It's Not What But Who You Know...

Do you know He who delights us with awe, indescribable

Gold and crimson candelabras splashed on vistas, autumnal...

Heavens, wild with glints of glory where faith waits sight's recompense

Earth’s sin-ruined Eden roaring with Relentless Evidence...

This quote “It’s not what you know but who you know”

was mentioned the other day during my Old Stone Farm House visit;

in regard, to how good connections can be invaluable when undertaking a project!

It's so beneficial to know 'the right person who knows the right person for the job' etc.!

When Jesus came to this earth He was fully human and fully God

and no matter who we know, no matter how great and talented

and helpful, it never can compare to knowing He

 who gifts and grants our abilities and talents,

and who worked the greatest work of all; our soul-salvation!

Do you know Him; 

the Saviour of the soul,

the King of kings 

and Lord of Lords?

Do you long to know Him better?

I do, and we can, each time we open His Word

and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to us!

Eph.1:17-21

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 the glorious Father, may give you (us) the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation,

 so that you (we) may know him better. 

18 I pray that the eyes of your (our) heart/s may be enlightened 

in order that you (we) may know the hope to which he has called you, (us)

the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

and his incomparably great power for us who believe. 

That power is the same as the mighty strength 

20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead 

and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 

21 far above all rule and authority, 

power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, 

not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

“THAT'S MY KING!” EXTENDED VERSION - S. M LOCKRIDGE 1970's

John 1:1 ESV

In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

John 1:14 ESV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,

and we have seen his glory,

glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Do you know the One who orders earth’s four-season carousel

He who rends night’s starry heavens with daybreak, unstoppable

He who instills seed-sized kernels with bounty of harvest-hymn

He who created and knows us with a love that will not dim

Do you know He who delights us with awe, indescribable

Gold and crimson candelabras splashed on vistas, autumnal

Heavens, wild with glints of glory where faith waits sight's recompense

Earth’s sin-ruined Eden roaring with Relentless Evidence

Do you know He who so loved us that He bore the sinner’s rod

He who paid our debt with His blood; the begotten Son of God

He who shattered Satan’s scheming, bridging death and hell’s dark rift

The Light of the world who longs for all to receive His grace-gift

Do you know the One who grants us strength beyond all human scope

He who is to every mortal, unchanging, immortal hope

He whose mercy none can fathom, whose compassion none can drain

He whose loving kindness forgives, over and over again

Do You know Him; I AM, who is without beginning or end

Builder and Ruler of Zion desires to be our Friend

He who stuns the eye with seeing and the ear with nature’s lay

He who melts hard hearts, embittered by the troubles of the day

Do you know Him, love Him, trust Him, fear , revere, His Holy Word

To You long to know Him better with devotion undeterred

Do you fix your eyes on a prize beyond this brief, (grief) broken world

For someday on clouds of Heaven, all will see I AM unfurled

© Janet Martin

It was one of those so-beautiful-it-hurt sunrises ...

Praise Him Praise Hymn

 

Yesterday I enjoyed the sheer delight of being a guest 

at the beautiful home of someone who was a friend,

mainly online, as we connected through mutual loves and interests.

As she took myself and two more guests on a tour through her home, 

filled with so many loving and thoughtful touches that spoke 

so completely to my domestic, love-of-old-things soul...

I felt a little like I was in heaven-on-earth...so happy!

Photos used with permission

The loving hospitality of the hostess

And the face-to-face fellowship of friends was the crowning joy.

Now she is a friend, beyond a computer-screen connection💖

She blogs  here- at Homespun Musings

(Through her latest post  you too

can be a guest of sorts in her beautiful home!)

Yesterday's comfortable visit contrasts sharply with

the love spoken of in my Scripture reading today-Isa. 53;

the ending of that chapter steals my breath every time!!

(and makes me weep for joy to think through Christ alone

my hope, my home in heaven with Him has been secured!)

Yet it pleased the Lord to [q]bruise Him;

He has put Him to grief.

When You make His soul an offering for sin,

He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,

And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.

11 [r]He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied.

By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,

For He shall bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,

And He shall divide the [s]spoil with the strong,

Because He poured out His soul unto death,

And He was numbered with the transgressors,

And He bore the sin of many,

And made intercession for the transgressors.

With whatever fills our day, hands, arms, let's praise Him!!

because someday, because of Calvary, all believers

will enjoy face to face fellowship with Him,

though now we see through a glass darkly, then face to face

Praise He, whose relentless goodness is enough to satisfy

He whose tender, loving kindness never dwindles its supply

He whose judgments, just and righteous, ever point to Calvary

He whose agony delights us with the hope that sets us free

Praise the Author of salvation with a broom, a spade, a cart

Praise the Father of creation with a glad and humbled heart

Praise Him for His Word that never lies and never leads astray

He who moves faith’s prayers through frontlines that no enemy can stay

Praise The One who never gives us more than He can help us bear

He whose faithfulness delivers us from evil’s cunning snare

Praise Him with a limp, a stumble, with a flying leap of faith

With croak or voice of an angel, Praise the Lord with every breath

Praise Him in the thick of labor with motives of love alone

Love for God first, then our neighbor, love that makes Satan’s ranks groan

Praise He who, scorned and rejected by His own, disowned, despised

Bore death to be resurrected; for our peace He was chastised

Praise Him with devotion’s stutters; who can worship’s wonder spell?

He who draws us from sin’s gutters and saves us from death and hell

Never leaves us or forsakes us; He, well-versed with grief and loss

For His righteous pleasure breaks us in the shadow of the cross/into the shape of the cross

Breaks the pride that authors error, for the sake of faith’s increase

Takes the fear that authors terror that salvation turns to peace

Then wherever, with whatever tool of trade we wage and wield

Praise the Lord, now and forever, for by His stripes we are healed

© Janet Martin

Hitting-snooze-button accountability-I hit snooze, more than once!!😟

Living Love-song

Three lively youngsters are arriving shortly so their mom and dad

can have a little reprieve to celebrate 10 years of marriage.

Plans for a weekend getaway, due to life's unexpected curves,

were altered to a day-getaway!

p-s-s-st!! Due to cool, rainy weather I see another intense

memory-game on the horizon ...

..with two little players who

have no qualms about sneaking a peek if necessary😂💕

Here is a little hymn/prayer to the Keeper of our days,

who, through all of life's ups and downs

reminds us over and over 'Fear not'.

To the Keeper of our days may we live/lift a hymn of praise

May our meditations be pleasing, oh God, unto Thee

May our labors great and small magnify Thee, Lord of all

Thou who dost behold the heart of we who see, but in part

Guard our thought and guide our feet until face to face, we meet

Until dust reclaims it due and trust beholds all things new

May our utter longing be to live a love-song for Thee

© Janet Martin

 

🙏 as we pray for so many torn from their

earthly homes...

A Living Prayer

Before Today's Unknown Begins...

Before I could get this morning's poem up

today's unknowns began to emerge;

some ever-so-cute-and-sweetly!!

Grand-sonny was so amused and intrigued by the black thing with a

curly string attached to it, and gramma talked to it!!

I put it to his ear so he could hear grandpa!

(Grandpa is one of his favs!)

Thank-you God, for so many blessings 

but best of all, Your Word

to light life's path every day!

Below, part of today's 'Lamplight'...

Isa. 33

Before duty’s demands consume our time and energy

Before life’s brunt of cares vexes idyllic poetry

Before fresh break of day is drawn away by moment-steads

Or brushed aside, like toast-crumbs to a tide of wants and needs

Before Today’s Unknown begins to emerge into view

And lessons yet to learn challenge what once we thought we knew

Before what none can trick or tame is snuffed like candlelight

And tucked beneath a quilt pieced with patchwork of morn-to-night

Before we rush headlong into the fray of say-and-do

We should remember who we should surrender today to

And touch the hem of He who said ‘Thy faith has made thee whole’

He who is Giver and Taker and Keeper of each soul

Before we forge ahead where truth and temptation compete

Pray, Lord, we lift Your word to be a lamp unto our feet

A light unto our path, so, in whatever life may bring

Our souls may find sweet refuge in the shadow of Your Wing

© Janet Martin

tackling some end-of-season harvest this afternoon!

Psalm 63:5-8

My soul is satisfied as with the richest of foods;

with joyful lips my mouth will praise You.

6When I remember You on my bed,

I think of You through the watches of the night.

7For You are my help;

I will sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings.

8My soul clings to You;

Your right hand upholds me.

Jesus, Messiah

With Groans too Deep For Words

Luke 21:28

Now when these things begin to happen, 

look up and lift up your heads,

 because your redemption draws near.”

We weep and pray for you, 

(With groans too deep for words)

dear, suffering fellow-believers

in Israel, as well as those in many others countries in 

Africa, Europe, and Asia😥💔🙏

Isa.30:18-21

And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, 

and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: 

for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: 

he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; 

when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.

20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, 

yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, 

but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:

21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, 

when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left...

 The Ancient of Day

The whole earth groans with pain as we wait eagerly

For Thy return and none knows when Redemption’s Day will be

Thy hope has set us free from bondage of decay

The power of the enemy cannot Thy will dismay

Thou, Beginning and End, Thou, The First and the Last

Thou, Heavenly Father and Friend, will hold Thy people fast

Thou, Salvation and Light, quells lurking dreads and fears

In Thee we put our trust; Thy might breaks bows and shatters spears

Greater art Thou in us than evil’s hate unfurled

Futile is the ruckus, of he whose kingdom is this world

This world is not the home of those who trust in Thee

Though waters roar and foam and mountains fall into the sea,

…though kingdoms crumble, oh, and nations rage and moan

You bid us to be still and know that You are God alone

Ancient Fortress and Stay, faithful Ancient of Days

In Thee we put our trust for aye; exalting Thee with praise

Come all, and trust in He Whose Coming We Revere

Stand up and lift your heads and see redemption drawing near

© Janet Martin

Rom.8:18-27

I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.

  19The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God.

  20For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, 

but because of the One who subjected it, in hope

  21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay 

and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

22We know that the whole creation has been groaning together

 in the pains of childbirth until the present time.

  23Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, 

groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

  24For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. 

Who hopes for what he can already see? 

25But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.

26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. 

For we do not know how we ought to pray, 

but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.

  27And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, 

because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Psalm 46

God Is Our Refuge and Strength

(2 Kings 18:13–16; 2 Chronicles 32:1–8)

For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth.a A song.

1God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in times of trouble.

2Therefore we will not fear,

though the earth is transformed

and the mountains are toppled

into the depths of the seas,

3though their waters roar and foam

and the mountains quake in the surge.

Selah

4There is a river whose streams delight the city of God,

the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5God is within her; she will not be moved.

God will help her when morning dawns.

6Nations rage, kingdoms crumble;

the earth melts when He lifts His voice.

7The LORD of Hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Selah

8Come, see the works of the LORD,

who brings devastation upon the earth.

9He makes wars to cease throughout the earth;

He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

He burns the shieldsb in the fire.

10“Be still and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted over the earth.”

11The LORD of Hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Selah

Foretaste of Forever

Because this is the week leading up to Canada's Thanksgiving Weekend

I've been pondering various angles and expressions

of true thanks-living...

1 Tim.4:1-11

Now the Spirit [a]expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith,

giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods

which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

4 For every creature of God is good,

and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;

5 for it is [b]sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

6 If you instruct the brethren in these things,

you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ,

nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine

which you have carefully followed.

7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.

8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things,

having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.

10 For to this end [c]we both labor and suffer reproach,

because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men,

especially of those who believe.

11 These things command and teach.

Here it is again!!

God's renewed mercy! 

Lam.3:22-23

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,

Because His compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

Thank-you, thank-you, Lord

May Thy renewed mercy 

kindle faith's renewed delight!

***

Not with begrudging acquiescence

Or forced generosity

May more than pious performance

Emulate sincerity

Not to soothe heart-parts still stony

By fulfilling duty's bid

Or to balance testimony

On an ‘invisible grid’

Nor for the sake of appearance

Earning holy brownie-points

Through meticulous adherence

To religious do's and don'ts   

But with unpretentious pleasure

And with unaffected praise

Storing treasure over treasure

Beyond mortal’s measured gaze

With devotion’s willing labor

May life's unfeigned gladness be

To love God first, then by neighbor

Because of God’s love for me

May Motive's earnest endeavor

With genuine fervor brim

In earth’s foretaste of forever

Bringing all glory to Him

© Janet Martin

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow

Joy Unspeakable

Today's Sunday School lesson

 for my Gr.4-6 class was the parable of the talents from Matt.25:14-30

My prayer is that these little weekly gettogethers will help to

grow their love for God into a joyful, living faith,

wakening their hearts to many opportunities to serve Him every day,

with what He has given,

no matter who or where we are...

that our daily prayer may be at every age

to be good and faithful stewards

Below are a few questions and verses from the lesson...

(good questions and verses to meditate on at any age!)

What are some ways you can use 

what you’ve been given to love God and serve Him?

Why is it worth it, to use what we’ve been given to serve God?

Why was the evil servant wrong to hide the talent?

Rom.11:35-36

“Who has ever given to God,

that God should repay them?”[a]

36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.

To him be the glory forever!

 Amen.

Rom.14:17-18

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, 

but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 

18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God 

and receives human approval.

1 Pet. 4:10-11

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, 

as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 

11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. 

If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides,

 so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

 To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.

 Amen.

To the true follower of Jesus

there is nothing sweeter on earth

than gathering with fellow-believers 

to worship our Saviour!

Here we renew reverence and encouragement

to be faithful stewards!

All that Thrills My Soul is Jesus

What joy to gather together

To be drawn in one embrace

With love’s invisible tether

Of communal hope and grace

Of humble, glad expectation

To be overcome once more

By devotion’s celebration

To the Savior we adore

To be filled with wordless wonder

As our hearts and souls are wed

In reverence as we ponder

He who died in our stead

What a friend we have in Jesus

Oh, what joy His love bestows

The power of the cross frees us

From the debt each sinner owes

What a beautiful reminder

As we join to praise the Lord

To determine to be kinder

To love and obey His word

To find in worship’s communion

Inexpressible delight

At the glimpse of a Reunion

When at last faith turns to sight

© Janet Martin

1 Pet.1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! 

By His great mercy He has given us new birthb into a living hope

 through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

4and into an inheritance that is imperishable, 

undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,

  5who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation

 that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

6In this you greatly rejoice, 

though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials

7so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, 

perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, 

glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

8Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; 

and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him 

and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 

9now that you are receiving the goal of your faith, 

the salvation of your souls.

Of Highs and Lows (that life bestows) or Faith's Footpath

So much to rejoice in 

and so much to mourn

This is the battle to

which we are born

But He who made us 

fits us for the fight

Because faith's footpath

Is not walked by sight!

Wishing you a precious sense of His Presence

in the highs and lows that life bestows

Psalm 125:2

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, 

so the LORD surrounds His people, 

both now and forevermore.

Someday the highs and lows that life bestows will turn to mist

The all-consuming here and now will no longer exist

Someday all will reply to a call, none knows when will be

When, in the twinkling of an eye man meets eternity

As final breath eclipses mortal groaning and applause

As moment-let ellipses 

meld into 

A Life That Was

Meanwhile, this day the Lord has made beckons us to rejoice

In mercy’s evidence portrayed where morning lifts its voice

And lays beneath faith’s stumbling steps and agonies of dust

Sufficient grace to help mortal ineptness to entrust

Today’s unknowns to He who knows, who attends and sustains

Through highs and lows 

that life bestows 

as long as time remains

The beauty of the earth is scarred by consequence of sin

The best of man is marred by Adamic natures within

The heart, des’prately wicked, (yet not without hope!!), through He

Who left his throne to pay the debt that sets doomed sinners free

As true repentance and belief receive salvation’s gift

Life's highs and lows 

of joy and grief, 

faith’s footpath through Time’s rift

Someday yon hills will spill with rose gardens that never fade

No ill will mar the thrill of endless day the Lord has made

Someday ‘the way things are’ will cease, in pastures ever-green

We will behold love’s masterpiece with no dark glass between

As we pass through a curtain-close thought cannot comprehend

Someday, when highs and lows 

that life bestows 

come to an end

© Janet Martin

Knowledge, Too Wonderful For Me

This morning the news of the second one of our children needing to replace

the transmission on their vehicles, reminds us,

in this world we will have (expensive) trouble...

but we have a faithful Helper in times of need

to trust day by day...

Ps.46:1

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble...

2 Pet.3:18

But grow in the grace and knowledge

 of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 To him be glory both now and forever!

 Amen.  

The God who grants countless visual marvels

authors faith's far more awesome and Invisible 

marvels/anchors of the soul!

Hallelujah!

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.”

Knowing that You love us, Lord

Knowing that You keep Your word

Knowing that Your word is true

Anchors our hope in You

Knowing that Your no and yes

Leads in paths of righteousness

Comforts us through trouble’s test

Knowing You know what is best

Knowing, when our own strength fails

Your sufficient grace prevails

Cheers us on from day to day

Knowing that You know the way 

Knowing someday, face to face

Will faith’s darksome glass erase

Helps us in all that we do

To keep our eyes on You

Knowing that You hear and care

For the heart outpoured in prayer

Humbles every word and deed

Knowing You supply our need

Knowing You know every part

Every intent of the heart

Silences all boast but one

The cross suffered by your Son

Knowing, that as we believe

And salvation’s gift receive

Joy will crown this old world's woe

Knowing that You love us so

© Janet Martin

Ps.139:5-6

You hem me in behind and before;

You have laid Your hand upon me.

6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too lofty for me to attain.

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Is this the joyful and triumphant highlight of our week?

To gather with fellow-believers and adore Him?!!

For the believer this song is an all-year song, isn't it?!

O, Come Let Us Adore Him

O, come, all ye faithful, ye weary, ye grateful

O, come all ye seekers of hope, joy and peace

To worship our Maker, our God and our Saviour

To praise He who purchased doomed sinner’s release

O, come all ye thirsty, O, come to the waters

Come, ye without money, O, come, buy and eat

Come and adore He whose love never wavers

But whose delight makes the Soul’s joy complete

O, come, for the cross of Christ makes no exception

Salvations waits for all who call on Him

Worthy the Lamb who achieved our redemption

Come, let the music of thanksgiving brim

O, come all ye faithful, happy, heavy-laden

Come and partake in love’s feast of delight

O, come all ye faithful to praise and adore Him

He who will always guide seekers aright

He who will arm and fit us for the fight

© Janet Martin

Isa.55:1-3

Come, all you who are thirsty,

come to the waters;

and you without money,

come, buy, and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk

without money and without cost!

2Why spend money on that which is not bread,

and your labor on that which does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,

and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.

3Incline your ear and come to Me;

listen, so that your soul may live.

The Driving Force of Love...

Vain, ah vain is love's façade

We try to maintain, without God

Futile, futile, its driving force

Until we recognize love's Source

It is impossible to deny God yet claim to love...

1 John 4:7

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.

 Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

 

The 'brutal honesty' of the book

  My Utmost for His Highest' by Oswald Chambers

leaves no stone unturned in life's journey,

(after we have confessed the name of Jesus)

often challenging the reader with realizations of what 

we may try to gloss over or ignore!!!

These below are no exception!

The driving force of love challenges you and I

Because its evidence will prove love cannot tell a lie

Though noise of bluff and boast can put on quite a show

Who we love and honour the most is bound to overflow

Into life’s daily grind of want and sacrifice

The driving force of love will find a way to pay the price

….for love comes with a cost that love alone pursues

Love is no thoughtless penny tossed with nothing much to lose

Oh no, love always takes to give; this is the part

That will reveal, by how we live, whose love reigns in the heart

© Janet Martin

1 John 2:15-17

Do not love the world or the things 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 lust of the flesh, 

the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—

is not of the Father but is of the world. 

17And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; 

but he who does the will of God abides forever.

2 Tim.3:1-5

But know this, that in the last days [a]perilous times will come:

 2For men will be lovers of themselves,

 lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, 

disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3unloving,

 [b]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, 

brutal, despisers of good, 

4traitors, headstrong, haughty, 

lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

 5having a form of godliness but denying its power.

 And from such people turn away!

Give Me Jesus-Fernando Ortega