Should I, Because of Stubborn Pride (protect a favoured sin)

 Here's My Heart, Lord

Should I, because of stubborn pride, protect a favoured sin,

Unwilling to admit Idolatry. Oh God, I pray

That You would rend rebellion’s veil in this temple of skin

As repentance rouses renewed devotion to obey

Oh Lord, Enlighten the eyes of my heart, transfixed by these;

The knowledge of hope’s calling and the glory of your grace

Protect me from the tempter that taunts me to ‘take mine ease’

Trading redemption’s riches for the enemy’s embrace

Smite me with grief if I defy your goodness with my greed

If I should set a stumbling block before my fellowman

Remind me of Your lifeblood poured out to supply Soul's need 

And open the eyes of my heart to Your wonder again

Oh, do not let me covet what can never satisfy

Do not let me mouth half-confession’s vain and pious prayer

Lord, let the truth of you undo the lacquer of the lie

That glosses over pitfalls that are waiting to ensnare

Should I, because of stubborn pride, protect a favoured sin,

Lord, open up my eyes to weigh sin’s wages with Your gift

Then would You rend rebellion’s veil in this temple of skin

And help me give more earnest heed to Your Word, lest I drift…

© Janet Martin

Inspired in part by Eph.1 NKJV

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Redemption in Christ

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He [a]made us accepted in the Beloved.

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and [b]prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, [c]both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who[d] is the [e]guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom

15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your [f]understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality[g] and [h]power and [i]might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Of Life's Sacred and Surreal

today's post,  a first...

 ...sharing, with special permission from my youngest daughter,

an excerpt from her very precious Christmas gift to me last year,

a collection of her poetry and journal snippets,

 glimpses of heart-pieces like only ink allows...

It's been a little while since we were both in our respective corners of the morning

but today is a perfect reflection of this...

Wow! yup...poetry plunked, plucked, pried and prayed from the schmozzle of living...

often with reminders, no matter what season we are in...to Cherish!

because seasons are so brief, each with a beauty of their own!

Whatever season we are in no matter when or where

Time seems to slip through our skin in whispers thin as air

And suddenly we turn to see what once seemed long and slow

Now, pictures in a gallery where echoes ebb and flow

Nobody, no matter how strong can keep the tide at bay

That runs through us like sea-song as it washes years away

As generations roll like soul-filled waves that rise and fall

Prey to the subtle season toll that no shoreline can stall

…reminding us that no matter what season we are in

Time's echo-chimes soon scatter like thistle seeds on the wind

While we learn to savour the full flavour of moment crumbs

Before they slip forever to what each season becomes

...before the Giver of each life retrieves what seasons lease

As a momentous Shuttle weaves the ilk of Time's increase

Still slipping through our fingers soft as silk yet hard a steel 

Leaving a sense that lingers, of life's sacred and surreal

© Janet Martin

The same feeling that inspires many a poem and song

like this one...

Slipping through my Fingers 

By humility and the fear of the Lord

are riches and honour and life

Prov.22:4

There Will Be Poetry

 As long as earth unchains a thoroughfare of blossom-laud...

As long as the heavens declare the majesty of God...

(this sunset is from May 2022)

 

...because this year the sunrises and sunsets are obliterated 

by a smoky haze due to the wildfires out west!

The best the skies can muster is a rosy orb...

As long as work can wait because a child has come to play

Before they dash through that old gate that draws the child away...

As long as earth unchains a thoroughfare of blossom-laud

As long as the heavens declare the majesty of God

As long as bowers burst with leaf and flower filigree

After winter’s welcome retreat, there will be poetry

As long as zephyrs pirouette and oceans roll to shore

And dusk authors a silhouette-and-shadow-repertoire

And morning metes mercy renewed and sets a new day free

To stir the heart with gratitude, there will be poetry

As long as work can wait because a child has come to play

Before they dash through that old gate that draws the child away

As long as May rolls over bars as green as green can be

And lilacs burst with perfumed stars there will be poetry

As long as baby birds peep-peep from nests tucked into trees

And seasons sweep from east to west tuning fond memories

As long as joy surprises us with its simplicity

Keeping the child alive in us, there will be poetry

As long as there are gardens to grow happiness and plants 

As long as nature's arboretums burst with radiance 

Overflowing bud-chalices with petal-luxury

That crowns plain dirt with palaces, there will be poetry 

 

As long as dawn is gentle, always new and fresh from God

As long as hearts are humble and kind and constantly awed

By so much to be glad about, as long as we can see

Beyond the brunt of fear and doubt, there will be poetry

As long as thoughts are soft, not hard and embittered by spite

As long as cloud-ships sail aloft and stars dazzle the night

And the music of moments orchestrates a symphony

Of wonder and contentment oh, there will be poetry

As long as there is always something new, like a sunrise

…and, (though not all dreams may come true some do to our surprise)

And, as long as Today runs rife with opportunity

To make the most of love and life, there will be poetry

© Janet Martin

As long as baby birds peep-peep from nests tucked into trees...

(not quite peeping yet!! just freshly hatched!)

Psalm 66:1

Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth!

As long as joy surprises us with its simplicity

Keeping the child alive in us, there will be poetry...

A Wake Up Call

'these days I feel like I live in a state of perpetual crying to God'

I said to my sister in a conversation last night. 

This morning the first verse in my devotion was 

Eph.5:14

Therefore He says:

“Awake, you who sleep,

Arise from the dead,

And Christ will give you light.”

It seemed to pour into my heart's cry from the night before

inspiring today's poem...

Sometimes we use the phrase 'wake up call'

when we refer to something that jolts us to Reality!

or a caffeine jolt...😅💓

Oh, pray that none of us are spared whatever wake up call

it takes to draw us first to repentance and 

then to re-awareness/reawakening if we begin to slip or slumber!

Wake up, all who yet sleep

Rise from death’s dormant pose

Where every breath is like a leap

Toward life’s curtain close

Wake up, for none can see

How near or far the place

That turns Time to eternity

And ends the day of grace

Wake up, do not delay

Hell’s night none can afford

Wake up, while it is still Today

And bow before the Lord

To call upon His name

To repent and believe

And weep with wonder as you claim

The gift faith will receive

Wake up, while Mercy’s Gate

With each breath swings ajar

Wake up before it is too late

To escape Judgement’s Bar

Wake up! Shake of the ruse

Of religious façade

Examine every bold excuse

Defying/denying Holy God

Wake up. Fear Him and keep

His laws with reverence

Oh pray, wake up, all who still sleep

In disobedience

Wake up; for God so loves

And cares for you and I 

He overflows Truth's treasure troves

With salvation's reply 

Wake up; do not reject

The Light no night can dim

Wake up and ask God to direct

Each footstep back Him

© Janet Martin

Last night my physical feet ached with weariness

due to many outdoor steps taken as we worked in God's Great outdoors! 

Sometimes our spiritual body aches with weariness too, doesn't it?

As we walk second miles, as we pray and cry

 to God for a reawakening to the Sacredness of the

gift of life, its brevity before eternity!

This broken world is not out of the Healer's reach!

But oh, how often we turn away!

Psalm 1

Blessed is the one

who does not walk in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take

or sit in the company of mockers,

2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,

and who meditates on his law day and night.

3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither—

whatever they do prospers.

4 Not so the wicked!

They are like chaff

that the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

If I Should Turn From Thee

1 Tim.4:1 NLT

Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly

 that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith;

 they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.

John 6:60;66-69

Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said,

“This is a [a]hard saying; who can understand it?”...

...From that time many of His disciples went [d]back

 and walked with Him no more. 

67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, 

“Do you also want to go away?”

68 But Simon Peter answered Him,

 “Lord, to whom shall we go?

 You have the words of eternal life.

 69 Also we have come to believe and know 

that You are the [e]Christ, the Son of the living God.”

How often it hurts pastors, teachers and parents

as wise and true counsel is ignored, scorned 

and heedlessly turned away from!

How much more, our Heavenly Father!!

May we echo the words of Peter if we are tempted

to put our trust in what we see rather than what/Who we know!

 “Lord, to whom shall we go?

Where Could I Go But to the Lord

To Whom Lord, shall I go

If I should turn from Thee

Whose spirit and life can bestow

The truth that sets me free

Whose blood but Thine atones

From age to age to age

Whose ear but Thine attends the groans

That wrack this mortal cage

In who else can I trust

Without fear or dismay

Whose Word transcends time’s dust-to-dust

And cheers me day by day

Whose purpose will prevail

To crush the enemy

Whose love and justice will not fail

Throughout eternity

Whose law is love but Thine

Who whispers peace to me

Who else laid down his life for mine

With such humility

What can this world afford

But pleasures vain and fleet

What compares to Thy joy, my Lord

Abiding and complete

Then, should I turn from Thee

Lord, where else can I find

A sweeter, surer sympathy

Compassionate and kind

…to heal my broken heart

Whose assurance can ward

Defense against deception’s dart

Without Thy armour, Lord

Who can quench Want’s wild thirst

Or offer Living Bread

Who can save us from this world, cursed

With ignorance and dread

If I should turn from Thee

What can I hope to find

To satisfy the longing plea

Of heart and soul and mind

If I should turn from Thee

Lord, to whom shall I go

To entrust all eternity

Pray, I may never know

© Janet Martin

Coming Soon-Jesus! 

Give Me Jesus

I Love The Lovely Month of May

This poem niggled just as I was ready to leave 

yesterday afternoon to help my parents with some gardening

 so I quickly scribbled the gist of it in my 'draft-book' 

and didn't get a chance to return to it until this morning 

but Beauty Duty called before I could finish it, 

so it kept evolving and expanding throughout the day...

My apologies for the length but there's SO much in May to love!!!

I love the mist of orchards kissed and crowned with blossom-vim...

Or wading knee deep through a sweep of dandelion-gold...

Or reveling in the unraveling of budded limb

Like pausing to watch gauzy green-leaf parasols unfold...

I love the mist of orchards kissed and crowned with blossom-vim

Or wading knee deep through a sweep of dandelion-gold

Or reveling in the unraveling of budded limb

Like pausing to watch gauzy green-leaf parasols unfold

I love how expectation for transformation is met

How nature is a pianist no pessimist subdues

The merry breeze plays melodies like a May minuet

I love the lark, and how dawn’s dark the warbler’s lay renews

I love the verve, the crook and curve of brook-song through the dell

The verdant surge as summer’s verge unfurls a grassy sea

The wholesome, holy happiness found in a flower bell

The cooing of the mourning dove, the fuzzy/buzzy bumble bee

The dusty haze as farmers blaze fresh trails of hope and trust

The garden where we breathe a prayer with every seed we sow

The pleasure of a treasure trove buried beneath tilled dust

The earthy joy as we employ the tools of spade and hoe

The sense of youth in spite of truth that uncouth mirrors mime

So much to do rather than rue faced facts; so much to like

The outdoor bench whereon to quench the raging thirst for Time

The waddling duck, the toddler stuck on bigger brother’s bike

I love the awesome promises that replenish the rose

Where despite thoughtless thanklessness God’s kindness intercedes

I love how He pens poetry no mortal can compose

Providence grants Extravagance no ignorance impedes

I love how Now is full of Wow, how sweetly May’s sun shines

How chubby raindrops plop and leave behind a crop of pearls

I love the waltz, foxtrot, and somersaults on laundry-lines

While frisky zephyrs tug brisk Housewife’s skirt with flirty twirls

I love the way dusk lingers on the fringes of so long

Running reluctant fingers over one more May day through

Beckoning us to sit a bit beneath the lowered gong

That tolls away the workaday with bronze, mauve, blush and blue   

I love how earth gives age-old birth to wonder’s infant cries

How May morn brims with worship hymns that last the livelong day

How perfumed plume of lilac bloom scorns atheistic lies

I love the green-gilt lilt that frills the lovely month of May

© Janet Martin

The garden where we breathe a prayer with every seed we sow

The pleasure of a treasure trove buried beneath tilled dust

The earthy joy as we employ the tools of spade and hoe...

(Thanks to the generous farmer next door my garden is planted in

a fresh plot while we give the old plot some refreshment and rest!)

I love the way dusk lingers on the fringes of so long

Running reluctant fingers over one more May day through

Beckoning us to sit a bit beneath the lowered gong

That tolls away the workaday with bronze, mauve, blush and blue...

   

Collections of Today or (of Eternal Unreachable)

Today, the page on which every life-story is written!

A bevy of birds and blooms

cheers this time of year's incessant duty with beauty!!

Unreachable, the poses exhumed from Past’s picture-show

Untouchable, the roses that bloomed a summer ago

Unmovable, unchangeable, scenes of spent seasons splay

In an un-rearrangeable Collection of Today

Yesterday's lifeless embers cannot warm the outstretched hand

An empire of echoes is naught but a shadowland

So then, ere dusk erases what will never more return

Of today’s tender graces and of lessons yet to learn

...of names still warm with faces we can touch and cup and kiss

Before Framed Font/Want replaces Today’s Very Present ‘This’

Still very rife with reason at the mercy of Because

Before the soldered season of Collections of What Was

Let's live as if today was all we have, for so it is

Each hour rolling like a wave tolling Past's Genesis   

Composing the unchangeable, irretrievable play

Of eternal, unreachable Collections of Today

© Janet Martin

1 Tim.4 BSB

Godly Exhortation for Today...

Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith

 to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, 

2influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, 

whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.

3They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods 

that God has created to be received with thanksgiving

 by those who believe and know the truth.

  4For every creation of God is good, 

and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, 

5because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

6By pointing out these things to the brothers, 

you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus,

 nourished by the words of faith 

and sound instruction that you have followed.

7But reject irreverent, silly myths.

 Instead, train yourself for godliness

. 8For physical exercise is of limited value, 

but godliness is valuable in every way, 

holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.

  9This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance.

10To this end we labor and strive,a 

because we have set our hope on the living God, 

who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe. 

11Command and teach these things.

12Let no one despise your youth, 

but set an example for the believers 

in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 

13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, 

to exhortation, and to teaching.

14Do not neglect the gift that is in you,

 which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you 

at the laying on of the hands of the elders. 

15Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, 

so that your progress will be evident to all. 

16Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. 

Persevere in these things, 

for by so doing you will save both yourself 

and those who hear you.

No Matter What Today Will Bring

 

This poem 'pressed' to the forefront this morning instead

of the pursuit of another.

My prayer is that it will cheer and bless,

and help us as we keep our eyes fixed on a prize

that ought to challenge our motives daily!

No one knows what today will bring

but we do know on Whom we can cast all care

And ask Him to be our strength as we cheer each other on...

1 Pet.5:6-7

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,

 that He may exalt you in due time,

 7casting all your care upon Him, 

for He cares for you.

I had fully intended to incorporate these quirky quackers

into today's poem...

I am helping a friend with some gardening this week

and their ducks are an endless source of amusement and delight!

May we all find opportunity to be amazed and awed by

the beauty, diversity and wonders of God's creation!

May we be His hands and feet and pray that 

He helps us hunger and thirst for righteousness

so we may be filled 

And protected from a futile 'chasing of the wind'...

How great our God and King

How wonderful indeed

No matter what today will bring

He will supply our need

Oh, may we not forget

No circumstance can sway

The love and grace that paid the debt

Mortal could never pay

The hope of humankind

Is anchored in the Word

Of He who does not change His mind

His purpose undeterred

He keeps His promises

How wonderful to know

His justice, truth and righteousness

No one can overthrow

Then shout for joy, and sing

God, trustworthy and true

No matter what today will bring

Will care for me and you

© Janet Martin