Unprecedented Age...

For this unprecedented age of immorality; 
 of abortion, adultery, homosexuality, 
transgenderism, mass confusion, child neglect and abuse, 
agnosticism, atheism, theism and paganism 
on and on it goes; 
there is only one cure! 
Repentance and belief in the One True God! 

Then as belief yields fruits of repentance/obedience 
to Him through His Word, only then can any real cure begin!
In this age of unprecedented distraction
esp. through the buffet of options offered through modern technology,
God's still, small Voice can be drowned out
until it goes away...!!!πŸ™πŸ™
Without careful, prayerful awareness we are all at the risk
of drowning the quietness with just enough noise
to keep us from thinking too deeply/aka, hearing God speak!

(I use the phrase 'unprecedented' cautiously but also with awareness
to the reality that due to modern technology
 and approval by the powers that be, access to
certain atrocities has become medically promoted/commonplace
like never before!)

Thus, thanks in part to modern technology
we are living in an age of unprecedented opportunity and opposition!

The cure for the problem is what it has always been...
2 Chron.7:14
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves
 and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,
 then I will hear from heaven,
 and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

The page below read a few days ago,(from the book mentioned here and here)
first sparked this poem from a train of thought that has been
ongoing recently..
.(and this book was written in the '60's!!
The line that esp. hits home is this one;
'and they will be tomorrow's leaders')


And also in part by yesterday's devotion
from Pathways to His Presence by Charles Stanley



For this unprecedented age
Where, at epidemical rates
Mortal rejects its Creator
And fundaments of Truth, debates
Or altogether disregards
What once was reverenced, with awe
Choosing darkness, rather than light
Without godly order or law…

For this unprecedented age
Of lack of fear and faith in He
Who is the Saviour of the soul
The sole hope of humanity
Where churches, once ringing with praise
And sounds of glorious gospel truth
Have been abandoned for the gasp
Of worldly pleasure and pursuit

For this unprecedented age
Of pride going before the fall
As nations, founded on God’s Word
Promote abandoning it all
To be gods, wise in their own eyes
But are in fact, blind leading blind
Where deceit, like a gaping pit
Swallows the unbelieving mind

For this unprecedented age
Of impropriety endorsed
And applauded by worldly-wise
Without guilt and shame, or remorse
For this unprecedented age
Of wolves wearing sheep-like disguise
Soothing, smoothing the inner prick
With unbiblical, sweet, sweet lies

For this unprecedented age
Of unbelief, we pray and pray
We, who with faith and fear believe
In the approach of That Great Day
Oh Lord, we pray and pray that ‘they’
Would repent and believe in You
And that we who believe would be
A vessel that your Light shines through

© Janet Martin

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, 
we do not lose heart. 
2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; 
we do not use deception,
 nor do we distort the word of God.
 On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly 
we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
 3 And even if our gospel is veiled,
 it is veiled to those who are perishing.
 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers,
 so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, 
who is the image of God. 
5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, 
and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a
made his light shine in our hearts
 to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory 
displayed in the face of Christ.





Friday, January 5, 2024

Today Twofer ...Cradle of Eternity and Today's Most Estimable Gift

Yesterday we celebrated the child that turned Jim and I into grandparents!

Happy 7th Birthday, Grandson!


Simply being there may look like nothing much
(dear weary, young mother/parent),
 but, is in essence, everything!

Oh, the efforts that may seem to count for nothing here
 but may count for everything There!πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™
By God's grace, keep on.

Above, we simply see a birthday cake!!
 not the baking of it by Very Sleep-deprived mom 
after children are tucked into bed,
We don't see the many, messy, mundane, oops, 
I mean SACRED interruptions/frustrations
 to bring it to fulfillment!πŸ˜…πŸ’“




Technology/screen-time has many negatives in the development of children BUT
this is one of the best positives; being able to laugh and chat with cousins 
over 2000 kilometers away!!




“Children are not a distraction from more important work.
 They are the most important work.”
– Dr. John Trainer
(according to this site, the above quote is misattributed to C.S. Lewis)

Children are by far the most important work!
because...

Beneath the wide, missing-toothed grin
That six and seven year old sports
Beneath Innocent Countenance 
That Time's Insistence soon aborts
 Beneath the sweet Cocoon of Youth
Trembles an Immutable Flame
As irrefutable as Truth
Unthwarted by denial's claim

This truth kindles a deeper look
At faces that we love so dear
At babies nestled in arm's crook
At hugs, as we draw loved ones near
Because, beneath the part we see
Exists the Thing That Never Dies
The Cradle of Eternity
Has missing teeth and eager eyes 

...a-sparkle with dream-giddy stars
Where footsteps that dash wild and free
Are bearing a most sacred charge
The Cradle of Eternity
Because, the part that melts the heart
With the velocity/Curiosity of Youth 
Cradles the soul, that precious Part
That looks to us to teach/tell the Truth 

© Janet Martin

Eccles.12:1
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,
 before the days of trouble come 
and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them"—


I began the poem below yesterday...
Inspired in part by this passage
 (which also helped inspire the above poem) 

For He established a testimony in Jacob,
And appointed a law in Israel,
Which He commanded our fathers,
That they should make them known to their children;
 That the generation to come might know them,
The children who would be born,
That they may arise and declare them to their children,
That they may set their hope in God,
And not forget the works of God,
But keep His commandments;...

from this devotion...

from this book...


Before the poem was completed Eagerness arrived to steal the show with sweetness!

when Little Brother noticed Big Sister about to be the 'star',
he, ever-so-full-of -'innocent'-mischief did his thingπŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‡

Can't you just about hear his very enthusiastic 'CHE-E-E-ESE!!'πŸ’–πŸ˜…

We still managed one without his shenanigans 
(that keep everyone laughing and pulling their hair out!πŸ˜‚πŸ˜…)


After they left, Gramma needed a nap before
heading out to above birthday celebration!


Today's most estimable part is valuable to know
Though its most vital works of art may never steal the show
It ought to stoke a lion’s roar in hearts of you and me
Because today swings wide the Door of Opportunity

Where what we do with what we have holds more than first appears
The impact of Now’s aftermath fills more than yesteryears
As repercussion of reply unravels in its wake
A footpath forged by you and I, for future feet to take

Today’s most estimable part is sacred to the touch
Though, at first glance its works of art may not appear as much
Beneath the part we see the root establishes the tree
That will, for good or ill, bear fruit for all eternity

Sometimes eternity can feel far off, and quite unreal
Sometimes Impulse can spar and scoff at God’s/time’s/love’s patient appeal
Sometimes, today’s most estimable gift, we hardly see
As God fills up the cup we lift with Opportunity

© Janet Martin

Let's not lose heart by dwelling on
 opportunities lost or missed
but seize the part we build upon;
Now
goodness-glossed and mercy-kissed

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Sorrow's Silver Lining

Lam.3:31-33 NIV
For no one is cast off by the Lord forever.
32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love.
33 For he does not willingly bring affliction
or grief to anyone.

***
Some sorrow-crosses are borne on backs,
and are easy to recognize,
some are borne in hearts and souls
known fully, only to God's eyes
This life, full of sorrow-inducing care
Is weathered best, tethered to prayer
Because wherever/whatever the cross may be
None are too hidden for God to see
No matter what hurt has fashioned its frame
Healing is found as hope trusts in His Name

*** 

Isa.40:31 NIV
...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
 They will soar on wings like eagles;
 they will run and not grow weary, 
they will walk and not be faint.



Sorrow can be a plumbless pit
Where worship could wither away
Or, it can be the key to fit
The bearer of its cross to pray
To help faith’s posture learn to lean
Completely on God’s perfect will
To guide through gates to pastures green
To lead us beside waters still
And drink from Living Streams, our fill

…where, though Evidence of things seen
May fill our Cup of Circumstance
With sorrow’s bitter go-between
Vexing hope’s perplexing substance
He shepherds and restores our souls
He leads in paths of righteousness
And sanctifies self-seeking goals
With a more Calvary-like ‘yes’
As we cling to His promises

Sorrow could drown hope in sad tears
And blind us to ‘joy set before’
And choke us with a noose of years
Where Yester’s futile shadows roar
Or sorrow can invite us to
Come unto He who gives us rest
To taste His comfort, kind and true
For He bore sorrow’s greatest test
Thus understands our sorrows best

Ah, here sorrow dons eagle’s wings
Though grief may hound time's brief sojourn
Hope's silver lining gleams; joy sings
Like a bird sensing Morn’s return
The valley of death’s shadow grants
The Shepherd's rod and staff to cheer
The Cup of bitter Circumstance
While Heaven’s gate/wait is drawing near
The hour of faith’s final tear

© Janet Martin

Psalm 23 NKJV

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not [a]want.
2 He makes me to lie down in [b]green pastures;
He leads me beside the [c]still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will [d]dwell in the house of the Lord
[e]Forever.

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Some 'Sure-ances/Assurances For Today


The Way, the Truth, and the Life

John 14:1-6
1Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
2In My Father’s house are many [a]mansions; 
if it were not so, [b]I would have told you. 
I go to prepare a place for you. 
3And if I go and prepare a place for you,
 *I will come again and receive you to Myself; 
that where I am, there you may be also. 
4And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
5Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going,
 and how can we know the way?”
6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. 
No one comes to the Father except through Me.
***

Surely as night turns to morning and as sunshine follows rain..

Quite the deluge pouring from nature's tap today!
So many a-magical rain-drop marvel on display!









Sure as effect follows action heedless of rank or stature
Sure as truth meets confrontation with unflinching caliber
Sure as deed is like seed planted, sure as pride precedes downfall
Sure as every day is granted with a divine beck and call
Sure as summer is enchanted by enticements, autumnal

Sure as moments mete fleet measure that no miser's vault contains 
Sure as we prove what we treasure by what Thought most entertains
Sure as season follows season, sure as present turns to past
Sure as wisdom refines reason, sure as stumbles humble fast 
Sure as hello's sweet reunions, sure as farewell culls its cast  

Sure as the face in the mirror starts to wear Time’s telling strife
Sure as each breath draws us nearer to the finish-line of life
Sure as despair is a canker causing the spirit to groan
Sure as we are prone to hanker after what is not our own
Sure as hope IS a sure anchor in Messiah’s Cornerstone

Surely God’s goodness and mercy graces all that dawns and dims
Surely His kind purpose frustrates futile chase of wishful whims
Surely as night turns to morning and as sunshine follows rain
Surely as He hears hate's scorning, He hears faith's prayer, not in vain
Surely He comforts with warning; surely, *I will come again

© Janet Martin

Psalm 23:6
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
 and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.




Tuesday, December 19, 2023

This Christmas, As I Come To Gaze (At Thy Nativity)


Recently a message I listened to contained the caution that we, as believers 
should guard against getting caught up in romanticizing the Nativity, 
easily possible when charmed by enchanting figurines... 


Sometimes, in this age of 'progressive thinkers' some so-called believers
assume the 'perks' and promises of salvation, 
God's favors and blessings 
without first entering through the Door 
of true repentance which leads to obedience. 

May we, as we search the scriptures, 
ask God to open the eyes of humbled hearts 
to seek and know the full truth of what we 'most surely believe'...
Today's poem began as I pondered parts of Luke 1.



Dear Jesus,

This Christmas as I come to gaze
At Thy nativity
May no vain thought hinder my praise
Or mar my love for Thee

With childlike faith without dispute
With stubborn will undone
With worship in spirit and truth
May I behold Thy Son

The Saviour of the World, first laid
in lowly feeding trough
Thy holiest of holy Babe
No kingly splendor sought  

That none should envy how You came
nor covet Thy renown 
The King of kings, in mortal frame 
From Heaven's throne, stepped down

Then, as I bring my gift of love
To Thy nativity
Impress on me the shadow of
the cross/Gate of Calvary

Amen~

  Janet Martin



  


Monday, December 18, 2023

To Rich and Poor Alike

More money buys more things,
but never more hope, peace, joy, Jesus, or more Heaven-status!
The way to heaven is ever the same; a gift,
 for rich and poor alike
accessible through faith, 
by God's grace alone
through Himself,
His Son, Jesus!

Who is Jesus?
Below, the link to one of six messages on who Jesus is!


The message below begins with this statement;
'There was a time when Jesus was God but not man,
But there never was a time when He was man, but not God'

  

Matt 1:21
And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS,
 for He will save His people from their sins.”


To rich and poor alike He comes
to grant to each the same
The hope that transcends time’s fleet sums;
Salvation through His Name


Where nothing but faith can esteem
the gift that makes us whole
No mortal merit can redeem
the price tag of the soul


No wealth can gain a greater grace,
nor lack a lesser part
Where man regards fine form and face
God looks upon the heart


And rich and poor alike receive
what only faith can win
To all who repent and believe,
the forgiveness of sin


© Janet Martin







Friday, December 15, 2023

The Best Gift (We Can Never Buy)



John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son,
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.





We cannot buy the things that only God grants, through His love
The pelf and pleasure of this world can never satisfy
No bag or box or bank account is ever big enough
To hold or purchase happiness, no matter how we try 

His death and resurrection purchased hope for everyone


We cannot buy pure joy or peace only God grants, through grace
His joy in us makes joy complete; nothing can take His place

How futile is the search for happiness then, without He 
By faith, may see His glory too, the glory of God's son

The things that truly satisfy, cannot be bought or sold
No matter how we try we cannot purchase happiness
Only God grants The Gift that transcends this world's transient hold
Silver and gold can never buy His precious promises

The best gift we can never buy and only God can grant
Is free to all who call on Him; the Saviour of the soul
Though we may gain the whole world, without God's best gift we can't
Find hope, truth, peace or joy; these come through faith that makes us whole

© Janet Martin

Ps.146:5
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, 
whose hope is in the LORD his God:

Matthew 16:26
What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?
 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Far More Than Some Yon Phantom Force...

Imagine if we could see as clearly the sacred date of Happy-halfway-through-life!
as we see dates like Happy-halfway-through-November!!
That's tomorrow, if we live to see it!

In the twinkling of an eye, time/mortality's skin-thin veneer will be rent and we will see God.
How we see Him here will greatly impact how we see Him there!
Do we see Him as precious Saviour of our Soul and glorious Lord of our life
or is He some far-off, antiquated Dictator of dos and don't that we decide not to bother with?!!
Is He our Friend and Heavenly Father or simply some yon force of fate??


Psalm 8:1 ESV
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! 
You have set your glory above the heavens.

November Dusk is one glorious example of Majesty's Showcases!

Friday Dusk...





Sunday Dusk...
a coral and lavender festooned sky


Monday Dusk...
(north-facing)
an eruption of grandeur that drew humanity to windows and out-of-doors
in exclamations of wonder aka worship!

(east-facing)



...and west-facing






His voice whispers, ’be of good cheer’ and ‘blessed are the meek’

He is the glorious, Source of living hope, joy, peace and love

And ushers into existence, a new, lent day of grace
Where, how we see and love Him here is authoring reply
Transcending time’s skin-thin veneer in the wink of an eye

© Janet Martin

We are all without excuse when
it comes to the evidence of God!

Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—
his eternal power and divine nature—
have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, 
so that people are without excuse.


















Saturday, November 11, 2023

Freedom's Price is Steep


If only we only took time
to humbly and kindly love
If only we lived as if we believed
That what God/love gives is enough

***

Until we change our ways to God's ways, 
war will not change its ways

***

I have shared these excerpts from Peter Marshall's Sermon
The American Dream, a few times before
But truth is timeless!


The phrase below could just as well be read 'we in Canada' πŸ˜₯πŸ™



Freedom’s price is steep where after-effects run deep; their loss, our gain
Freedom is never free, but a hard-fought and blood-wrought cross of pain
Love, the greatest command never fails; but kingdoms rise and fall
When leaders turn away and disobey God who is Lord of all

The Author and Authority of love is long-suff’ring and kind
Without Him we are a pathetic case of blind leading the blind

Until we love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind
Freedom will fail. Travail of war will scream, blood red, dread’s streams unwind
God’s light shines on great darkness; a darkness that does not comprehend
The love of He who sets us free; whose death purchased life without end

If only we would take to heart the wage of disobedience
And would fear God, and love His Word, not treat Him with indifference
For ‘unto us a child was born, One whose kingdom will never cease
His Name, Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace

Freedom’s price is steep where after-effects run deep; His loss, our gain
Freedom is never free; His cost, a love-wrought, blood-bought cross of pain
Love, the greatest command never fails; great nations rise and fall
And will until all fear and believe in He who is Lord of all

© Janet Martin

Isa. 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: 
and the government shall be upon his shoulder: 
and his name shall be called Wonderful, 
Counsellor, 
The mighty God, 
The everlasting Father, 
The Prince of Peace.

More timeless truth from Jeremiah 






Who is wise and understanding among you?
 Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
  14But if you have bitter envy and [h]self-seeking in your hearts, 
do not boast and lie against the truth. 
15This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
  16For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 
17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, 
gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, 
without partiality and without hypocrisy. 
18Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace 
by those who make peace. 
James 3:13-18