Blue Lake Happiness

There's nothing like a break from the ordinary to make us glad of it!

Two weeks ago we enjoyed our annual break at a little cottage on a little lake...

Where fish/minnows frolic...

Past Uncle's hook  (into Grandson's net)😅

And no. Uncle did not use 'fishy' as bait 😂

After the shrieks of delight this little

shimmer of a fish incited,

I can't wait till he catches a big one!

and sunbeams dance...

 

and feathered friends drift by...

a lake-lull is such a refreshing way to recharge

and ready me to return with fresh gladness 

to the beck and call of  Always Much To Do

(this week's much-to-do is focused on

prepping for a family-reunion we are hosting on Sunday)

The blue lull of the lake bestows a gentle bliss

As wishful thinking takes a break where nothing seems amiss

While in worlds far away the horn of progress blares

Where warriors of workaday shoulder life’s load of cares

The blue lull of the lake makes broken poets whole

As soothing, wordless lyrics break on shorelines of the soul

Its fluid countenance enchants the creature sigh

Where fish frolic and sunbeams dance and feathered friends drift by

The blue lull of the lake is pleasant company

No fear of making a mistake with blue-lake repartee

Content to smile and nod; no critic to requite

Leaning against the knee of God in undisturbed delight 

The blue lull of the lake awakens purest joys 

Unhindered by the give and take of commerce-driven noise 

Far from the madding press of  hello and so long 

The lull of blue-lake happiness writes worship's purest song 

© Janet Martin

I LOVE noting the shifting hues and textures of the water

reflecting the heavens and the time of day

Pondering the Possible,

Then we could be far more carefree, while we weather what we must...

It is holiday weekend in Ontario...for some...

non-farmers-wedding caterers/florists, gardeners, etc 😅

I'm about to finish some tasks I couldn't complete yesterday...

canning yellow bean salad and zucchini relish

( if you are in the neighborhood and would like either yellow beans or

zucchini, send me a message. they can be yours free for the picking)

What if we would have more gardens where we would linger to pray...

(rather than simply SWEAT and toil?! 

It was a sweltering garden week!!)

What if, in the face of insult we would be patient and kind

Giving grace, rather than revolt, when we are vengeance inclined

What if we would have more gardens where we would linger to pray

Before rushing hard and headlong into a new workaday

What if we would plant more flowers rather than sowing wild oats

Using youth to redeem hours wisely before harvest gloats  

What if we considered lilies and He who weaves their fine cloak

What if we would be more willing to believe the words He spoke?

(Then we could be far more carefree, while we weather what we must

Knowing Who is able 'ere we lower our yoke of dust)

What if we were far more giving than taking more than we should

What if our goal for living was another's greater good

What if life's most fruitful labor was unfeigned humility

Loving God first, then our neighbour; what a heaven, earth would be

© Janet Martin

A few excerpts from the profound part Sermon on the Mount

below, passages from Matt.6

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.

 If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets,

 as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. 

Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 

3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 

4 so that your giving may be in secret. 

Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you...

...“And why do you worry about clothes? 

See how the flowers of the field grow. 

They do not labor or spin. 

29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today

 and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ 

or ‘What shall we drink?’ 

or ‘What shall we wear?’ 

32 For the pagans run after all these things, 

and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, 

and all these things will be given to you as well. 

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, 

for tomorrow will worry about itself.

 Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Unlike Bridal Shower Gifts

It pained me to crop off all the smiling faces in the photos below

but for respect of privacy I must!

Photo credit; Bridal shower hosts-my sister and niece

Last night I attended a bridal shower for my nephew's fiancée.

Each gift she opened was different but all were thoughtfully

chosen and wrapped for the bride-to-be to open,

and she did with smiles of delight, excitement and thankfulness!

It reminded me of a tidbit of conversation with my mother-in-law yesterday

as we talked of the day when we are 'presented'

back to God, all in our different wrappings,

but unlike bridal shower gifts, 

when God tugs at/opens the diverse wrappings

what remains will be the same in every 'gift';

The Living Soul returned to God,

who so thoughtfully and lovingly 'chose' us,

designed/created us so differently 

and, just as we carefully choose gifts for those we love

He too chose a gift for those He so loves!!

Knowing we are born sinners God provided an

eternal and universal gift/pardon for all who believe in Him.

For God so loved the world that

He gave His only begotten Son,

that whosoever believes in Him will not perish

but have everlasting life

John 3:16

Whatever shapes our share of trials, disappointments and griefs,

God loves us with an unfailing love and justice!

How His face will beam as He welcomes His Bride in the

Greatest Wedding of all Time;

all honor and glory and praise will be for Him

who, through His Redeeming gift purchased Soul's salvation!!

To try and grasp the fulness of his love is mind-blowing!! 

No matter what befalls, God knows

Beneath the Wrapping that we see

His gift of boundless love bestows

More than enough for you and me

God's love no thought can comprehend

He weaves time's ephemeral gauze 

 That drapes The Day when all will bend

Before WHO IS, WILL BE and WAS 

How carefully He fashioned us

Beneath the fleeting part we see

God instilled the mysterious, 

Profound pulse of eternity

The pride and ignorance of fools

Blasphemes/rejects the Name, mighty to save

They do not fear the One who rules

Beyond the tissue of the grave 

God is not mocked; His love is just

Where mercy sparkles from morn's flask 

He grants, to humble faith-hope-trust

Beyond what we can think to ask

No matter what befalls, God knows

Beneath the Wrapping that we see

Each gifted moment overflows

With shimmers of eternity

© Janet Martin

What Gift of Grace is Jesus My Redeemer

Eph.2:1-10

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 

 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world 

and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air,

 the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 

All of us also lived among them at one time,

 gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts.

 Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 

 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,  made us alive with Christ

 even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 

 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

  in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, 

expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 

 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—

and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 

 not by works, so that no one can boast. 

 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, 

which God prepared in advance for us to do.

For Such a Time as This

Happy August! 

And day dawns,

 and seeds brim; 

earth’s fulness like a song...

Proclaiming the goodness of Him to whom all things belong...

It so easy to weigh attitudes and replies/choices 

on the scale of circumstance rather than consequence!

Quick fixes and instant-gratification

 are often not wise or lasting fixes or healthy-habit honing!

God, grant us wisdom and discretion through your Word!

Phil.1:9-11

And this is my prayer: 

that your love may abound more and more 

in knowledge and depth of insight,

  so that you may be able to discern what is best 

and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 

 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—

to the glory and praise of God.

I love listening to this song, esp. in the morning!

Still, Still with Thee

  

Wherever we are today, whatever the circumstance,

for such a time as this God equips us through His Spirit and His Word!

‘For such a time as this’ God puts us where we are

Sin’s consequence leaves much amiss; still, Love tips mercy’s jar

And day dawns, and seeds brim; earth’s fulness like a song

Proclaiming the goodness of Him to whom all things belong

God, rich in mercy reigns! How safe our hope in Him

Whose everlasting Truth sustains the Light that cannot dim

Though dark the days may be, where trouble takes its toll

And subtle is the enemy of faith that makes us whole

The best and worst of days confirm His promises

Mercy moves in mysterious ways to try man’s faithfulness

Poetic, pious phrase is not worship’s Great Price

Beyond our mortal gaze He weighs the fruit of sacrifice

‘For such a time as this’ God grants His steadfast Word

To anchor hope in promises that cannot be deterred

Goodness and mercy still follow us all our days

‘For such a time as this’ God will not fail in all He says

© Janet Martin

Esther 4:14

For if you remain silent at this time, 

relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place,

 but you and your father’s family will perish.

 And who knows but that you have come to your royal position 

for such a time as this?”

I also love this song, a go-to when discouragements press!

God Will Take Care of You

Goodbye July...

Hello all! 

I couldn't bear to wait till August to return,

simply so we can share 

sweet July's goodbye-grief together

Wheat fields wax gold, 

disappear...

Sun-diamonds stud sky-blue lake...

 

Pond is full of silver splash...

Garden goodness overflows...

How am I going to find my cucumber row under this squash plant jungle?!!

It looked like ample room when I planted those teeny seeds!!

And we have a little tomato plant forest as well!

Hard to believe it was this a month and a half ago!

Corn grows tall, a wall of green

Blocking panoramic scene...

(from now till corn harvest we will be

the Little House in the big (corn) Woods)

Every single field around us is tall corn

back view

side view

front view

So, we search for nearer thrills

Zinnias bloom on windowsills...

Wheat fields wax gold, disappear

Cricket chirp catches our ear

Sun-diamonds stud sky-blue lake

July’s goodbye stokes love’s ache

Shade tree beckons, cool retreat

Hairdo wilts in midday-heat

Tot sports popsicle mustache

Pond is full of silver splash

Freckles flourish, as does rose

Garden goodness overflows

Happiness hurts, torn between

What is, will be and has been

Dawn is dew-drenched, dusty-sweet

Want is quenched where waves wash feet

Wildflower profusion spills

Through ditches in rainbow rills

Footloose wonder scales new heights

Heady with July-delights

Bloom sports brooch of butterfly

Summer hearts brace for goodbye

Corn grows tall, a wall of green

Blocking panoramic scene

So, we search for nearer thrills

Zinnias bloom on windowsills

Sunflower beams, we beam back

Queen Ann flaunts lace bric-a-brac

July always feels so brief

Parting is love’s sweetest grief

Thunder rumbles, clouds release

Plush percussion masterpiece

Forging from hello, a bell

Tolling, heavy with farewell

Goodbye July, rest beneath

Summer’s glorious, floral wreath

Goodbye July, we would cry

But for August standing nigh

...a carpet of cricket-shirr

Ripples like a harbinger

Bearing August's bronze Baton

Over wheat fields, here and gone 

© Janet Martin

Sunflower beams, we beam back...

Queen Ann flaunts lace bric-a-brac...

Dawn is dew-drenched, dusty-sweet

Want is quenched where waves wash feet...

Goodbye July, rest beneath

Summer’s glorious, floral wreath...

Hymn of Hope

We are living in very dark days of prophecy being fulfilled

but hope, joy and peace abides...

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you;

My peace I give to you.

I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled;

do not be afraid.

John 15:18

If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first.

Acts 14:22

strengthening the souls of the disciples

and encouraging them to continue in the faith.

"We must endure many hardships

to enter the kingdom of God," they said.

Romans 8:37

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors

through Him who loved us.

Psalm 143:10

Teach me to do thy will;

for thou art my God:

thy spirit is good;

lead me into the land of uprightness.

Matthew 7:21

Not every one that saith unto me,

, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

1 John 2:17

The world is passing away, along with its desires;

but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

***

Praying we turn to, flee to and lean on 

God's Word for comfort and assurance!

Praying we dare to stand strong

like Daniel of old,

in the face of opposition! 

For powerful summer reading I highly recommend

the book of Daniel!

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, 

but My words will never pass away....

The Creator of Heaven and earth is faithful in all He has said

This world is full of noise and joys, grief, trouble, sorrow’s tears

Lord, give us ears to hear Your voice and faith to transcend fears

Your Word is truth; Lord, help us seek to hide it in our hearts

To strengthen us when we are weak, to thwart the Tempter’s darts

To help us to be modern-day apostles; faithful, true

Enough to know that nothing is impossible with You

Who tunes the wondrous universe yet knows us all full-well

Because you died to break sin’s curse and conquer death and hell

This world is charged with choice and consequence, regret and grace

Lord, tune us to the gross offence of love we oft misplace

Lord, forgive us our debt, of neglect and ingratitude

Help us commit not to forget your kind mercies renewed

Each morning, then to live to worship You through word and deed

Enough to know that You forgive, You gird, You intercede

And nothing is too hard for You; Comforter, Father, Friend

Your Word alone equips us to be faithful to the end

This world and all in it will pass away; never Your Word

Like armour that fits perfectly; the soldier/soul-dier undeterred

Able to face ferocious foe with holy confidence

The loving grace whereby we go, faith’s refuge and defense

Because we are victorious, though days are dark with death

Enough to know Who goes before us till our dying breath

When faith’s veil will be rent, and time’s dim glass that we peer through

Is shattered; Lord, keep us obedient, steadfast and true

This world is full of fleeting boasters, proud, corrupt and blind

Lord, pray we strive to love You most, with heart, soul, strength and mind

To wholly trust you as we offer up Self, sacrificed

Glad for the gospel’s sake to suffer for the cause of Christ

Because You suffered in our stead to draw mankind to You

Enough to know what You have said You are able to do

And greater, so much greater is Your Inner Voice unfurled

Than all the human natures of the armies of this world

© Janet Martin

Ps.94:22

But the Lord is my defence; 

and my God is the rock of my refuge.

Rock of Ages 

 

On this rather somber and hopeful note

I am taking my annual blogging break until the end of July.

See you in August, Lord willing!