Winepress of the Soul

What a week of wonderful weather!!

We are enjoying summer-like temperatures for another two days before they plummet!

I am so thankful God's goodness does not shift like shadows (or weather!)

With love comes a weight of care, doesn't it?!

Wherever, in this care-bearing we are,

What comfort to know we are called to cast our care on Him!

...casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

 1 Pet. 5:7

Beneath the burdens that we bear,

Beneath love’s constant cross of care

There is comfort beyond compare

In God’s mercy renewed

When we are weak then we are strong

Through He whose will is never wrong

Whose grace ignites in us a song

Of humble gratitude

The love that bore redemption’s wail

As triumph tore the temple’s veil

Is faultless and will never fail

Where all in this world will

Then, though want oft misunderstands

The cost obedience demands

As we ponder Christ’s nail-scarred hands

Storms of rebellion still

As we cast our cares on He

Who kindly cares for you and me

He helps us through the parts we see

Of toil and trouble’s toll

Love’s cross is never borne in vain

Though oft we stagger ‘neath its grain/pain

His grace and goodness will sustain

The winepress of the Soul

Where pride primps reason's cunning tricks 

Where failure and folly afflicts 

The righteousness of God convicts

And leads us on and up

Where beneath the burdens we bear

That pave life's/faith's path with prayer on prayer

His promises, beyond compare

Fill hope's uplifted cup

  

© Janet Martin

James 1:12-18

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because

 having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life 

that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” 

For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 

14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away 

by their own evil desire and enticed.

 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;

 and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 

17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, 

who does not change like shifting shadows. 

18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth,

 that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Like Spring Chamber Music With A Twist

PAD Challenge day 14: 

For today's prompt, we're going to try something a little different

 in that I want you to write an "And Now for Something Completely Different" poem. 

This prompt is inspired by the Monty Python skits that would suddenly shift gears, 

but your poem doesn't have to be humorous. 

It should aspire to be somehow different than what you've written so far this month.

We laugh at robin antics...

Like an invitation to spring’s festival, the sun

Unfolds the earth at daybreak, beckoning to everyone...

Like an invitation to spring’s festival, the sun

Unfolds the earth at daybreak, beckoning to everyone

To rise and shine like little lights of love into a world

To slow swift pace and pause where nature’s vendors are unfurled

Like gentle chamber music, and admission is free

A festival of bars and phrases primed for poetry

Where no one is elbowing neighbors for a better view

(Although we wouldn’t mind, on this fine day, a nudge or two)

Because we are honored to be part of this happiness

While wandering through April’s festival of friendliness

We laugh at robin antics as they sing, a merry troop

And praise this perfect…what the heck?!!!

Aw! I just stepped in dog poop!!!

© Janet Martin

April Quadrille

 PAD Challenge-day 13-For today's prompt, write a forgive poem. 

Green murmur on the meadow...

First timid tufts of flora...

Green murmur on the meadow

 New nest tucked in the brush

And on the verge of birth, a surge

Of calm before the rush

A bud pulsing with promise

A garden, primed with dreams

A zephyr. soft, blue sky aloft

Earth, bursting at its seams

Marmalade-misted morning

Sweet, sun-kissed afternoon

Silhouette-show of dusk’s tableau

‘neath tusk of opaque moon

First timid tufts of flora

Nature’s most modest plumes

Presents its charms to open arms

And eyes, thirsty for blooms

The ground, like Berber carpet

Where tender bare feet dance

Earth’s spartan sweep cannot long keep

Its pristine countenance

April arouses laughter

Wakes joy akin to Heav’n

A robin’s trill, a daffodil

And winter is forgiv’n

© Janet Martin

The Holy Whole (of Soul's eternity)

Gorgeous sunny, spring daybreak!

I'm sure everyone in our neck of the woods wants to make the most 

of FINALLY, a fabulous stretch of sunshine warming winter-weary bones! 

Lawn-raking never felt so fine, like spring-cleaning the outdoors!

The wise in this world endeavor to make the most 

of every day, no matter the weather! 

Because, no matter who or where we are, death is life's gravest matter 

and none of us knows how near its Door draws with each breath we take...

***

We live but once; the wise weigh well the measure of its lease

For there are none who can foretell how soon a life will cease

But only God, who grants each breath beholds the holy Whole

Of numbered days before the death that bares the deathless soul

Not one of us can know who next will hear His summons fall

To draw us from time’s brief context to meet the Lord of all

Death is life’s gravest matter borne on seasons as they roll

Its dust and ash we scatter, the torn garment of the soul

The holy Whole of moment-sums slip subtly, yet rife

Through the undoing that becomes the measure of a life

The wise, aware of today’s momentous fragility

Weigh well the flickering blaze of accountability

Oho, how soon the afternoon dons twilight's dusky hues  

How swift life's gleaming gift spawns the shadow of deathly dues

How surely no one knows That Rending Toll's proximity 

That will  unveil The Holy Whole of Soul's eternity 

© Janet Martin

Luke 12:35-40

Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 

36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, 

so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.

 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. 

Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, 

will have them recline at the table 

and will come and wait on them. 

38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready,

 even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.

 39 But understand this:

 If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming,

 he would not have let his house be broken into. 

40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come 

at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Oho, how soon the afternoon dons twilight's dusky hues...  

Happily Ever After

PAD Challenge day 11-

Write a form poem, and/or...

Write an anti-form poem.

Anyone who knows me well knows I love

the traditional style of form.

However, I do admire those who serve anti-form well!

Sometimes I am so happy

And sometimes oh, so sad

For all the fulfilled wishes

That I never had

Sometimes when I am waiting

For Wish, not granted yet

I retrace Intervention 

 That spared me from regret

Then, when my school of wishes

Swims past my dangling hook

Like sassy, flashy fishes,

I pretend not to look

Happily ever after

I've learned, I'm learning how to prize

The wealth in lilts of laughter

The stars in loved one's eyes

 

Janet Martin

A Hope-Hug

Heb.11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God,

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Earlier this week a commentator for The Masters remarked how

there are far more games being played than the one we see on the greens;

the games of the mind!

We can all relate to that comment, can't we?!

But above all that fuels the duels of the mind

there is faith, hope and love. (1 Cor.13:13)

These are no game!

These equip us for what waits after life's/faith's grueling duels are done!

Images like the ones below can't help but rouse a sort of reflection

and stir a sacred anticipation for That Day

when by the grace of God for His eternal glory, believers, faithful and true

 celebrate the Victory of all Victories!

When it will be our arms lifted in unceasing praise to the One who made triumph possible!

Dear Christian, are you discouraged, weary beyond words, with love's cares and prayers?

Press on. A Heavenly hug awaits!

Hope heals many a hurt

Hope drives us from despair

Hope endorses the holy work

Of meek and patient prayer

And does not make ashamed

All who through faith, trust Him

Who once upon a cross proclaimed

Hope that no woe/foe can dim

Though oft we groan with grief

Where hell’s painted façade

Promotes the plague of unbelief

And fearlessness of God

Still, mercy is renewed

Each morn, His truth remains

Where faith keeps hopelessness subdued

Through grace His love sustains

Whoever will may come

Trust in God and repent

Before the certain, sacred sum

Of numbered days is spent

Before it is too late

To prepare to meet God

Because Last Breath has sealed the gate

With judgment’s solemn rod

Without His gift of grace

Without redemption’s stream

How can we bear to think to face

He who died to redeem

And break the curse of sin

To save the deathless soul

To anchor hope beneath the skin

Of faith that makes us whole

© Janet Martin

 In Need 

Guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 25:5

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! 

In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope

 through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

1 Peter 1:3

May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,

even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 33:22

But if we choose to reject and disregard Him,

what then?!!

If we choose through unrepentance, God's wrath?!!

A somber reflection from a devotion by Charles Spurgeon 

A Hallelujah Poem

I couldn't quite collect my thoughts this morning to complete this post

but celebrating a risen Redeemer is right on time any time of day or night

Hallelujah!

Today, Easter, is a day of great joy for those of the household of faith

yet, also a day of great sorrow as we mourn for those who reject Him...

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, 

the evidence of things not seen.

Heb.11:1

Because He Lives

Christ Arose

 

Have you ever tried to visualize that morning long ago?

The women first, then the disciples, coming to Jesus' tomb while it was still dark!!

to find the stone rolled away!!

 and their Beloved Teacher/Friend/Lord gone!

John 20:1-10

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark,

 Mary Magdalene went to the tomb 

and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 

2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple,

 the one Jesus loved, and said,

 “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, 

and we don’t know where they have put him!”

3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 

4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.

 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. 

He saw the strips of linen lying there,

 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. 

The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.

 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first,

 also went inside. He saw and believed. 

9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 

10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.

Luke 24:1-8

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning,

 the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 

2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,

 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes 

that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.

 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, 

but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?

 6 He is not here; he has risen! 

Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 

7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, 

be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 

8 Then they remembered his words.

While some still doubt, some still believe

(Some scorn what some revere)

But someday every eye will see

The One that faith holds dear

No trumpet blast that morn to wake

The world to death’s defeat

But in the hush before daybreak

Faith beheld and believed

Where death and hell were overthrown

Where love and life prevailed

Where angels rolled away the stone

And schemes of darkness failed

Where Jesus’ body had been laid

Where guards stood watch in vain

Where Mary looked and wept, dismayed

At what was not yet plain

…. There, sorrow’s sobs turned into joy

Jesus, mighty to save

(The One that death could not destroy)

Had risen from the grave

The power and the glory of

Mankind’s Saviour and Friend

Covered sin's hopeless debt with love

(Conquered hate's vilest deed with love)

No thought can comprehend

Once and for all our sins He bore

Pray what more do we need

Than to praise Him forevermore

For He is Lord indeed

© Janet Martin

What The World Knows Nothing Of...

Sometimes the sorrow for those who do not believe, love and obey God

is almost more than I can bear,

and lest misunderstood, I come across as having all the answers

and everything 'right', far from it!!

but the one/only answer I have right, is by the grace of God 

through the cross of Jesus Christ;

Gal.6:14

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,

through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Living Hope 

Golgotha

Fear, in this fallen world seeks to usurp faith, hope and trust

Without God’s Word to undergird, to guide, rebuke and cheer

How could we bear love’s cross of care or suffer what we must

But for the glory waiting in the Aftermath of here

Where the foothills of Heaven groan with sin, sorrow and strife

Where we, but brief sojourners because earth is but a vale

Need He who rolled away the stone from a tomb filled with Life

The life that will abide; even in death it will not fail

Ah, raise thy gaze above the worldly ways of wanton will

Cling to the sickle of God’s Word to keep thy conscience pure

And drink from the wellspring where Living Waters spill and spill

To sustain and refresh the soul committed to endure

…and tremble at His Word; pray for a spirit, poor, contrite

So, God will look on us and fill us with riches untold;

Green pastures and still waters to restore the soul’s delight

His perfect peace, his joy to be our strength, worth more than gold

Pray for this fallen world, mired in cesspools of despair

Ah pray for those who do not know the goodness of God’s love

That they may come to know He who laid mercy’s coffers bare

Upon the cross to offer what the world knows nothing of

By God's grace alone we are saved; a gift so none can boast

Shall we then continue in sin so His grace may abound

Shall we mock, as it were the One who gave His Uttermost

Oh, may it never be, when once lost, we are found

Surely, goodness and mercy will follow us all our days

Until we dwell with Him by whose resurrection, we live

Where we will never weary of perfecting worship's praise

As we look on Him whom we pierced, and He replied 'forgive'

© Janet Martin

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. 

Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. 

26And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.

 Do you believe this?”

Isa.66:2

Has not my hand made all these things, 

and so they came into being?” declares the LORD.

 “These are the ones I look on with favor:

 those who are humble and contrite in spirit, 

and who tremble at my word.

At The Cross