Glorious Matters of Fact (for Monday morning's mind-reset)

A Monday-morning poem of encouragement

because sometimes the week can look bleak if we don't seek

Faith's Focus first

May the sunrise of the heavens mirror 

The Son-rise of our hearts!

Romans 5:5

And hope does not put us to shame, 

because God's love has been poured out into our hearts 

through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Because of human nature’s shortcomings, we make mistakes 

And often learn the most through what we wish we could erase 

I could not bear to rise and shine knowing the likelihood 

Of brand-new slips and stumbles but for this fact; God is good 

Because the darkness of this world is great, where evil lurks

Where we sometimes forget God's grace and pride ourselves in works

I could not bear the cross of consequence's bitter blight

But for redemption's Absolute, and this fact; God is Light

Because we are His workmanship, we bear a sacred charge 

To honour Him with what He gives, however small or large 

I could not bear to forge ahead without this peace of mind 

No matter how I fail or fall or fumble; God is kind 

Because we cannot know the thoughts and ways of The Most High 

We ought to give more earnest heed to what we want and why 

I could not bear to wear the ‘easy yoke’ of steadfast trust 

If I did not believe without a doubt that; God is just 

Because the spirit is willing but oh, the flesh so weak 

Too often we fall prey to ways we should not think or speak 

I could not bear to face the day knowing that sure enough 

I’ll prove once more my mercy-need but for this; God is love 

© Janet Martin 

God Is Love

Think on These Things

 

We all have ample 'opportunity' to get caught up in

unprofitable thoughts; envy, fear, doubt, shame, spite, judgment, anxiety...

On and on it goes!

Years ago, when Victoria was part of Gems 

she brought home this verse-card.

It took up permanent residence on the fridge.

Think on these things; Not that which fosters doubt and despair’s woe 

But dwell upon the love and grace of God Whereby we go 

And think upon praiseworthy things to fill the heart with joy 

On noble, true and lovely things that no foe can destroy 

Think on these things 

Do not let thought get mired in the bog of discontent 

Or tangled in deception’s web or regret’s vain judgement 

But rather think on things that build upon the word of He 

Who will not fail no matter what our failing may be 

Think on these things 

Think of the One who sent His Son, the Lord of Heaven and earth 

Who put on man and began life in lowliest of birth 

Laid in a manger for a bed so none can envy He 

Who loved mankind unto death on the cross at Calvary 

Think on these things 

Don’t give place to the devil; he delights in fear and shame 

And a whole host of evil that draws thoughts from Jesus’ Name 

The name above all names that became the scapegoat for man 

To pay the penalty for sin that mortal never can 

Think on these things 

Think of the tree that stands between Eden and Heaven’s Throne 

The Author of the universe rejected by his own 

Has made a way that all may call upon Him and be saved 

His robe of righteousness clads servants of we, once enslaved 

Think on these things 

Think on the things that foster peace and goodwill unto men 

Joy to the world, the Lord is come to break the curse of sin 

With Soul’s salvation as a gift, not works, lest any boast 

Death’s outer darkness pierced by love and mercy’s uttermost 

Think on these things 

© Janet Martin 

Quite a Day-and-Night Indictment

Sometimes dawn is a gray slate,

..and sometimes a scroll of molten pink and gold!

...but always the same God bestows!

Darkness recedes as daylight seeps from deeps unscathed by eyes 

The seamless sweep of moments metes new day’s virginal prize 

Time’s treasure trove of push and shove and Love’s stumble-pocked chase 

Is overflowing with the glowing Evidence of grace 

The darksome lid of Said-and-Did lowered and sealed its cask 

Where what seems hidden is soon bidden to some fellow’s flask 

There is a spigot in the frigate filled with gated shores 

And from the drum of Said-and-done its gravid gumption pours 

This breath of life is like a knife where strife and hunger test 

Its death-doomed roar with birth once more in tours form east to west 

Where Hope, abreast dawn’s maiden quest that soon begets farewell 

Will help us cope while moments slope toward Heaven or hell 

This daily grace none can retrace, laced with most Sacred Fact 

Is like a barge laden with Charge, life-at-large keeps intact 

Darkness recedes while Someone heeds the needs none can outfox 

Soul, hidden in a skiff of rag-thin skin, sutured by clocks 

Tick-tock, tick-tock, stitching and unravelling synchronized 

The boon of morning, noon and night, a schooner, Mercy-prized 

Its journey to, nay, through the grave, may seem sustained on sod 

But it is quite a day-and-night-indicted trek to God 

© Janet Martin 

Sometimes I like to take rhyming challenges to the limits...

It isn't perfect, but was still a thrill to try.

The beginning of the Book of  Ecclesiastes;

 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

“Vanity[a] of vanities,” says the Preacher;

“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.

What profit has a man from all his labor

In which he [b]toils under the sun?4 

One generation passes away, and another generation comes;

But the earth abides forever.5 

The sun also rises, and the sun goes down,

And [c]hastens to the place where it arose.6 

The wind goes toward the south,

And turns around to the north;

The wind whirls about continually,

And comes again on its circuit.7 

All the rivers run into the sea,

Yet the sea is not full;

To the place from which the rivers come,

There they return again.8 

All things are [d]full of labor;

Man cannot express it.

The eye is not satisfied with seeing,

Nor the ear filled with hearing

That which has been is what will be,

That which is done is what will be done,

And there is nothing new under the sun.

The Ending of the Book of Ecclesiastes;

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,

For this is man’s all.

14 

For God will bring every work into judgment,

Including every secret thing,

Whether good or evil.

Earth's Beauty Gladdens Me

If it wouldn't be for the beauty I wouldn't care much for Canadian winters, 

I remarked this snowy morning.

But the beauty of it wins me over every time!

And I fall for it; look-find and thinker

Oh, the whole house is swaddled with snow giving it an air of a cozy study/snug!

So I am writing instead of house-working for a bit💗

Earth’s beauty comforts me; God’s autograph run wild 

Thrills me with wonder that He is my Father; I, His child 

Where earth-and-heavens scope is but the outer fringe 

Of who He is our Living Hope and Soul’s Immortal Hinge 

Earth’s beauty delights me; where earth’s four-season fare 

Ignites a kind of poetry that ink can never snare 

Because Creator God is greater than Thought’s bound 

He fills the sky and sea and sod with worship’s holy ground 

Earth’s beauty assures me of Mercy’s Master Plan 

The Lord of nature’s majesty is not deterred by man 

And none can thwart the Hand that orders gravity 

As seasons obey the command of His Authority 

Earth’s beauty reminds me that we are not alone 

The Creator of seed's bounty cannot be overthrown 

How often unbeknownst His kindness intercedes 

Down to His footstool from His throne, He satisfies our needs 

Earth’s beauty nurtures me with feasts from love’s buffet 

Where troublesome calamity is not the final say 

Where this old careworn world is ready for rebirth 

As final prophecies unfurl beauty freed from death’s curse

Earth's beauty gladdens me; I thank God for the prize

Of full-coloured nativity and sight befitted eyes 

Earth's beauty brims with joy; God's tenderness run wild

And pure as love of baby boy in Bethlehem's Christ-child 

© Janet Martin 

Isa.66:1-2

Thus says the LORD:
“Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool;
what is the house that you would build for me,
and what is the place of my rest?
2All these things my hand has made,
and so all these things came to be,
declares the LORD.
But this is the one to whom I will look:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit
and trembles at my word.

Faith Does Not Come Naturally

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, 

but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Tim.1:7

 Day By Day Hymn

David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin,

 but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, 

the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

1 Samuel 17:45

Faith does not carve an easy path; this laying down of self 

To trust the Lord with all our hearts does not come naturally 

Faith bids us forge on, prayer by prayer and step by step until 

We exchange faith for that which this old world will never see 

Faith challenges believers to face giants without fear 

(Well, that is something that does not come naturally, we know) 

Where modern-day Goliaths still swagger, bully and jeer 

And we, with five small stones of faith commence to face the foe 

The God who guided David’s sling is the same God today 

And though we feel so small against ‘sword, spear and javelin’ 

The same Name of the Lord will help modern-day Davids slay 

The giants that defy the Name that we have trusted in 

Faith does not set at ease our eyes but gives us peace of Soul 

God keeps His promises no matter what it seems we see 

No matter what havoc sin wreaks, He is still in control 

Faith is the substance of Hope that does not come naturally 

…we cling to it with purposed might lest we become sight-blind 

God’s everlasting Word will not betray Soul-instilled dust

The evidence of things hoped for, though it vexes the mind 

Turns what does not come naturally to courage as we trust 

© Janet Martin 

James 1:2-8

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 

3knowing that the testing of your faith produces [a]patience. 

4But let patience have its perfect work, 

that you may be [b]perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 

5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally 

and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 

6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, 

for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 

7For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 

8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Prayer for today...

Oh Lord, let me ask in faith, with no doubting!

Amen

Thumbs Up (face to face or screen to screen)

We, the more mature students in the School of Life have learned or are learning 

not to base self-worth on how many likes or thumbs-up we get, 

but it doesn't mean a little 'thumbs up' isn't kind of like a big cyber

 (or face-to-face) smile/hug/ pat on the back.

Sometimes when I'm tempted to think that someone really couldn't care less

whether I 'like' it or not I think about the big boost of courage

some of those little thumbs-up have given me over the years💗

Our love/hate relationship with social-media, like it or not,

for better or worse, carries a weight of response-ability with it.

So whether to the people we meet on the street, in our homes,

or on social media, let's spread some high-five, smiley-face, thumbs-up love!

1 Thess.5:11

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up,

just as in fact you are doing.

Thumbs up can give someone a lift when they are feeling low 

A boost of confidence perhaps, a little ‘way-to-go’ 

A ‘you are not invisible but worth a smile, a prayer 

A kind nod of approval to fend off fiends of despair’ 

Thumbs up can say ‘hey, you’re okay and worth the while God grants’ 

Thumbs up can put a bounce in steps that somehow lost their ‘dance’ 

So, whether face to face or screen to screen, let’s do our part 

To spill some ‘thumbs-up-happiness’ into somebody’s heart 

Thumbs up is so much better than an emoji to vent 

To satisfy our anger in that spurt of resentment 

Better to walk away than say something we will regret 

Better to give a thumbs up and leave scowls and slurs unsaid 

Time is a tireless teacher; age does not deter him much 

We never outgrow needing someone’s time or tender touch 

A teeny, weeny thumbs up might be all somebody needs 

To fan the flame of courage to wherever Today leads 

© Janet Martin

The Impact of a Whisper

 

When we behold the One at last

On Whom we cast our cares

Then we will stand where Time is past

and thus our need for prayers

Did You Think To Pray Charlie Pride

Years ago I was at a Charlie Pride Concert.

When he asked for favorites someone requested this song.

He couldn't completely remember it so he asked for the help

of the audience and we sang this song together.

We’ll never know how far they go 

Who they will touch, or where 

Or ever see entirely 

The impact of a prayer 

With trust we plead for humble need 

For love like He portrayed 

For faith, not fear to commandeer 

And be doubt’s barricade 

We pray for those who never chose 

To serve Christ as their Lord 

Oh, how we pray in case today 

Death seals Choice’s reward 

We pray for eyes to realize 

More than first glance can prove 

For strength and health and want for wealth 

Of treasures stored above 

We lift to Him the hearts that brim 

With sorrow and despair 

We ask God for hope to restore 

Joy in spite of life’s care 

We pray for the sick and those quick

To scorn Hope's Only Way

We pray for the poor who need more

From we with more than they

We pray for grace to help us face 

The enemy of God 

To help us bear another’s care 

And thus fulfill love’s law 

The warpath of faith, hope and love

Is stained with suffering

Where warriors wept while Mercy kept

Them sheltered 'neath His wing

We pray that He would help us be

A reflection of Him

And not put first desires cursed

With selfish wish and whim

We whisper pleas to He who sees

Each hard and hidden part

Where groaning bleeds He intercedes

For He beholds the heart

We pray, for oh we’ll never know 

Who they will touch, when, where 

Or see in full the miracle 

That always starts with prayer 

© Janet Martin 

One among many examples of the miracles wrought through prayer!

Acts 12:1-19

Peter’s Miraculous Escape From Prison

1It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. 4After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. 

Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.

5So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

6The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.

8Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. 9Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. 

It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. 

When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

11Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches 

and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.”

12When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”

15“You’re out of your mind,” they told her. 

When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”

16But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, 

and then he left for another place.

18In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him,

 he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.

December Dusk

December dusk such as tonight

deserves a little tribute

Where blue and gold 

like sea and sand,

wash through a mold 

Of day in hand 

and folds the land 

and sky into 

A world that slip, 

Slip-

Slips from view

Where stubble gleams 

like golden studs... 

that stipple reams 

of frozen mud 

while dusky pink 

to black ink drains

until only 

a moon remains 

© Janet Martin