Serenade to Simple-Sweet

Good-bye Granola, Hello Muesli (and a few other taste-bud EUREKA moments)

I was inspired by this video by Kylie Flavell

to make a batch of muesli instead of granola

To a baking sheet of rolled oats add 2 heaping teaspoons cinnamon

 and a teaspoon slightly rounded of cloves. Mix

Drizzle with olive oil (approx.1/4-1/3 cup) Mix.

Spread out and bake at 300F-ish until golden brown.

Toast coconut, nuts and seeds...

I used sunflower, pumpkin and flax seeds (sesame would be delicious as well)

 I used sliced almonds (you can use whole and chop after toasting)

Chop dates or apricots (scissors works well for this because they are sticky)

measure out raisins, cranberries or any other dried fruit

If you are watching sugars remember dried fruits are sugar!

They add the sweetness to this muesli recipe.

No sugar, honey, maple syrup etc.

When oats are finished baking mix all together.

So-o-o delicious!

the next recipe has been saved since I came across it in the summer, 

to try at Christmas

Frosted Cranberry Drop Cookies

Worth the wait. WOW! 

Taste-bud bliss😋

(the only tweak (optional); 

a bit of orange juice and grated rind to the batter 

and a bit of grated orange rind in the frosting)

And last but not least...

Not so exciting to look at but

pure pleasure to eat!

Creamy Soft Caramels

Warning; can cause caramel addiction😅

One of life's sweetest, simplest pleasures

 is homemade goodness.

Makes one kinda want to sing 

a little song of gladness/thankfulness

for life's little treasures...

 

sing a song of simple pleasures

let love's longings leap with joy

count thy wealth of humble treasures

 little puppy, girlie, boy

little home-cooked warmth for supper

little hug-kiss, tuck in bed

little starlight-sparkle cover

underfoot and overhead

like a diamond duvet spread

little book-and-tea vacation

little prayer and little poem

 little patchwork of creation

for our little home-sweet-home

little birdie at the feeder

little butter for our bread

little laughter to make sweeter

little sorrow's scarlet thread

binding wounds with hope, not dread

little lease of little learning

little footfall of today

 little tick-tock's no-returning

always slip-slipping away

little moment-elum filling  

little hold and letting go

little lamp-light softly spilling

little halos on the snow

like an angel's afterglow  

Janet~

(new puppy next door wants to meet his neighbors)

'little birdies at the feeder'

'little home-cooked warmth for supper' (or lunch)

 

Because Love Came Down

When Love Came Down to Earth

And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.

Luke 9:43

This post inspired in part by Luke 9

and this message by Charles Spurgeon

The Secret of Loving God

(a few excerpts from this message)

"Faith is an act, partly of the intellect, and partly of the affections.

And we must therefore have both head and heart renewed by the spirit of God

Or we shall not have true faith.

…it is no mere child’s play. No matter to be settled off hand without thought or consideration.

Search yourself and see whether the spirit of God has produced in you

the true knowledge, 

the true faith 

and the true love 

or otherwise whatever you may think you possess 

of these things is not of God.

We love Him because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19

Oh, if you really believe that Jesus loves you 

sit down and turn this over in your mind...

Jesus loves me.

Jesus chose me.

Jesus redeemed me.

Jesus called me.

Jesus has pardoned me.

Jesus has taken me into union with Himself.

Jesus has made me to be a part of The Bride, the Lamb’s wife. 

I shall be one with Him forever!"

When love came down, yon starry height

Was rent with angel host

The darkened world was bathed in Light

And hymns of Heaven’s Boast

When love came down from God to man

In form of helpless babe

The offspring of Love’s Master Plan

Was in a manger laid

When love came down from glory’s Best

To suffer evil’s worst

No one could confound love by test

Because He loved us first

When love came down no man could claim

Worth justifiable

To deserve Jesus Christ who came

One sacrifice for all

When love came down mankind beheld

Love’s/God’s Holy Mystery

The seed that in Virgin’s womb swelled

Infant, Infinity

When love came down, man could not know

How Satan’s scheme was wrecked

Hate tried but could not overthrow

The Cause that births effect

When love came down to you and me

Ah, who with logic whole

Could reject He who came to be

The Savior of the soul

When love came down to sinners vile

Their affection to woo

It made the hosts of Heaven smile

May it make us smile too

...and let the heart of worship brim

And sing, ‘Jesus, Jesus’

And shout for joy this; 'we love Him

Because He first loved us'

From well-springs inexhaustible 

Love's living waters laud

To fulfill the impossible

The love of man for God

With joy unspeakable and sure

God's sorrow forged a crown

The prize of faith and hope secure

Because His love came down

© Janet Martin

another small excerpt from the above message...

Our love is a simplicity founded upon a Mystery…

We love. That is simple enough.

Because He first loved us.

Ah, there is the great mystery which none of us can fully understand.

Like a Wind-swirl or a Splash...

Explanation to this photo at the bottom of this post...💝

This post inspired in part by Luke 8...

in part by scattered seeds, 

soon bearing blooms of consequence, 

and in part the momentum of moments...

Therefore consider carefully how you listen.

Whoever has will be given more;

whoever does not have,

even what they think they have will be taken from them.”

Luke 8:18

“Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

Luke 8:25

“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.”

Luke 8:39

Where clocks unravel so much more than morning, 

noon ...

and night...

(While I was writing this post my mom called to tell me 

my Uncle (Ernie Frey) passed away last night,

making the point of this poem ever the more poignant! 

He was in his 80's but the moment life ceases, the span of

100 years is but a spark and one breath eternity)

Between the bars of birth and death a sacred field unfolds

Where scattered seeds of no and yes soon shatters nascent molds

To strew beneath our hands and feet the fruit of consequence

Where tots follow, so pure and sweet, cloaked in Brief Innocence

What may seem nondescript at first, bursts tick-tock’s tiny glove

The loom of living blessed and cursed with faith or lack thereof

Where clocks unravel so much more than morning, noon and night

The Judge’s gavel poised above the roar of dark and Light

We all have this in common; death’s Summoning of the Soul

The seeds we scatter matter; only faith can make us whole

The Word of God anchors Unknown with Truth’s Security

Time's speck of sod man’s stepping stone into eternity

...this stanza added after mom called💖🙏

Ah look, life’s book of seasons is soon turned to dust and ash

Thought’s tilt-a-whirl of reasons like a wind-swirl or a splash

Where soon the wheel of day-to-day that shapes life’s clay will cease

Ah, pray we hear God say, ‘your faith has saved you. Come in peace’

© Janet Martin

I have one tot in my childcare

 who loathes the sound of tick-tocking clocks right now,

and so we have been trying to allay her fears by bringing clocks up close 

and smooth-talking/soothe-talking time away😅

It's quite an awakening to the adult mind to try to explain time

in terms a small child can understand!!

Oh, That We All Would...

Inspired in part by Luke 7

It was so neat; Luke 7 was yesterday's Dec. 7th reading

and this portion of that chapter was also part of last night's small group study!

Oh, that we all would identify with the woman

 in this beautiful account of Jesus' love for sinners...

Luke 7:36-50

When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[c] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Forgiven-David Crowder

‘Your faith has saved you, go in peace’

Oh, that we all would hear

Love’s blessed verdict of release

As joy fills sorrow’s tear

As we receive forgiveness from

The One who knew no sin

But calls to everybody ‘come’

A new life to begin

Oh, that we all would hear Him say

‘Your sins have been forgiv’n’

To feel guilt’s shackles fall away

Replaced by hope of heav’n

No longer who we once had been

As we confess sin’s score

God washes our rap sheet clean

Rememb’ring it no more

Oh, that we all would be transformed

By the gift faith receives

Through Jesus Christ, of death unarmed

The hour one believes

The gift of God, eternal life

Where once sin’s wage condemned

His peace prevails amidst the strife

By His promises hemmed

Oh, that we all will hear some day

‘Well done!’ and this because

We all would find The Only Way

The Truth, The Life; Jesus

Oh, that we all would be a part

Of hope and joy’s increase

As God transforms the human heart

With righteousness and peace

Oh, that we all would wash His feet

With tears of gratitude

Not trembling at the Judgement Seat

Save with wonder renewed

Oh, that we all would cling to this;

 Redemption's gift, so good

'Your faith has saved you, go in peace'

Oh, but that we all would 

© Janet Martin

Come As You Are-David Crowder

 

Here's My Heart, Lord-David Crowder

Joy-Athletes

Inspired in part by Luke 6

(such a rich chapter! so hard to choose just a few thoughts)

There's no getting around it; God knows our hearts!

Whether what we do is to glorify Him first through loving our neighbour as our self

or whether we live to look after personal interests first!

Jesus reminded the Pharisees that the 'Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.'

He taught us that it is always lawful to do good on any day of the week.

While, not voiding the command in Exodus 20:8-11  

to take a day of rest unto the Lord;

' Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 

Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; 

but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord God;

in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, 

your manservant, or your maidservant, or your cattle,

 or the sojourner who is within your gates;

 for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth,

 the sea, and all that is in them, 

and rested the seventh day; 

therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it.'

In Luke 6 He went on to remind them/us 

of the faithfulness of God to sacrificial and suffering believers.

He encourages believers/followers to

 'leap for joy, for great is the reward in Heaven'.

Luke 6:23

So let's all be athletes and 'leap for joy'!!

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee- Carrie Underwood

Oh, leap for joy

The baby boy

In Bethlehem became

Redemption’s Lamb

God’s gift to man;

Salvation through His name

Trust in the One

Who gave His Son

The war o’er death to win

Faithful and just

He forgives us

As we confess our sin

Rejoice in He

Who sets us free

From dread of death and hell

The wonders of

Redeeming love

Is more than tongue can tell

Then join the song

The angel throng

Began so long ago

Peace and goodwill

To sweetly fill

Hearts dark with Eden's woe

And let life be

A melody

Of love’s lovely increase

As we applaud

The gift of God

Of righteousness and peace

Joy to the world

Mercy unfurled

Hope’s banner, blood red, oh

Yet by God’s grace

Sin is erased

And washed as white as snow

The doleful knell

Of would-be hell

Is quelled; let love applaud

And leap for joy

That baby Boy

Restored man’s way to God

Then let each heart

Become the part

That cradles Heaven’s boy

As we revere

God’s gift so dear

And sing with endless joy

© Janet Martin

Pre-Winter Wind-Storm

 While we put on the tea kettle...

The wind gnaws at window sashes

Growls like a dog with a bone

Hurls and swirls russet leaf-ashes

Plastering autumn’s gravestone

Bidding stragglers to take cover

Underneath awnings that drip

With tears of a jilted lover

Burned by tamed flames of friendship

Turning ruddy, countenances

Sallow, for lack of sun’s kiss

Jeering like a rogue that dances

As if nothing was amiss

Raking treetop’s naked tresses

Shaking hatches battened down

Hoisting the hemlines of dresses

Making modest matrons frown

Where the heart like a wild stallion

Pounds like hoofs on rib-caged turf

Conscious of wraithlike rebellion’s

Rising, rolling, roaring surf

Boisterous, good-for-nothing rebel

Rattles doors with cold, hard fact

While we put on the tea kettle

And pray the roof stays intact

© Janet Martin

Jim just called to make sure I've 'battened down the hatches'!!

the ominous moan of this morning is turning into 

growling gusto...

Universal Invitation to Peace

Inspired in part by Luke 4&5

as well as week two of advent and the theme of Peace

Matt.5:9

Blessed are the peacemakers, 

For they shall be called sons of God.

I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day-Johnny Cash

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

2 Cor.9:15

Healer- Casting Crowns

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, 

and I will give you rest.

Matt. 11:28

Come with gladness and receive Him

Come with faith and be made whole

Lest by rejection we grieve Him

Healer of body and soul

Come, ye weary worn, care-laden

Come elder and children all

Come, young fellow and fair maiden

Heed The Great Physician’s call

Lest sin remains unforgiven

(Deathly debt none can defend)

Lest we, worldly-wisdom driven

Forfeit Heaven in the end

Lest hell’s hopeless haunting breaks us

As we wander to and fro

Lest the tempter’s taunting takes us

Where no thought or feet should go

Come, lest Lofty Dream deceives us

Come, though scorning skeptics laugh

Follow He who never leaves us

But pleads on the Soul’s behalf

We are crippled, blind and broken

Without God’s peace to console

Until we hear these words spoken

Friend, your faith has made you whole

Let the Prince of Peace deliver

Hearts, bitter and cynical

Like an arrow in His quiver

Let love work faith’s miracle

Forsake debate and believe Him

Lest doubt’s dark demons increase

Trust His promise and receive Him

Author of hope, joy and peace

© Janet Martin

When Jesus saw their faith, he said,

 “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

Luke 5:20

Where Still The Call To All Remains...

 Inspired in part by Luke 3

Unto Us-Living Stones Quartet

Hark, The Herald Angels Sing- Phil Wickham

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea

2and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Matt.3:1

And all people will see God’s salvation.

Luke 3:6

Truth’s Voice cries in the wilderness ‘prepare’ for He who will return

The advent of His holiness trembles in hearts that wait and yearn

Where still the call to all remains, ‘repent, ‘be baptized’, ‘come, adore’

Before the Lord winnows the grains from chaff on Judgment’s threshing floor

Faith bows before Him in reply, whose feet we are not fit to kiss

Whose appearing will fill the sky; no foretold oracle amiss

Whose example still fills the Word, whose Truth will never shift or sway

Whose Spirit abides, undeterred to all who trust Him and obey

The advent of the Lord’s return burns in hearts fixed beyond time’s strife

While Mercy pleads where unfaith spurns the Only Way, the Truth, The Life

As believers become the voice that cries in holy urgency

Because belief becomes the choice that becomes soul’s eternity

Hark! Where the angels praised his birth, they will fill up the sky again

As the Lord of Heaven and earth returns forevermore to reign

Where the God of Deliverance tarries because so many doubt

And do not grasp the recompense of what God's gift is all about

Truth’s Voice cries in the wilderness ‘prepare’ for He who will return

The advent of His holiness trembles in hearts that wait and yearn

Where still the call to all remains, ‘repent, ‘be baptized’, ‘come, adore’

Before the Lord winnows the grains from chaff on Judgment’s threshing floor

© Janet Martin

He Shall Reign Forevermore

Someone posted the suggestion on Facebook to read a chapter of Luke every day till Christmas Eve to read the whole book of Luke and his account of the whole life of Jesus!

So, before I go to bed I will try to read a chapter of Luke until Christmas.

I might not have a poem for every chapter but wow!

so much wonder in the Word to kindle inspiration, rejoicing and Hope!