Beautiful Pause...

Mystery guest (ID help welcome!)

A bird expert has suggested that it looks like 

a female Brown-headed Cowbird!

Thank-you!

Mourning Dove

Downy Woodpecker

Juncos 

Goldfinch and chickadee

The nuthatch wouldn't sit still long enough

for me to get a clear shot...

...and the cardinal got away before I could get a photo!

A feathered flurry of delight

Brings laughter to an afternoon

Soft-pillowed in billows of white

As music notes in nature’s tune

Are muffled by the gale that sweeps

Across the countryside and lane

Where summer songs wait, sound asleep

Beneath a snowflake counterpane

…and it is beautiful to pause

To ‘look at the birds of the air’

And feel a bit better because

Of Who bestows to them, kind care

And to remember what He said,

'Are you not of more worth than they?'

And trust Him for our daily bread

And every other come-what-may

© Janet Martin

Matt.10:31

Do not fear therefore; 

you are of more value than many sparrows.

...then, just as I finished posting I looked up

and lo and behold, I espied a flash of red!

Mr. Cardinal was back

(a bit of a rarity at our feeders)

 but all I could capture

 was the top of his head and few tail-feathers😅

oh, and the nuthatch seems more relaxed this morning too😊

One of the first country songs I recall from my early teen years!

There's a Bluebird on my Windowsill Wilf Carter

 

God Sees The Little Sparrow Fall

(one of the first songs I learned as a child)

His Eye Is on the Sparrow

Worthy of Worship

Still, new each morning, mercy pours

until its seas immerse Infinity...

(different days, different colours,

Same Giver, same mercies)

For as the heavens are high above the earth,

So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

12 As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father pities his children,

So the Lord pities those who fear Him.

Ps.103: 11-13

The above scripture is part of today's Daily Bread Devotion

The song below helps me to start the day off on the right note...

(the scripture and this song helped inspire today's poem)

We are so broken, our best so flawed, but we serve a great God..

compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.

Psalm 103: 8

He is worthy of all our praise!

Is He Worthy?

He does not hold a grudge or keep account of sins confessed

He is a righteous judge; all who fear Him are richly blessed

He knows that we are dust and with a father’s pity, cares

About the stutters we entrust to Him in wordless prayers

He, the good Shepherd; He the want of His flock satisfies

His rod and staff thwart prideful taunts of wolves in sheep’s disguise

He keeps His promises no matter what appears to be

Though some may dare to jest and mock Mercy’s authority

Still, new each morning, mercy pours until its seas immerse

Infinity, and sweep hope’s shores groaning with Eden’s curse

Where, by the sweat of our brow, we work our bread to win

But by the blood of Christ He broke the damning curse of sin

He, bruised for our transgression, crushed for our iniquities

Bore for our redemption, the punishment that brought us peace

He forgives our debts as we forgive our debtors, then

Pray we forgive and forget in the name of Him, amen

He, the same yesterday, today, forever; love’s embrace

Is patient with the way we are; sinners needing His grace

His goodness does not falter, His truth does not shift or sway

Then praise Him from the altar of the gift we call Today

He, who is faithful, just and holy, comforting and kind

His hope, an anchor for the soul, He breaks the chains that bind

He sets us free, if we believe, from death and hell unfurled

The inheritance we receive by faith transcends this world

Where we will see Him face to face, moved by love’s scars engraved

To fill eternity with praise; by His grace we were saved

© Janet Martin

Look at the birds of the air; 

they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,

 and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 

Are you not much more valuable than they?

Matt.6:26

Hope; Worth the Wait

Romans 8:20-21

For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will,

but because of the One who subjected it, in hope

that h the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay 

and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

Rom.8:24-25

For in this hope we were saved.

But hope that is seen is no hope at all.

Who hopes for what they already have?

25But if we hope for what we do not yet have,

we wait for it patiently.

I just had a text from someone saying they are looking forward to dinner

and I said I hope its worth the wait.😅

Hope, living hope, is worth the wait for its reward!

Hallelujah!

Oh, how wearying and discouraging life's cares would be

without hope for what is as yet, unseen!

Hope delights love’s wearied caring

Hope excites us with God’s Word

Hope ignites within our bearing

The light of faith undeterred

Hope replenishes pure purpose

Fixes our eyes on He

Who suffered hope's gruesome purchase-

Price He paid at Calvary

Hope defeats dread’s unseen vial

Hope repeats God’s promises

Hope sweetens the bitter trial

Hope beats odds of 'lucky guess'

Hope is patient in the waiting

Of a prize death will fulfill

Above doubt’s noisy debating

Hope abides, peaceful and still

Hope consoles despair with courage

Lifts our why-bent sighs to He

Who crowns faith’s cross with advantage

Of the grave’s sure victory

Hope is worth time's troubled tolling 

Hope is worth its priceless weight/wait

Hope is but faith's prayer-tide rolling

Like an ocean through death's gate  

© Janet Martin

Titus 3:7

so that, having been justified by His grace, 

we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life.

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for 

and the certainty of what we do not see.

If All We Had Was What We See....

Lots to tickle visual taste-buds this morning!

Thank-you God, for earth's beauty buffet

to tickle with delight the likes of us,

who far too often forget to thank You!

Great are the works of the LORD; 

they are pondered by all who delight in them.

Psalm 111:2

How hard and hurt-full life would be

If all we had was what we see

If hope could not transcend time’s toll

If the grave was its cheerless goal

If love was something we could buy

And stuff enough to satisfy

If this old crate of skin and bone

Full of debate and grin and groan

Was the pinnacle of a man

And height of mercy’s master plan

And all we had was what we see

How very futile life would be

© Janet Martin

The Key to Finding Happiness

“It is not how much we have,

but how much we enjoy,

that makes happiness.”

— Charles Spurgeon

This little gal finds happiness

in mixing and stirring

(oh, if only you could hear the pleasant chatter!)

I enjoy small blips of quietness and tidiness

amidst the mess and mayhem of memories😊💗

(Some people spring and fall clean.

I tend to winter-clean and reorganize 

because outdoor work is on pause!)

Rolling-pin-collection dusting is complete...

Why a rolling pin collection?!!

I have no idea other than once I started, I was amazed at

how many colours, shapes and sizes they come in...a bit like people😅

 

This life runs rife with choice and chance

That makes us pray or fuss/cuss

How we reply to circumstance

Is always up to us

This life runs rife with want and need

Awaiting our reply

Where common font of word and deed

Is up to you and I

This life runs rife with ups and downs

Beyond our control

A smorgasbord of smiles and frowns

To rankle and console

This life runs rife with so much care

Where all we have is lent

A feast to favor faith’s welfare

Is always God’s intent

This life runs rife with more or less

Of yes and no combined

The precious key to happiness

Is up to us to find

© Janet Martin

I am also enjoying some

Spurgeon , thanks to Christmas gifts!

Prov.3:13-18 KJV

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, 

and the man that getteth understanding.

14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, 

and the gain thereof than fine gold

15 She is more precious than rubies: 

and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her

16 Length of days is in her right hand;

 and in her left hand riches and honour.

17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, 

and all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: 

and happy is every one that retaineth her.

Ah, Winter's Day...

Winter day played a

 muted melody of perfection on yonder hills today...

Ah, winter day,

thy artist’s tray

Though sparser than in mid-July

Still steals our gaze

with nature’s way

while heaven plays earth’s lullaby

with stars that waft

silver and soft

to settle on the slum’bring sills

of barren trees

and memories

of lusher leas and greener hills

until the dark

snuffs daylight’s spark

and drapes a velvet navy spread

across the world

with stars unfurled

beneath our feet and overhead

© Janet Martin 

Lord, It's Hard To Be Humble

 

Sunday morning's message

(Click on Jan.2 message)

esp. the part between 45-50+ minutes in,

really sparked a mental contemplation/conviction 

on my attitude; pride/humility/obedience/rebellion and

on how easily I want to become wise in my own eyes...

How brave am I?

How humble am I?

How true am I really?

Can I sing this song honestly without reserve?!!

Have Thine Own Way, Lord-Jim Reeves

The lack of true humility breeds wicked arrogance

It fuels fatal vanity and rebel’s recompense

It does not bend the knee or bow the head, strong in the Lord

But relies on logic instead of feeding on God’s Word

The fruit of true humility is generous and sweet

It watches for the enemy that preys on its defeat

Pride is a sly pretender full of destruction's death-sway

It resists full surrender to the Potter of the clay

The want of true humility, love’s bravest sacrifice

Grants no exceptions of me-me to reconcile its price

But obeys the greatest command; God first, then fellowman

It prays, not with phrase well in hand, but like the publican

The proof of true humility does not confuse or shout

Obedient sincerity leaves little room for doubt

Oh God, how often easily my best intentions slip

God, hone honest humility with honest fellowship

The feat of true humility is a long enterprise

How ever on guard I/we should be to root out all disguise

Because my/our very heart of hearts the God of gods can see

And only true love for Him imparts true humility

© Janet Martin

Rom.3:23

...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Prov.6:16-19

These six things the Lord hates,

Yes, seven are an abomination to [a]Him:

 A[b] proud look,

A lying tongue,

Hands that shed innocent blood,

 A heart that devises wicked plans,

Feet that are swift in running to evil,

 A false witness who speaks lies,

And one who sows discord among brethren.

The Lily-Garb of Innocence...

Last night we celebrated Grand-sonny's 5th birthday!

We have been blessed with five swift years of cute,

curly-headed curiosity and sweetness,

and once again as I marvel at the way

moments meld into years before we know it,

it sure makes me want to make the most of here and now!

Eager little sister, watching on the sidelines, suddenly leaned in with a hefty 

(greatly unappreciated) huff to snuff the final stubborn candles

 (you can imagine the response from Big Brother)

while we adults heartily assured him that his huff got there before hers. 😅

Checking out the next Lego project

(the ice-cream truck)

 Reminiscent of sweet summer days

Childhood’s pure garb of precious, carefree innocence is brief

Soon human nature starts to test sweet darlings with its grief

As moments mete the tide that ebbs and flows, composing Time

Across four-season shorelines rolls the rhythm of its rhyme

Ahoy, the joy of boyhood bliss must soon become a man

We who shower their cheeks with kisses should do all we can

To train and equip hearts and hands for childhood’s aftermath

As morn imparts momentous sands pouring to life’s footpath

To make the most of here and now is all that we can do

To waken senses to the ‘wow’ of Today, always new

To take our thankful place in the embrace of common task

And trust God for the grace that He will give us if we ask

The lily garb of innocence we all wore in our youth

Is handed down to those who trust us to teach them the truth

Then pray we look to He who is the Way, the Truth and Life

Before the Child must leave sweet play to face time’s tides of strife

© Janet Martin

Deut.11:18-20

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; 

tie them as reminders on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

 19Teach them to your children, speaking about them 

when you sit at home 

and when you walk along the road,

 when you lie down and when you get up. 

20Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates,…

Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, 

bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 4:9
Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, 

so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen,

 and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live.

 Teach them to your children and grandchildren.

Deuteronomy 6:7
And you shall teach them diligently to your children

and speak of them when you sit at home 

and when you walk along the road, 

when you lie down and when you get up.

Psalm 78:4
We will not hide them from their children, 

but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD 

and His might, and the wonders He has performed.

Psalm 78:6
that the coming generation would know them--

even children yet to be born--

to arise and tell their own children

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go, 

and when he is old he will not depart from it