Showing posts with label worship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label worship. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Pure Delight


1 John 2: 15-17
Do not love the world or anything 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 desires of the flesh, 
the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—
is not from the Father but from the world.
  17The world is passing away, along with its desires;
 but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

Col.3:1
If then you were raised with Christ,
seek those things which are above,
where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.


When it comes to 'stuff' much wants more,
and yet is never satisfied!
When it comes to the things of God He has enough
to satisfy all of us for all eternity!
No need to want what the other one has
(unlike two little boys playing with tractors! 😅💓)




Love brings no satisfaction to devotion and delight
If its primal attraction is to seek and serve by sight
If what we long and strive for here, is temporal at best
If fulfillment we live for, dear, is not Supremely blessed

…by He who made and loves us and who knows us, heart and soul
Who placed within the glove of us a Faith-in-Him shaped hole
A love-the-Lord-thy-God-with-all-thy-heart-soul-strength-and-mind
-abyss; that, though we gain the world, we are Heaven-designed

And thus, to find true happiness, true hope, joy, peace and love
We first must pursue righteousness/godliness and seek Those Things Above
With uttermost humility and thankfulness, and then
We will find more delight than we thought possible. Amen

© Janet Martin


From Streams in the Desert Vol.2



Thursday, May 15, 2025

Aubade (and a prayer request)



When we receive the gift of salvation and become children of God,
we also 'inherit' the call of The Great Commission;

Matt.28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said,
 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. 
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Ps.119:4-6
4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
6 Then shall I not be ashamed, 
when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

***
In light of the verses above
what a sacred unfurling then, is each new day! 




A new day melts the dark; duty's charge hails anew
Therefore, once more, before embarking on 'so much to to'
My soul is stirred to reach to touch Mercy's return
The Giver has so much to teach and I so much to learn

A new day fills the air where unplumbed moments span
*Praise God who hears my/our humble prayer and works His perfect plan
My soul is stirred to bow, beneath the Verge of Choice 
Lest, in the heat of Want, somehow I miss His still, small Voice

A new day meets our gaze; a fresh wave of Unknown
To tutor us in Thoughts and Ways much higher than our own
My soul is stirred to sing; come joy or sorrow's lot
Beneath the shelter of His Wing the child of God is taught 

Janet Martin

*One of my prayers is for my sister-in-law, Karen,
back in the hospital due to bleeding, after an emergency
hip replacement two weeks ago.
  Would you join  in praying for her encouragement and healing?

Below, a few of yesterday's 'gifts' 💓

A flock of blue jays descended and chattered as they foraged for
 a few minutes then flew on...



brothers 💙






Monday, April 28, 2025

Break of Day Hymn or Election Day Hymn

It is Election Day in Canada

Ps.113:1-4
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
Praise the name of the Lord!
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
From this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its going down
The Lord’s name is to be praised.

4 The Lord is high above all nations,
His glory above the heavens...

Ps.112:1&7
Praise[a] the Lord!
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
Who delights greatly in His commandments...
He will not be afraid of evil tidings;
His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

Ps.111:1-4&10
Praise[a] the Lord!
I will praise the Lord with my whole heart,
In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.
2 The works of the Lord are great,
Studied by all who have pleasure in them.
3 His work is honorable and glorious,
And His righteousness endures forever.
4 He has made His wonderful works to be remembered;
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion...
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever.




Breaking of day is brief; soon heaven's blushing grandeur pales
To workaday backdrops; where duty's common demands press
With weighted musts/mists of creature care and Future's un-blazed trails
Compelling us not to proceed without God's promises

The theater of dawn rings, rife with birdsong-orchestras
Praise He who cups and overflows the fountain of today
No matter what befalls Our God is worthy of applause
He is above all nations; nothing can His will dismay

...then do not be afraid because the Lord is on His throne
His goodness and mercy sustain all who call on His name
From rise to set of sun, pray, we will make His praises known
And love each other well till we return from whence we came 

Time's turn of leaf is brief where breaking of day-to-day tolls
Eternity is chief; let's set our minds on things above
While living here below, let's trust the Saviour of our souls
For all we do not know, then treat our fellowman with love

...for break of day is brief; time's turn of leaf soon filled and stilled
Eternity is chief; not this world's fleeting, noisy roar  
The works of God are great; seek His pleasure and be fulfilled
His everlasting righteousness endures forevermore 

Janet Martin

The theater of dawn rings, rife with birdsong-orchestras...









 




Thursday, April 24, 2025

God Gives; We Take...

inspired today's give and take contemplation...

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above,
 coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, 
who does not change like shifting shadows.

Acts 17:28
For in him we live and move and have our being.
’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

How often we are like this robin,
who took full advantage of a freshly-filled birdbath!
We soak and splash in the faithfully-replenished fountain of blessing.
Pray we thank the Giver for all we take! 





God gives; we take. All we receive precedes relinquishment
Each accomplishment we achieve the fruit of favours lent
Goodness and mercy’s wellspring spills; we drink, with gifted breath
Too oft mindless of He who fills the fount of life-to-death

God gives; we take. A treasure trove of generosity
Anoints our touch-and-taste with love’s accountability
Where all we have is what we take while He ordains the chance
And it is up to us to make the most of all He grants

God gives; we take; and if we suffer loss tis but the part
Of gain we often overlook until it breaks our heart
And bids us contemplate the sum of grace till we are awed
For all we have is given from the outstretched Hand of God

God gives today; we wake and take it, consciously or not
Ah pray, that what we make of it is the best we have got 
He gives; we take. Forbid we boast in anyone but He
Who loves us to the uttermost for all eternity 

© Janet Martin

John 19:10-11
So Pilate said to Him, “Do You refuse to speak to me?
Do You not know that I have authority to release You 
and authority to crucify You?”
11Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me
if it were not given to you from above.
Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”




Olives that have known no pressure
No oil can bestow;
If the grapes escape the winepress,
Cheering wine can never flow;
Spikenard only through the crushing,
Fragrance can diffuse.
Shall I then, Lord, shrink from suff’ring
Which Thy love for me would choose?

Each blow I suffer
Is true gain to me.
In the place of what Thou takest
Thou dost give Thyself to me.

Do my heart-strings need Thy stretching,
Songs divine to prove?
Do I need for sweetest music
Cruel treatment of Thy love?
Lord, I fear no deprivation
If it draws to Thee;
I would yield in full surrender
All Thy heart of love to see.

I’m ashamed, my Lord, for seeking
Self to guard alway;
Though Thy love has done its stripping,
Yet I’ve been compelled this way.
Lord, according to Thy pleasure
Fully work on me;
Heeding not my human feelings,
Only do what pleases Thee.

If Thy mind and mine should differ,
Still pursue Thy way;
If Thy pleasure means my sorrow,
Still my heart shall answer, “Yea!”
’Tis my deep desire to please Thee,
Though I suffer loss;
E’en though Thy delight and glory
Mean that I endure the cross.

Oh, I’ll praise Thee, e’en if weeping
Mingle with my song.
Thine increasing sweetness calls forth
Grateful praises all day long.
Thou hast made Thyself more precious
Than all else to me:
Thou increase and I decrease, Lord—
This is now my only plea.


Monday, April 21, 2025

A Long Joy-Song or Before The World Began

John 17:1-5
“Father, the hour has come. 
Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 
2 For you granted him authority over all people 
that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 
3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, 
the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 
4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 
5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory 
I had with you before the world began...

***

Someday we will enter eternity,
where there will be no time constraints on our joy song!
where poetry won't be criticized for being 'too wordy' or long,
and where no words will be needed
to worship our Saviour!
Hallelujah!



ready? Set...Go!!







The past weekend had many 'glad' moments
but all pale in comparison to the reason for the Easter-season!

This was the Easter sunrise!



(I would have loved to do this post on Easter morning but
dinner-prep and early church service kept me hopping!)

He makes me glad; no eloquence of loving speech can tell
Salvation’s joy, blood-bought; enough to cheer my soul full-well
Wonder confounds thought’s finite scope; awe utters ‘what is man
That Triune God would anchor Hope before the world began?’

He makes me glad; praise He from whom redemption’s wellsprings roar
Though I have played the harlot and Judas, He loved me so

He makes me glad; I shall not want because at Calvary
He bore the cross, its gore and taunt and sword, to set me free
Obedient to death, to prove the power of His Name
He rose again; He overthrew death and hell’s hopeless claim

He makes me glad; joy bids me sing in awed humility
Who saw beyond the agony of his Son, sacrificed

And only Jesus could fulfill salvation’s grim demand

Jesus! Sin’s outpoured offering God’s gift of grace affords
He makes me glad; though oft we grieve this world’s darkness-filled boast

Nor entered into human hearts the things God has prepared

He makes me glad; though all else fails God is not overthrown
And though many are sick and weak, by His goodness unstirred

He makes me glad; though oft I rue the tempter’s cunning vice
Accomplishing mad blindness to salvation’s purchase price
Who satisfied the wrath of God through love’s divine decree

He makes me glad, though often love makes me too sad to laugh
He understands the tear-filled trove I lift on their behalf
Fearless, though unprepared to meet the Saviour of their soul

He makes me glad; goodness and mercy follow me always
His comfort strengthens tenderly and fills my heart with praise
For He has made me glad; my prayer, my joy cries ‘what is man
Oh God, You knew the cross was there before the world began’


© Janet Martin

Eph.1:3-6
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. 
4For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world
 to be holy and blameless in His presence. 
In love 5He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ,
 according to the good pleasure of His will, 
to the praise of His glorious grace,
 which He has freely given us in the Beloved One.

1 Pet.1:18-19
For you know that it was not with perishable things 
such as silver or gold that you were redeemed 
from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors,
 but with the precious blood of Christ,
 a lamb without blemish or defect.






Monday, April 14, 2025

To Count All Things But Loss...

 From the book- Streams in the Desert compiled by Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman


This is how God’s love was revealed among us: 
God sent His one and only Son into the world,
 so that we might live through Him.
And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us
 and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Phil.3:8
Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence
of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord,
for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,
and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ...
Read the whole glorious chapter HERE




To count all things but loss for Thee
Lord, let this faith's great honour/sole object be
For the excellent knowledge of
Jesus, my Saviour whom I love

To truly count all things but loss
As I behold the bloodstained cross
That held Thy love that never fails
Thy Hands divine, pierced through with nails

Thy body broken, Thy blood shed
My sin upon Thy sinless Head/Stead
As, on the cross of Calvary
You counted all things loss for me

You did not shirk death’s dreadful toll
To be the Saviour of my soul
Thy Father’s will, though Thou didst plea
Did not spare Thee from Calvary

Ah Lord, forbid I prize some claim
Above the glory of Thy Name
Forbid I look upon the cross
Yet cannot count all things but loss

Lest my boast, like a hollow gong
Resounds, Lord, let this be love’s song
To count all things but loss for Thee
Who counted Thy life loss for me

Lord,  all who repent and believe
Will everlasting life receive
And gain, for all eternity
The loss You bore at Calvary 

Then, fix faith's altar at the cross
Lest I forget to count but loss
All that impedes the knowledge of
Thy grace and everlasting love


© Janet Martin

I love the simplicity of this version of




Lyrics- Isaac Watts

1 When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.


2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.


3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?


4 Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.

Monday, March 3, 2025

In The Light of Salvation

What a weekend of events I was blessed to be part of, 
in roles both of serving and being served through/with our church family!
I am so thankful for fellow-believers who lovingly understand and forgive 
my imperfections and love me because of the love of Christ!
Hallelujah🙏

On Saturday I was part of a team that served food to men 
who gathered for encouragement and instruction, 
as they strive to be spiritual leaders and servants of God
 in their homes, church, community, etc. 






yummy fresh fruit, bundt and coffee cake buffet for the morning refreshments,
...and then I TOTALLY forgot to take pictures of lunch!

***

Fellow-believers are our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Just as in any family, we don't all see eye to eye in everything
but as we cherish and marvel at the grace of God,
through His gift of salvation, He helps us to forgive
and love one another!


We cannot love as we ought, while clinging to grudges,
and hope, while doing so, to reap the benefits/blessings of God's grace.
After professing to receive the gift of saving grace, the redemption
 that pardons the penalty of sin, through the precious blood of Christ,
pray we do not we refuse grace/forgiveness to our fellowman.
Grace to our fellowman is not approving of, or excusing brokenness, sin, etc.
but it is a willingness, in light of God's mercy and faithfulness
to love one another and to trust Him to work in each of our lives 
as we humbly pray for and encourage each other. 

How much we miss firstly, of joy of  the Lord
 and then also of loving each other,
 if we allow bitterness to bind our wounds,
rather than forgiveness! 


Matt.18:21
21 Then Peter came to Him and said,
 “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, 
and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, 
but up to seventy times seven.
 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king 
who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, 
one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 
25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, 
with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 
26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 
‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 
27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, 
released him, and forgave him the debt.

28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants 
who owed him a hundred denarii; 
and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying,
 ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 
29 So his fellow servant fell down [a]at his feet and begged him, saying,
 ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you [b]all.’ 
30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done,
 they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him,
 ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 
33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, 
just as I had pity on you?’ 
34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers 
until he should pay all that was due to him.

35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you 
if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother [c]his trespasses.

***
I/We cannot cling to grudges against those who wrong me/us, yet
Assume the One who judges will forgive me/us, and forget
Each bitter accusation, as God pardons you and me
In the light of salvation loses its validity 

I/we cannot harbour grievances that foster futile strife
Yet claim the gift of righteousness and everlasting life 
Redemption's transformation triumphs where mortal might fails 
In the light of salvation love petitions and prevails 

I/we cannot guard an idol of reasons to sustain spite
Yet boast faith's rich reward with all who have fought The Good Fight 
The God of all creation provides hope in Christ alone
In the light of salvation none are fit to cast a stone  

© Janet Martin



What a foretaste of glory yesterday, as voices united to sing this hymn of worship...



Sunday, January 5, 2025

Sweet and Sacred Solace

Have you confessed before God
that you are a sinner in need of a Saviour?
Have you, by faith received redemption's gift,
salvation for your soul?
Have you experienced the joy and peace 
that only God's full forgiveness brings?
Do you have the assurance, when death comes
That Jesus' death and resurrection
conquered the grave?!
If so, have we not the best reason to rejoice
all the days of our life,
with reverent adoration
for the sweet and sacred solace of
God's abiding Presence, no matter what befalls?!





God is a Redeemer.
When we fall, He cares
Untangling the Dreamer
From besetting snares


God is love. He listens
When we weep He hears
Reaching down from heaven
To gather our tears


God is good and righteous
When faith is deterred
He thrills to delight us
With His faithful word


God is kind and gracious
When we stumble then
Rather than condemn us
He says 'try again'


God is rich in mercy's
Staggering supply
Bidding, but not forcing
How we will reply

© Janet Martin


1 Peter 1:18-19
For you know that it was not with perishable things
 such as silver or gold
 that you were redeemed from the empty way of life 
you inherited from your forefathers, 
/ but with the precious blood of Christ, 
a lamb without blemish or spot.

Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood,
 the forgiveness of our trespasses,
 according to the riches of His grace

Titus 2:14
He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness
 and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession,
 zealous for good deeds.


Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law
 by becoming a curse for us. 
For it is written:
 “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”






Friday, December 27, 2024

Something to Sing About

 Hope flares...


The kindled hearth of dawn...


swells like a golden sea...




Hope flares; the kindled hearth of dawn swells like a golden sea
As God sustains His grace upon Race of Humanity

Hope weeps with wonder-stricken joy, delighting creature cares
While we prove faith and love’s employ by what response declares

God ignites Today’s fire; Mercy warms Want’s hands and feet
Till object of desire and anticipation meet

Dear fellow-friend, do not lose heart but claim hope’s promise true
He whose love stokes dawn’s spark and fans its flame will care for you

Hope flares; the kindled hearth of dawn trembles and overflows
With glimpses of a fairer Yon, that only Heaven knows

© Janet Martin



1 John 5:20
We know also that the Son of God has come 
and has given us understanding, 
so that we may know him who is true. 
And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ.
 He is the true God and eternal life.


Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess,
 for He who promised is faithful.


1 Thessalonians 5:24
The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.

Sometimes when I stand beneath the heavens 
declaring God's glory
 I feel the song below swell and weep 
with hope and joy 
in every breath
every tear,
every prayer...