Sacred Summons

I was going to write a first day of summer celebration poem

but instead today's (first) poem, turned into a sacred summons poem, 

After this morning's scripture reading. 1 Cor. 4.

1 Cor.4: 4-7

My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent.

 It is the Lord who judges me. 

 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; 

wait until the Lord comes. 

He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness 

and will expose the motives of the heart.

 At that time each will receive their praise from God.

 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself 

and Apollos for your benefit, 

so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying,

 “Do not go beyond what is written.” 

Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower 

of one of us over against the other. 

 For who makes you different from anyone else? 

What do you have that you did not receive? 

And if you did receive it, 

why do you boast as though you did not?

Sermon to Self (and others); 

Imagine

what a glimpse

 of heaven

earth would be

If  I, (we all) gave

all I, (we) could,

mindful always

 of He, The Giver

Who gave His Best/All

for you and me

John 3:16

For God so loved the world 

that He gave His only begotten Son, 

that whoever believes in Him 

should not perish but have everlasting life.

Last night these ominous clouds...

...turned into a much needed shower! 🙏

With what we have

With what we seek

With heart and soul and mind

May He who gave/gives

Make us more meek

More humble, faithful, kind

With what we know

And what we learn

With deeper gratitude

May goodness flow

With tender turn

From God's mercy renewed 

With how we live

And how we love

May worship's fountain brim

With praise we give

To God above

For all that comes from Him 

With all we have

With every breath

May we  proclaim the One

Who robbed the grave

Who conquered death

Through Jesus Christ, his Son

Worthy is He

Mighty to save

May hallelujahs brim

Eternally,

For all we have,

We have received from Him 

Holy, holy

Life's charge of grace

May we never forget

The love of He

Who took our place

To pay the sinner's debt

Forbid that we

Once wand'ring sheep

Ignore how we should live

Then, miserly

Connive to keep

What God gives us to give 

© Janet Martin

Jude 1:25

To the only wise God our Saviour, 

be glory and majesty, 

dominion and power, 

both now and ever. 

Amen.

The first shower was not enough

to justify 'excuses',

so soon my little neighbor 'helper' and I resumed

our egg hunt!

Potato bug egg hunt, that is 😠

(not quite as delightful as the Easter-kind 😂)

on that note, I'm off to the garden this morning, to resume the task!

God Knows ...

No matter who or where we are

no matter what the circumstance, and why,

God knows...

Isa.26:3

You will keep him in perfect peace, 

Whose mind is stayed on You, 

Because he trusts in You.

What lies ahead we cannot see

Between vistas of retrospect

And the unknown, by faith go we

Enough to know God will direct...

The recompense of joy, still veiled

Where mercy overflows

The grace that love has never failed

For humankind, God knows

The care that kindles earnest prayer

The Want desire foregoes

Lest in its gain, it sets a snare

For fellowman, God knows

The darling of Thought’s hopes and dreams

The hunger of the soul

The example Ideal esteems

The motive and the goal

The altar and the sacrifice

The Voice/voice that choice obeys

The reasoning behind the price

Love, or lack thereof pays

The things we can and cannot change

That bear blessing or curse

The secrets that we rearrange

For better or for worse

The battle cries that faith endures

Idols, faith overthrows

The pardon salvation secures

Through Christ alone, God knows

The needs only He satisfies

To comfort creature woes

And carry us toward faith's Prize

After faith's fight, God knows 

Enough, enough, the soul-dier cries

And turns to face faith's foes

Enough to know that God supplies

Enough to know, God knows

© Janet Martin

2 Tim.1:12

For this reason I also suffer these things; 

nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed 

and am persuaded that He is able 

to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

2 Tim.2:19

Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal:

 “The Lord knows those who are His,”b 

and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”

I Know Whom I Have Believed

Love Song to the Creator

Psalm 68:19

Blessed be the Lord,

Who daily loads us with benefits,

The God of our salvation! Selah

I love the Author of the rose

Of budded fount that overflows

With finest petal filigree

Of delicate, detailed design

Where masterpieces, great and small

Spill in copious free-for-all

Like volumes full of poetry

Where God penned every perfect line

The sweet and juicy happiness

Of strawberry delicious-yes...

I love the beauty of the earth

And sky; how beholding gives birth

To gladness for the thoughts and ways

Of He, no mind can comprehend...

I love the glory God reveals

Where creation’s cupola peals

In reply to finch, lark and wren

(or robin)

In rolling vistas that amaze...

In gardens as they showcase He

Who instills seed with majesty...

I love the joy that God bestows

Through art only He can compose

The thundercloud, tree silhouette

The innocence of pup and child

The sweet and juicy happiness

Of strawberry delicious-yes

The grandeur of sunrise and set

To run wonder’s awed worship wild

I love the glory God reveals

Where creation’s cupola peals

In reply to finch, lark and wren

In rolling vistas that amaze

In gardens as they showcase He

Who instills seed with majesty

And beckons poets, once again

To spill a humble hymn of praise

I love the Author of the rose

Of budded fount that overflows

With finest petal filigree

Of delicate, detailed design

Where masterpieces, great and small

Spill in copious free-for-all

Like volumes full of poetry

Where God penned every perfect line

I love the beauty of the earth

And sky; how beholding gives birth

To gladness for the thoughts and ways

Of He, no mind can comprehend

Of Providence that never wanes

Of love unfathomed, that sustains

Goodness and mercy all our days

Hope’s anchor, faithful to the end

© Janet Martin

I love the beauty of the earth

And sky; 

...how beholding gives birth

To gladness for the thoughts and ways

Of He, no mind can comprehend...

1 Cor.1:26-31

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.

 Not many of you were wise by human standards;

 not many were influential;

not many were of noble birth. 

27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; 

God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 

28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—

and the things that are not—

to nullify the things that are, 

29 so that no one may boast before him. 

30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, 

who has become for us wisdom from God—

that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 

31 Therefore, as it is written: 

“Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[d]

Before The Tree and the Fruit... (or, It May Seem Small in the Planting)

One choice may seem so small, for good or bad,

but small things amassed become something much bigger;

grains of sand make a shore,

drops of water an ocean,

moments, a lifetime.

Choice, repeated becomes a habit!

Our 'habits' become our lives...

Day by day,

verse by verse, 

chapter by chapter 

we read through the Bible

and are spoken to and taught by God, 

or not!

Prayer by prayer 

we learn to worship Him 

and trust Him a little more, 

or not...

What are we going to do Today, 

with our pocket full of moment-seeds

dropping from the Hand of goodness and mercy

to the soil of the soul?

(Where, even in reaping, we are planting!)

I'm about to head out to plant some marigold among the tomatoes,

in hopes of deterring tomato worms!

1 Cor. 1:4-9

I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God

 which was given to you by Christ Jesus, 

5 that you were enriched in everything by Him 

in all [a]utterance and all knowledge, 

6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed [b]in you, 

7 so that you come short in no gift, 

eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

8 who will also confirm you to the end, 

that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

9 God is faithful, by whom you were called 

into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Isn't verse 9 an awesome verse to begin a new week on?

To remind us to make the most of every opportunity?!

It may seem minute, the measure of a moment, thought or seed

But the value of life’s treasure is measured by word and deed

Where Choice bears a holy onus in each little ‘yes’ or ‘no’

Where no one can trick the promise that we will reap what we sow

It may seem inconsequential; as, partakers of God’s grace

We, oft thoughtlessly unthankful, give the Giver second place

Not with preconceived intention but, as bridles are cut loose

Without forceful intervention interfering with excuse

It may seem so small, where choices gape with opportunity

Be careful, for Reply voices far more than first glance may see

And no matter how we defend lack of honor with excuse

The fruit of seed cannot pretend; what we plant, seed will produce

It may seem so very common; left foot, right foot, slumber, wake

Sometimes we forget that Someone grants each gifted breath we take

Sometimes, then we are not prayerful, humble and obedient

Sometimes then, we are not careful with the seeds God’s goodness lent

It may not seem very dire, crucial or imperative

What or who attunes desire, what we choose to keep or give

Who we worship in the granting of love and longing’s pursuit

It may seem small in the planting, before the tree and the fruit

© Janet Martin

Day by Day

A Blessing for Dads

Happy Father's Day...

I am grateful for the many sacrifices Jim makes

for the benefit of us, his family!

Thank-you 💖

Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, 

bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

I am so thankful to God for my dad who loved the Lord

and instilled the spark of God's love in us when we were but a little child,

and nurtured it, sometimes by great frustration of the child

into something we can look back on, in maturity

and marvel at his wisdom!! 

A photo from a month ago of my grandson and his daddy...

my love and prayers are with young dads esp. who are seeking to

raise children to grow into godly men and women, in an ungodly world.

What a tremendous, sacred calling, dear young fathers, you have!

I pray God's Word is a lamp to your feet

and a light to your path!

Without it we stray and become wise in our own eyes 🙏

God bless the dad who is undeterred

In training a child through the lens/Light of God’s Word

God bless the dad whose ultimate goal

Is nurturing child in both body and soul

…who teaches his children to love and revere

Our Father in Heaven, who loves us so dear

God, bless the dad who hallows Your name

And teaches his children to do the same

And, bless the dad who, when the going gets tough

Still trusts in Your promises to be enough

Who instructs his children with more than mere talk

But, sets by example, the way they should walk

…who faithfully labors and faithfully prays

And shoulders the yoke of his call, by God’s grace

© Janet Martin

I love this excerpt from the book Little Rivers

by Henry Van Dyke

I'm sorry I can't share the whole chapter!

I'm dusting off an oldie this morning, as well;

a poem my son and some of his friends read for a Father's day church service 

around 16 years ago!

Some dads are really, really cool, and some are really smart,

Some dads barely went to school but still have big soft hearts,

Some dads stand up straight and tall and look all sober-like

As if they’ve never thrown a ball or raced on their old bike,

Some dads like to tease and wink and some dads laugh a lot,

I guess, I suppose, it depends, I think, on how many bills they’ve got,

‘Cause dad says, as long as the bills keep a-comin’,

He’ll have to get up an’ keep on a-workin’,

And God bless the dad that keeps on a-hummin’

Even when the bills keep a-comin’

Some dads make lots of money and some, I’ve heard, are broke,

Some say things like sweetheart and honey and some dads never joke,

Some dads work from dawn ‘til dark with little time to play,

Some take their children to the park and some just go away,

Some dads work so very hard so mother can stay home,

Some dads are so very tired, when at last they come,

But, God bless the dad, who at the end of his day

Still gets down on his knees to pray,

And God bless the faithful dad who

Teaches his little ones to pray too

Some dads are really big and tough, while some are short and thin,

Some dads are kinda’ rough and some are gentlemen,

Some dad’s hair is curly and some dad’s hair is gray,

Some don’t really worry ‘cause their hair has gone away,

Some dads drive pick-ups shiny and new, some say any wheels will do,

'As long as it takes me to work and such, and the insurance on it isn’t too much,'

Some dads whistle and some dads sing,

At home some dads feel as rich as a king,

But for one thing I sure am glad,

God knew how much we’d need some dads

Some dads read God’s word every night, some never read at all,

Some dads teach us wrong from right to guide us lest we fall,

And some dads are a little like God, I suppose,

‘Cause through trial and error this dad knows

Though hearts be broken and sometimes need mending,

A father’s love is never-ending,

And God bless the dad whose love never fails,

When the going gets bad, love still prevails,

Thus, for one thing I sure am glad, 

God knew how much we’d need some dads,

Some dads’ sure leave big shoes to fill 

but the One who guides them will be there still,

Someday, when someone says they’re glad 

God knew how much we’d need some dads

Janet Martin

To Be a Living Sacrifice

 To be a living sacrifice requires an awareness 

of a heart-shaped altar and

the holy ground called Today

Today's Holy Ground is the

Happy Halfway through June point!

Already?!!

Rom.12:1

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters,

in view of God’s mercy,

to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,

holy and pleasing to God—

this is your true and proper worship.

Eph.6:10-11

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord 

and in the power of His might.

  11Put on the whole armor of God, 

that you may be able to stand against

the [b]wiles of the devil.

This world is charged with altars; Why, beneath our very feet

Oft good intention falters where worship’s rivals compete

To be a living sacrifice where ‘golden calves’ contend

Is an enterprise of great price and recompense, dear friend

Sometimes sight serves to blind us rather than to help us see

How all that falls behind us bears accountability

To love the Lord with all our heart and soul and strength and mind

To live to do our humble part to be patient and kind

…is impossible to pretend; on altars, ethereal

With word and deed, dear friend we prove who we love most of all

God's guidance is a given for all who His grace sets free

But whether we will listen is no given guarantee 

This world, charged with virtue and vice vying for time and love

Confirms, through what we sacrifice, what nothing else can prove

Lord, pray my love amounts to more than noise of clanging bell 

Where today's altar beckons, Lord, my offering will tell 

 

© Janet Martin

The Gate Ajar

Lovely June...

A medley of June mementos inspiring this poem...

It’s lovely to teach little girls new words, like hollyhock...

And find the kind of tasks that budding gardeners enjoy...

The earth unfolds green blankets on each hill, beneath each tree

Perfect for picnic baskets and a book or three to read...

And buttercups meander through meadowlands where sheep graze

And poet’s breath is stolen by dusting of daisy-snow...

It’s lovely to remember when June rolls across the lea

The things that we forget until they spill from bud and seed

The earth unfolds green blankets on each hill, beneath each tree

Perfect for picnic baskets and a book or three to read

It’s lovely to teach little girls new words, like hollyhock

And find the kind of tasks that budding gardeners enjoy

While leaf-breeze concertos, entertain us with nature’s Bach

And June caters to ageless eagerness of girl and boy

Peony petals uncurl rosy-ruffled elegance

Their short sweet bliss is worth the wait from June to lovely June

Regal lupines and dainty columbine glean compliments

Dusk’s blushing heavens are embellished with pale, crescent moon

And hearts are full of laughter in spite of trouble and such

The arbor is a haven mantled in wisteria plumes

Life dons an air of freedom as schedules relax their clutch

As restless, freckled fugitives are released from classrooms

And dewy dawn is heady with the scent of fresh mown hay

And the rooster is lusty at daybreak at five a.m.

And we arise because June always’ hath too short a day’

Though twilight lingers until at least a quarter to ten

…and orioles are June bug and grape jelly gluttons, oh

And buttercups meander through meadowlands where sheep graze

And poet’s breath is stolen by dusting of daisy-snow

And everywhere we look a Masterpiece captures our gaze

As we, with reverence applaud God’s Magnum Opus, though

We tend to be forgetful while being completely awed

For Want is easy to assuage while June puts on a show

And mesmerizes visage with the gentle hand of God

It’s lovely to remember when June rolls around again

How life’s medley of seasons spins and swirls to memories

And June, tucked in the middle of each year is like a gem

Of blue skies, golden sunshine, green earth and pink peonies

© Janet Martin

And June, tucked in the middle of each year is like a gem

Of blue skies, golden sunshine, green earth and pink peonies...

And everywhere we look a Masterpiece captures our gaze

The Present Is a Very Fleeting Lease...

The wheels of this poem have been turning for a bit;

the first stanza from a book my sister gave me for my birthday

gave it the 'push' it needed...

Rom.14:23

...and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

But hark! On dawn’s horizon mercies toll...

The present is a very fleeting lease

Yet, ever in the present we exist

Future fuels present, then past’s increase

Time’s holy toll is futile to resist

It is easy to slip into sin’s snare

If we dash, unequipped, into its lair

God, what folly godless desires are

Worldly Want squanders Opportunity

While leaping restlessly from star to star

Goaded by nothing but sheer vanity

That deadens senses to a Mute Parade

Drawing the soul to where the Whole is weighed

There is a grief no gladness can console

To reap a sorry harvest of regret

But hark! On dawn’s horizon mercies toll

Oh, pray that sorry sorrow will beget

Repentance; it is not too late to fall

Upon our knees and for redemption call

There are two roads, and only two, oh God

One leads to You, the other leads away

One hones a howling thirst for fleeting laud

The other flaunts no guile to lure or sway

No pleasure to appeal to Sight’s demand

Yet pleasures evermore at Your right hand

Once We were young, who now are growing old

The Subtle Present rushes through our skin

Ere soon the corp’ral coffin will enfold

The carriage Deathless Soul is dwelling in

Oh God, forbid we fall prey to a lie

While the deceiver winks a cunning eye

To ‘dare to be a Daniel’ in an age

That scorns the Sov’reignty of One True God

To fight on a Babylonian stage

Unthwarted by superficial façade

Is not for faint-hearted Intention’s crack

With one hand on the plow while looking back

I shudder at my sad, salt-pillared past

God redeemed; Wisdom cries in mammon-ed streets

Where Sodom and Gomorrah’s shadows cast

Proof of patterns idolatry repeats

How great the darkness devoid of God’s Word

Disobedience prospers, undeterred

Ah, pray that Present Generations heed

The signs prophets foretold about That Day

When Judgment and Redemption intercede

Salvation’s Final Triumph on display

Without your Word to be our Lamp and Light

Oh God, how futile is each war we fight

Oh God, come quickly, oh God, wait, I pray

Where noise-embellished darkness roils and groans

While your grace all-sufficient, waits to save;

Argument and excuse never atones

God, rend the veil that blinds perception's ken

The present is a fleeting lease. Amen

© Janet Martin

2 Tim.3:1-5&14-17 BSB

But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come.

 2For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,

 boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

 3unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control,

 brutal, without love of good, 

4traitorous, reckless, conceited, 

lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. 

Turn away from such as these!

But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, 

since you know from whom you have learned them. 

15From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, 

which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, 

for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 

17so that the man of God may be complete, 

fully equipped for every good work.

Wait a Little longer, Please Jesus