Enough

 

 "whatever you do, whether in word or deed, 

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through him." 

Colossians 3:17

I started this post at daybreak

(first four lines)

Tonight I tried to get the rusty gears in my head to turn

and pick it up where it left off...

wow! cr-e-e-a-k! 

Great outdoor day!

And wow-some skies all day long!

Under those great skies a lot of flower bulbs got dug,

but muddy hands most of the day so no pictures.

I did stop for a cup of black-currant and mint-leaf tea.

The currant bush had freshly budded leaves.

Those leaves make a fantastic tea when brewed.

Dawn breaks the bud to unveil pastel petals of a Bloom

Today spills from the impalpable shuttle of yon loom

In strands that run through hearts and hands with stark yet subtle ease

To strew behind the art that hangs in mist-kissed galleries

Seasons tumble through treetops while we watch, always spellbound

By nature’s show that never stops, on time’s merry-go-round

Beauty takes no vacation; winter, spring, summer and fall

Exalts without cessation, the Creator of it all

When twilight draws dusk’s curtain blush then blue then black as coal

When all we know for certain is that God is in control

It is enough. To bid us join with nature’s symphony

To exalt He who did and does so much for you and me

© Janet Martin

Autumn Awe-frames

 

autumn keeps swiveling our heads

and slowing our feet

and snuffing want-lists 'neath the tread

of beauty, bittersweet

autumn mellows landscapes and pleas

as woodland bows/boughs untwist

a color-burst of symphonies

that melt like morning mist

autumn is like a painter's gift

each tree a pedestal

showcasing works of art that drift

down petal by petal

autumn enhances ways we trod

with backdrops blue and gold

*where duty serves its honoured squad

with wonders to behold

autumn unravels foliage-fronds

and from its lisle weaves

with tatters from a loom of wands

a counterpane of leaves

© Janet Martin

* my brother and his wife must leave the joys of farming and home-making duties

to other hands as they spend all the time they can with their daughter who is hospitalized

after being injured in an accident last weekend.

She is progressing well but healing simply takes time/patience!

We are excited to see what this week brings in this journey.

but it makes we who are blessed to be able to perform our duties feel

like part of an honoured squad, does it not?!!

With a morning like this my head feels like its on a swivel,

photo-opps everywhere!

Hallelujah, What a Promise

Inspired by my sister-in-law's mom's funeral message and prayers

of hope, comfort and exhortation...

The minister who opened the funeral service stated

'If it were not for people dying a minister’s words would be vanity.'

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

What a privilege and wonder to we who, partakers of

God’s compassion, grace and comfort cannot drain His wells of love

What a hope we have through Jesus; debt no ram could reimburse

Paid upon the cross that frees us from mortal’s inherent curse

Hark! an open invitation, calls to all ‘come unto me’

Beckons to each tribe and nation with salvation’s guarantee

What a blessing to be bidden to draw from Mercy’s wellspring

Though His reasoning is hidden, God is good in everything

Hallelujah, what a Savior, man’s preaching is not in vain

Resurrection’s glorious favour turns death into life again

By one sin we all were blighted; by one death we are set free

By grace we are all invited to a Banquet yet to be

What a joy in spite sorrow, what a peace instills the gale

Yesterday, today, tomorrow, Jesus Christ will never fail

What a journey dust-to-dust is, paved with prayers and washed with tears

What a life of learning trust is, before Jesus reappears

Hallelujah, what a Promise keeps us pressing to the Prize

What a little vapour time is before death opens our eyes

© Janet Martin

Lam.3:24

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”

Battle Cry...

Yea, though we walk through the valley of

the shadow of death, we will fear no evil.

Your rod and Your staff comfort us...

clinging to these verses this morning

from Psalm 23

Please, join us in praying for this situation!!

Missionary group confirms kidnapping of one Canadian, 16 Americans in Haiti

What next?!! I cried as this headline surfaced

and prayers weep and plead on their behalf!

What next we cry 

as sorrows try

and Trial wields its rod

What next for sheep

In the Shepherd's keep?

The goodness and mercy of God!

Prayer is the believer's battle cry!

If God is for us who can be against us?

Rom.8:31

Wars without and wars within

God, deliver us from sin...

The wars that wage within us can stage bitter battle zones

Where wars that wage without conflict where reasoning intones

Where, while we dally in the valley because hills look hard

Windows of opportunity expire, shut and barred

To trust the Lord with all our hearts and not logic of thought

Is to yield humbly, and to seek first the kingdom of God

In all our ways acknowledge Him, and turn the other cheek

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

To fall is not to fail; it is to learn to grasp the Hand

That leads not to temptation but helps us securely stand

Our Father, who art in Heaven, You are truth and light

Through you the grace is given that will fit us for the fight

Your Word is a lamp to our feet, a light unto our path

And suffering is not a foretaste of Your righteous wrath

But is like a refining fire burning off the dross

To see if what remains is broken chains beneath the cross

© Janet Martin

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

 he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: 

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

 I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

 thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: 

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Portrait of October

(still waiting for weather and freedom to work together amiably,

 for a colorful woodland wander/wonder trek.)

These shots were taken on a hike on Monday

 but the trees had not reached their peaks in colours yet

October’s trees are knitted scarves unraveled leaf by leaf

In rivers ruddy fleets embark to ports unmarked, unknown

The aftermath of flowers reminds us that life is brief

Its path of hours more than roulette wheels of dust and stone

October’s artist brushes fleeting frescoes, russet- gold

Where one day the world blushes and the next its colors thin

A sentimental charmer and a body growing old

A Beulah Land for farmer as harvest is gathered in

October’s wind chills to the bone and thrills through heart and soul

It riles the woodland’s dappled domes until they disappear

A Romeo, a scavenger, a tide that takes its toll

From glory to surrender, leaf by leaf and tear by tear

October’s days run wild with ways to spark wonder and praise

Earth’s hills and valleys set ablaze; awe unstoppers its flask

Outpoured where autumn’s Magnum Opus astonishes gaze

While we shoulder the onus of each season’s tender task

October’s umber halls are decked in melodies undone

Where summer’s ballads spilled unchecked through night, morning and noon

But now the bow as it is drawn across strings, season-spun

Begins to slow the tempo on a cello out of tune

© Janet Martin

Autumn's Rainy Goodnight Serenade

 'Simple and quite ordinary but sometimes utterly stunning.' 

from Brenda @ It's a Beautiful Life

The above comment from today's post at Brenda's blog

 aroused a wild desire to draw from the simple and quite ordinary evening, something

(okay, maybe this isn't utterly stunning) 

but something to remember it by...

the beauty of simple things~

The harmony of supper-hour traffic homeward bound through autumn rain evokes a sweet and sentimental tug where gleaming decoupage of leaves, like lamplight on the ground enchants workaday weariness with something like a hug

The lowering of lullabies as dusk begins to fold autumnal red and gold into umbral, blue-gray manteau

Seems to reflect idyllic scenes from simpler days of old as daylight slips and drips into frameworks of long ago

Raindrop tap-dancers dapple driveway, street and promenade, punctuating farewell with silver exclamation tears while we delight in Autumn’s Rainy Goodnight Serenade until the world above and all around us disappears

© Janet Martin

or this...

The harmony of supper-hour traffic homeward bound 

through autumn rain evokes a sweet and sentimental tug 

where gleaming decoupage of leaves, like lamplight on the ground 

enchants workaday weariness with something like a hug

The lowering of lullabies as dusk begins to fold 

autumnal red and gold into umbral, blue-gray manteau

Seems to reflect idyllic scenes from simpler days of old 

as daylight slips and drips into frameworks of long ago

Raindrop tap-dancers dapple driveway, street and promenade,

punctuating farewell with silver exclamation tears

while we delight in Autumn’s Rainy Goodnight Serenade 

until the world above and all around us disappears

© Janet Martin

Pumpkin Pilaf and Meeting Jesus

This dish Pumpkin Pilaf with Dry Fruits on Campfire

from Country Life Vlog

inspired last night's supper!

So, no recipe...

I just tried to imitate what she did, 

the huge difference being, mine was not cooked on a campfire...

The result was pure delight!

SO good😋

(I missed a picture of one step)

After soaked rice, sugared, spiced pumpkin and boiling water-soaked raisins

 are layered in the pan make a sauce of melted butter, white sugar...

Add milk or light cream and boiling water to pan, 

enough liquid to make enough sauce to barely cover pilaf...

Bake at 350-375 till rice and pumpkin are cooked!

Life is like a buffet with lots on display

to whet desire's appetite and keen delight!

This morning's Daily Bread Devotion

challenges us to 

'Delight yourself also in the Lord,

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

Just between you and me

Oh, wouldn’t it be grand

If we would find felicity

In love’s greatest command

And wouldn’t it be nice

To train our taste and touch

To glory in the sacrifice

Of second miles and such

The common bond of need

Makes us like family

Where we all shoulder word and deed’s

Responsibility

The common bond of grace

Levels the playing field

Where delight and desire chase

What soon turns into yield

Just between you and me

Let’s picture if we can

Beneath the faces that we see

Jesus as fellowman

Ah, suddenly want's wish

We'd reevaluate

Embarrassed by the empty dish

Beside our heaping plates

Just between you and me

Oh, wouldn't it be grand

If, as we/He reached out we would see

The nail-scars in His hands  

© Janet Martin

Matt.25:40

And the King will answer and say to them,

 ‘Assuredly, I say to you, 

inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, 

you did it to Me.’

Like a World-wide Barge

Isa.26:3

You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You, 

Because he trusts in You

In case you missed a few of the previous posts, an update:

My brother Lewis and his wife are passing through some storms of life.

Their almost 15 yr. old daughter suffered extensive injuries

 in an accident on the weekend.

While they stayed with her, Lewis's wife's mom passed away 

last night after a battle with cancer!

My sister-in-law suffered the angst of a mother wanting to be with her daughter,

and of a daughter wanting to be with her mother!🙏💔

Tango of mango and merlot, cotton-candy pink

Draws a world of eyes toward dawn’s mercy-immersed brink

Where time's twirl, so full of troubles takes its tender toll

On the body (but the chariot of the deathless soul)

Often we are prone to cater to Self’s dying dust

Rather than our Creator in whom we may trust

He is faithful though we do not understand His ways

Never does He break a promise (this world oft betrays)

Yet we are prone to seek answers not found in His Word

Doubting His love-letters because acumen is blurred

He, who unfetters each morning, like a world-wide barge

Bearing on life’s sea of learning (His most precious charge)

Once again, we embark where uncharted highs and lows

Wait to test our ways of thinking with what grace bestows

As tangos of mango, merlot, cotton candy pink

Fade, never the Giver’s love (no matter what we think)

© Janet Martin

His Love Cannot Fail