Take a (Humbler) Moment...

Yesterday we celebrated our sweet Victoria's 24th Birthday

Every celebration (esp. since Sept. 17) is raw with humbler awareness 

of life's uncertainty/vulnerability...

My sister Lucy's husband and daughter were a special part

of the celebration; unspoken sorrow tuning our laughter

with kinder joy...

It is with unspeakable tenderness that we treasure the halo of faces

around a dinner table! 

 

(I'm not sure why the beginning and end of 

the song is cut off) oh, well...

***

Ah, take a moment, drink it in; the clime of Time is hasting

Its dawn-to-dusk designed to win the present we are tasting

Where nothing stays the same for long; each season, farewell-smitten

While deathless lyrics to Our Song of Life are being written

Sometimes, while in the bloom of love eyes close, never to waken

The loom that weaves The Mortal Glove, by God given and taken

Then, take a moment more to treasure the halo of faces

Around the table; prize love’s pleasure nothing else replaces

Behold the bud of virgin morn, like a flower unfolding

Where soon the bloom of it is borne to Bygone’s holy holding

Each bud a little like a door that God opens and closes

So, take a humbler moment more to thank Him for life’s roses

For no one knows the day nor hour He will bend without pardon

To pluck another precious flow’r from this world’s wanting garden

Then, drink with mindful regard from a fount filled by life’s Giver

With Ink of Moments that become Our Song of Life forever

Janet Martin

Acts 1:7

Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons

that the Father has fixed by His own authority

( our community is in deep mourning once again;

last week a young husband and father of five,

lost his life in a tragic accident).

Behold the bud of virgin morn, like a flower unfolding

Where soon the bloom of it is borne to Bygone’s holy holding

Each bud a little like a door that God opens and closes

So, take a humbler moment more to thank Him for life’s roses...

Content to be Content

Last night, due to fog etc. the older half of our small group

was unable to be present and I was the only oldie,

(because the host home was two minutes from my home...)

I listened to young parents as they shared delights and challenges of

babies and tots.

Sometimes, youth in its 'youthful loveliness' can make more weathered relics

 hanker for days, long spent and much forgotten,

until my 'leveler head' prevails 😅

Sometimes I hunger deeply for life before the loss of loved ones

 altered it eternally.

Sometimes that longing serves as a wake-up call to 

redeem my time wisely rather than in foolish, futile lament. 💔

This was the Lord’s doing;

It is marvelous in our eyes.

This is the day the Lord has made.

We will rejoice and be glad in it

Ps.118:23-24

Don't wait until tomorrow to smell today's roses...

Sometimes, in foolish moments I hanker for days gone by

Where common scenes have softened until only love remains

Where lessons I once rued while youth unfurled its butterfly

Have settled like gold-dust in the wake of love's growing pains

And then I am content; futile, longing's lament because

Want wishes for a star-glossed world that never really was

Sometimes, in foolish  moments I am tempted to appeal

To once upon gone-good-old-days for laughter's freer vim

Until I turn to gaze at faces, kissable and real

Warm with the precious company of darling Her and Him

And then I am content with blessings too profuse to tell

Sensing a sacred cadence tuning hello with farewell

Sometimes in foolish moments I am blinded by a view

Surreal and sentimental, gleaming in yesterday's sun

Where time's redeeming brush has smoothed what once was troubled too

Where, rather than battlefields, a masterpiece has begun

And then I am content to relinquish Want's wanderlust

God keeps the Part that matters; all else is but dust to dust 

Sometimes, in wiser moments I am able to discern

The hues between the views that else would gleam in flawless poise 

I feel the faded sting of lessons we must live to learn

And even if I could I would not resurrect spent joys 

Content to be content though grief seasons the heart with scars

It grounds and guards love's feet from wand'ring lost, among the stars 

 © Janet Martin

I found this poem-gem in a book

I picked up the other day from our local thrift/treasure store  

In This World We Will Have Trouble...

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.”

The reality of Trump's tariffs fill us with dark foreboding 

as we ponder the repercussions this will have on our (Canada's) economy.

Tariffs. A word that has seized our attention and kindled an outcry 

far greater than words like sin, pride, greed, etc. 

We never welcome trouble and testing

 that crashes into comfort zones and tumbles self-secure 'palaces/solaces'. 

 This generation has been spared the kind of suffering

 our forefathers, founders and builders of this nation endured, 

but we were never given a guarantee that we would always be spared.  

Proverbs 14:34 ESV

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

Jeremiah 2:5 ESV

Thus says the Lord: “What wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me,

 and went after worthlessness, and became worthless?

Jeremiah 18:9-10 ESV

And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it,

and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice,

then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it.

Psalm 91:1-16 ESV

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.

 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge;

 his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 

You will not fear the tariff terror of the night, 

nor the arrow that flies by day, 

Ps.32:11 (read the whole glorious Psalm HERE)

Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
    sing, all you who are upright in heart!

A beautiful reminder of God's unfailing Presence and power

in today's devotion from Streams in the Desert Vol.2 

Dear Lord, Your Word is eternal

What You promise, You will do

In this world we will have trouble

Blessed are all who trust in You

Dear Lord, there is no one greater

Than You, who can thwart Your hand

For You are mankind's Creator

None exempt from Your command

Help us be anxious for nothing

Thank-you Lord, Your Word imparts

Peace that passes understanding

To guard our minds and hearts

This world groans with circumstances

Generations rise and fall

Breath by breath each soul advances

Toward You, Lord, God of all

Then, with earnest expectation

As Your mighty Name we laud

Fill us with fervent elation

For you Lord, are the true God

Dear Lord, Your Word is eternal

No one can its power claim

In this world we will have trouble

A world that You overcame

Dear Lord, Your Word is eternal

Fill faith with fresh zeal again

In this world we will have trouble

But You are Sov'reign. Amen 

© Janet Martin

 

Jer.10:6-7

 (read the whole awesome chapter HERE)

There is none like You, O LORD.

You are great, and Your name is mighty in power.

7Who would not fear You, O King of nations?

This is Your due.

For among all the wise men of the nations,

and in all their kingdoms,

there is none like You...

Only a Holy God

Lyrics

Songwriters: Michael Farren / Rich Thompson / Dustin Smith / Jonny Robinson

Who else commands all the hosts of heaven?

Who else could make every king bow down?

Who else can whisper and darkness trembles?

Only a Holy God

What other beauty demands such praises?

What other splendor outshines the sun?

What other majesty rules with justice?

Only a Holy God

Come and behold Him

The One and the Only

Cry out, sing holy

Forever a Holy God

Come and worship the Holy God

What other glory consumes like fire?

What other power can raise the dead?

What other name remains undefeated?

Only a Holy God

Come and behold Him

The One and the Only

Cry out, sing holy

Forever a Holy God

Come and worship the Holy God

Come and behold Him

The One and the Only

Cry out, sing holy

Forever a Holy God

Come and worship the Holy God

Who else could rescue me from my failing?

Who else would offer His only Son?

Who else invites me to call Him Father?

Only a Holy God

Only my Holy God

Come and behold Him

The One and the Only

Cry out, sing holy

Forever a Holy God

Come and worship the Holy God

Come and behold Him

The One and the Only

Cry out, sing holy

Forever a Holy God

Come and worship the Holy God

Come and worship the Holy God

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

CityAlight ~ Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me (Lyrics)

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

A Give-Me Benediction

 And just like that February is over!!!

Don't you love the sound of a kettle whistling

the prelude to a cup-sized vacay?!!

Give me a kettle that whistles the lyrics

Preceding a cup-sized vacay

Give me a nook with a book and a window

To nurture a noon-getaway

Give me a morning, gold-polished with sunshine

And gladness for mercy renewed

Give me enough lack to keep me from nursing

A heart of ingratitude

Give me a child, innocent and eager,

Brimming with curiosity

Give me an ear that is always half-hearing

Snatches of untamed poetry

Give me the eye of Beholden Beholder

Where earth and sky glory abounds

Give me a cup, though its handle is broken

That joy over joy still confounds

Give me a will, not my own but contented

No matter what today brings

To trust the Giver whose Hand has oft mended

And tuned my oft off-key harp/heart-strings

Give me the goodness of grief-tutored chatter

Rich with mutual sympathy

Pleasureful cadence of voices and laughter

To frame in fond memory…

Give me love’s splendid delight, fierce yet tender

As season-tides rise and fall

Remind me when love cheers the charge of the duty

No task is too common or small

Give me the beauty of daylight departing

In backdrops of deep indigo

Give me a soul not afraid of the smarting

Waiting beyond every hello

Give me the kind of trust that kindles courage

Come whatsoever yet may

Give me a kettle that whistles the welcome

To a cup-sized holiday

© Janet Martin

Give me the eye of Beholden Beholder

Where earth and sky glory abounds...

Give me a nook with a book and a window...

Common-Bound, our Common Ground

We come in all colors, cultures, shapes, sizes and personalities.

But we have so much in common.

Some days we get along and some we don't.

Some days our hopes are bright and some days

We struggle to find delight.

Some days are downers, 

and others filled with laughter and song.

We all at times are disappointed, 

misunderstood, discouraged

and depleted.

We all want to feel needed and appreciated

and loved.

Rather than let our differences draw us a part

we should endeavor to let what we have in common

pull us together!

Because in the end Who we have in common

is what this life is all about!

Our differences keep life interesting

and our common bonds keep it sacred!

The Same Giver stokes the dark with dawn...

while drawing us back to Him!

How we redeem our gifted Time is up to us!

Whether rushing, lagging, pushing,

Pulling, leaping, limping, oh

Whether caring, sharing, hoarding,

Loving, grasping, letting go

Whether groaning, grinning, grunting,

Fretting, trusting God or luck

Tidy, messy, blind to blessings

Or thankful and wonder-struck

Whether lazy or industr'ous

Rough and vulgar, sweet and kind

Foolish, wise, shy or loquacious 

We all should keep this in mind

Whether we are ready, or not

Whether we believe or doubt

We have destiny in common

Who This Life Is All About

Whether prayer-warrior or heedless

Old or young or in between

Principled and conscientious 

Or unmoral and obscene

Whether generous or selfish

Wasteful, prudent, humble, vain

Whether keeping up with Jones's

Or content, pretty or plain 

Whether dull, witty, hale, feeble

Rich, poor, aiding peace or strife

Talented or born to struggle

Taught, or not, who authors life

Whether we take time to find Him,

Know Him, love Him, humbly awed

We have destiny in common

Shell to dust and soul to God

Janet Martin~

Rom.14:10-12

Why, then, do you judge your brother?

 Or why do you belittle your brother?

For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

  11It is written:

“As surely as I live,

says the Lord,

every knee will bow before Me;

every tongue will confess to God.”c

12So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Take Time to Be Holy

Behold The Comforter

John 14:18

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Grief is not all that it appears

Beyond the part we see

Of loss and farewell’s flowing tears

And mourning’s misery

Beyond the appearance of gloom

Sorrow holds out a key

For a Door to an Inner Room

Where Divine Sympathy

Unveils the fulfilled promise of

Mankind’s Deliverer

Behold, God’s outstretched arms of love

Behold, the Comforter

© Janet Martin

Rev.3:20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. 

If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, 

I will come in to him and dine with him,

 and he with Me.

Not For Nothing, This...

We are all part of a 'secret service'

only our Creator knows as

He beholds our hearts...

Does it sometimes seem like the altar of today

is heaped with ashes of sacrifice rather than reward?

Take heart, my dear!

There is a much bigger picture

than the part we see!

Gal.6:9

And let us not grow weary while doing good, 

for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Not all 'rewards' are as quickly beheld

as the treat inside a popping corn kernel!

Grand-sonny could not contain his exhilaration

as they tried out their new stir-crazy last night! 😋😍

No, it is not for nothing, nor forgotten or ignored

No, every loving sacrifice will gain a rich reward

So fix your eyes upon the prize that only faith can win

When God Himself will say 'well done' and bid Thee enter in

No, it is not for nothing, every secret second mile

Or earnest intercession between Abba and his child

Or every 'cup of water' given in the Name of He

Who sees in secret but someday will reward openly 

No, it is not for nothing, to live with Heaven in view

To give love's highest honour to He whom all praise is due

To love your neighbour as yourself, to be earth's sav'ry salt

Knowing what matters most is treasure poured/stored in Heaven's vault 

No, it is not for nothing but for God, who sees the heart

And a much bigger picture than we who see but in part

Until that day when face to face, His beauty we will see

As He reveals faith's resting place for all eternity  

Janet Martin