Wonder of Wonders...

Does the oldest love story ever fill you with newfound wonder?!

Wonder of wonders oft told and retold

Love’s oldest story that never grows old

Jesus left glory and became a man

For the fulfillment of salvation’s plan

Mercy of mercies, where can we begin

To spell the sorrows that suffered for sin

Spotless Perfection became sin for us

Mankind’s salvation through one Name, Jesus

Jesus, oh, Jesus Redeemer and Friend

Wonder of wonders that will never end

Mercy of mercies, you loved us so well

That you left Heaven to save us from hell

© Janet Martin

Phil.2:5-8

 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in very nature^[a] God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature^[b] of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

Adoration Anthem

O holy night what sacred hope Love’s sympathy allowed

Come to redeem with His own blood a lost, unholy crowd

Where sacrifice of bulls and rams would never satisfy

And none amongst the Shepherd’s lambs could ever justify

O Lamb of God who knew no sin left heaven to become

The pure and perfect offering for He was God’s own Son

And though the Father knew the awful price that He would pay

He saw, after death’s sacrifice glad Resurrection Day

...there His wrath was appeased; love looked beyond the suffering

He beheld the accomplishment of life that death would bring

Of many sons and daughters to glory, victorious

Because the blood of Jesus cleanses from unrighteousness

O holy dread, where Bethlehem welcomed Calvary’s Lamb

O manger-bed thy diadem was Yaweh’s Son, I AM

O come then, one and all, where once for all Life dashed death’s sting

Salvation’s pioneer perfected through His suffering

Then let hearts leap for joy and love be bowed with tenderness

Let we who this true hope employ be filled with happiness 

And let us reason together of grace whereby we go

For though our sins were scarlet now we are washed white as snow

O holy night, what sacred joy love’s sympathy allowed

On earth Peace and goodwill to man, prone to be vile and proud

And when this life is over, death has no dominion then

If we believe we will receive eternal life. Amen

© Janet Martin

 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, 

now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, 

so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.  

In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting for God, 

for whom and through whom all things exist, 

to make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.  

For both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family. 

So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 

Heb.2:9-11

Winter Worship and Wonder (a sonnet)

Fresh flakes of snow fell while we were asleep

And draped the earth in a dazzle of stars

Now it is hard for summer-hearts to keep

The joy of winter from breaking through bars

...intended to keep splendid scenes of green

Within thought’s reach (while winds cut like a knife)

To buoy hope through days and months between

Trees robbed of leaves and buds primed with new life

For something about white delight instills

Our sense of sight with kind humility

As the Author of awe always fulfills

And exceeds fanciful expectancy

His Masterpieces startle hearts with cheer

Wonder and worship smile from ear to ear

© Janet Martin

 Yes, I've shared the song below many times...

It is one of my favorite winter-welcome and prelude to Christmas carols!

Morning Mantra

 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, 

that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Psalm 90:14

Rushing from rose-ravished fathoms

From a far-off faithful fount

Rolls a rich and rousing anthem

Of blessing too rife to count

Waning dark dons celebration

Unveiled deeps and sweeps applaud

Through hope’s renewed invitation  

Streams the mercy of our God

Far above faulty perception

Compassion and love ally

Gushing from heaven’s perfection

To the likes of you and I

Shed the dread that breeds derision

Look instead into God’s face

Wooing us from worry’s prison

To the glory of His grace

© Janet Martin

"Thanks is faith turned inside out"

Pastor Jeff Schreve

from article The Joy of Thanks-living

and how did I find the above post?
From this blog...Journeys with God;
another worth-your-while 'pause-place'

Masterpiece of Master Peace

 Last night the wheels fell off the peace-and-goodwill bus for a little...

in a blur of lost tempers and misunderstood personalities that

might never be fully understood this side of Heaven😐 

(aren't you humbly thankful if we confess our sins 

He is faithful and just to forgive our sin

and cleanse us from all unrighteousness?!(1 John 1:9)

As we let those words sink and sink in 

meek gratitude renders

hope renewed

"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."

John 16:33

In this world where fear and sorrow

Molds a masterpiece of care

What is our hope for tomorrow

To defend us from despair

In this world where toil and trouble

Unfurls hobbles of dismay

What buoys and cups time’s bubble

Bobbing toward Judgement Day

In this world where want and waiting

Tries the fealty of us all

What crushes the taunting, hating

Head of evil’s dreadful gall

In this masterpiece of mayhem

In this world of sin and strife

What in the midst of confusion

Is the bulwark in our life

What keeps our eyes fixed on heaven

In this world of blame and shame

Ah this! Knowing we are forgiven

Is the Master Peace we claim

Knowing that nothing can ever

Overthrow Salvation’s Name

Yesterday today forever

Jesus Christ abides the same

Knowing, glorious, victorious

Waves the banner of release

In the cleansing blood of Jesus

All will find love’s Master Peace

© Janet Martin

 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just 

to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 NKJV