Gale-worthy Grounding

Devastation and disaster are part of this life

and sometimes sadly, seems the only way

 for God to really get our attention.

Somehow, when life unfolds smoothly we

are more apt to slip into selfish complacency rather

than call on Him.

When we dwell only on grief's wounds 

that loss of loved ones inflicts

sorrow can be almost unbearable!

However, when we remember and think on the believer's gain, 

where death is but the door to faith's inheritance

what comfort God's promises bestow.

John 11:25

25Jesus 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?”

My friend gifted me a beautiful book

knowing how much I love the books

Streams in the Desert and Springs in the Valley

This book, by the the same author, Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman 

is entitled Consolation... and I love it!

It is a collection of daily devotions

of consolation and encouragement...

(And the pretty, handmade brooch pinned to my bookmark ribbon

was a gift as well from a sweet and super-talented artist

 in my Sunday School class 💝💖)

Yesterday's devotion was esp. ministering to me

and may be to you as well, 

as our hearts are with everyone affected by the wildfires in LA.! 

As I pondered where to begin

to find the beginning of true hope, joy and peace

as I began to trace one truth

it always joined to another...

Faith, without a firm foundation when life’s gales begin to blow

Will be devoid of duration; like a ship tossed to and fro

Hope, without faith’s expectation anchored in redeeming love

Flaps it wings; determination on its own is not enough

Joy without hope’s secure anchor; Jesus, who forgives our sin

When met with bereavement’s rancor, has no Comforter within

Peace, without joy’s Awesome Author, (whose gift of salvation saves)

Cannot be; because no other Voice can calm dread’s wind and waves

Trust, without God’s peace to buffer trouble’s billows undeterred

Cannot bear what it must suffer without guidance from God’s Word

Love, without Trust’s full surrender, is a bud, eager to burst

With incomparable splendor of the One who loved us first

Faith, hope, joy, peace, trust and love; what better bulwark can there be

By the grace of God quite enough to pray ‘be it unto me’

Quite enough to be enough though hell's fury should be unfurled 

Upon the Rock of Jesus' love Faith's Footing overcomes the world  

© Janet Martin

Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,

 we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

 / through whom we have gained access by faith 

into this grace in which we stand. 

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. / 

Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, 

because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ...

Colossians 1:5
the faith and love proceeding from the hope stored up for you in heaven, 

of which you have already heard in the word of truth, the gospel

1 Peter 1:3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! 

By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope

 through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, / 

and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,

 reserved in heaven for you, / 

who through faith are shielded by God’s power 

for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises,

 let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit,

 perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Hebrews 12:14
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, 

without which no one will see the Lord.

How Firm a Foundation

 

Lyrics...

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!

What more can He say than to you He hath said,

To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

2

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,

For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.”

3

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;

For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,

And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.”

4

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;

The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design

Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.”

5

“E’en down to old age all My people shall prove

My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;

And then, when grey hairs shall their temples adorn,

Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.”

6

“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,

I will not, I will not desert to his foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake!”

Author (attributed to): R. Keen (1787); Author: K. (1787); Author (attributed to): George Keith (1787)

Like Diamond Confetti or Ode to January/Winter

Dazzling beholders with morn's molten ambience

Showcasing barren tree's elegant poise....

(Oh dear, this post/poem turned out a little longer than intended

but every time I aimed for a 'last stanza'

it inspired another! 

So this can be either one long poem

or four four-stanza poems)

I always look forward to the season of January and February!

A welcome and gentle exhale after fall rush 

and Christmas celebrations...

 This is the season to slow down and savour

The simmer of supper, 

the shimmer of stars...

 Let masterpieces by Jack Frost astound you...

Unwind in the gentle hue of candle glow...

Be kinder, to yourself and to those around you

Dance in a world of blue sky and white snow

 Glad for the grandeur of every season

Mad with thanksgiving for beauty of snow...

For earth swaddled in feathers wafting from Heaven

Composing a canvas to capture the show...

While we scold bold sparrow hawk,

perched on yon limb...

1. This is the season to slow down and savour

The simmer of supper, the shimmer of stars

Tossed earthward, like diamond confetti, to favour

The landscape with glitter to gild barren bars

2. This is the season to let wonder thunder

With astonished pleasure, at nature’s repose

To cherish the healing of wounds left by summer 💔

To feel the gift Restoration’s Pace bestows

3. …to treasure a sabbath for hands that grow callous

From tasks that Yard Duty renders, spring to fall

To be an awed tenant in Contentment’s palace

Glad for the rhythms of Winter’s Madrigal

4. Glad for the grandeur of every season

Mad with thanksgiving for beauty of snow

For earth swaddled in feathers wafting from Heaven

Composing a canvas to capture the show

***

5. This is the season to ease expectation

To retire from Strict Demand’s rigorous rule

Take time to crunch-crunch through Courtyards of Creation

To admire trees finely bedecked in white tulle

6. Take time to dabble in scrabble-game duels

To thrill at words, like ‘cozy fireside nook’

Thread grief-tender heartstrings with love’s precious jewels

Linger like a lover twixt Cover of Book

7. Let masterpieces by Jack Frost astound you

Unwind in the gentle hue of candle glow

Be kinder, to yourself and to those around you

Dance in a world of blue sky and white snow

8. This is the season for dream-perfect gardens

Lush blooms flourishing ‘neath unwearied vim

For Poet to cease to beg clock for kind pardons

Time’s taut tether loosed; lyrics tumble and glim

***

9. This is the season to turn into laughter

As 'simmer of supper' is served piping hot

As love gazes longer, before Ever After

Captures pretty pictures in frames soon forgot

10. This is the season to savour, hope-heady

Where moments are anything but commonplace

Tossed earthward from Heaven, like Diamond Confetti

Dazzling creation with four-season grace

11. Dazzling beholders with morn's molten ambience  

Showcasing barren tree's elegant poise

Doffed of lofty leaf-lays; yet, striking in silence

This is the season of unexpected joys

  12. While we count our blessings, hot coffee, spaghetti

While we scold bold sparrow hawk, perched on yon limb 

While fresh snowfall glitters like Diamond Confetti

While ev'ry breath beckons a thanksgiving hymn 

*** 

13. Old Man Winter masters the technique of swirls

Pity the bystander, blind to the bliss

Of marvelous artwork only his brush unfurls

In this season of too much magic to miss 

14. Darling, winter's hours are like icicles

Darling, the flowers, still soft-slumbering 

Cannot long constrain the warm zephyr that tickles 

The deeps of a haven that harbours fair spring

15. So, sing hallelujah for winter beauty

Praise the wise Creator for His perfect plan

Rest from the charges of plant-harvest duty 

Rejuvenation for flora and man  

16. This is the season to slow down and listen...

Snow-sermons and symphonies can leave souls awed 

Ah, this is the season of frost-stars that glisten

Like diamond confetti, tossed earthward, from God

© Janet Martin

 Old Man Winter masters the technique of swirls...

Take time to dabble in scrabble-game duels...

Momentous Missionfield

Sharing a few recent moments of kindness today,

either as a witness or recipient.

On the day before Christmas I popped in at a neighbour,

to find his children nursing a rooster back to health in their kitchen

after he missed the coop one frigid night

and suffered frost-bite!

He was enjoying a breakfast of blueberries,

(eaten as soon as they landed) and cheerios!

A text from a friend...

A gift from a friend...

Eggs dropped off from Lucy's husband

(keeping her egg-gifting tradition alive!)

just to name a few as well as many thoughtful texts and cards

over the Christmas Season...

Thank-you💓🙏

Kindness is not a rare opportunity

to make a grand or glamorous gesture of generosity.

Rather, kindness grants countless and daily invitations

to love our neighbours as ourselves! 

Whether literally or figuratively, let's give someone a boost today! 🙏💝

Not always in some foreign place

Do mission fields implore

No! often mercy states its case

Outside our very door

Therefore to whom it may concern

Regarding love's reply

We ought to resolve not to turn

A deaf ear or blind eye

And though we cannot all help all

We all can help someone

For no kindness is ever small

The moment it is done

~Janet Martin

John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give you: 

Love one another.

 As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.

  By this everyone will know that you are My disciples,

 if you love one another.”

Romans 15:1-2
We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak

 and not to please ourselves. 

Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

1 John 3:16-18
By this we know what love is: 

Jesus laid down His life for us, 

and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 

 If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need,

 but withholds his compassion from him, 

how can the love of God abide in him? 

Little children, let us love not in word and speech, 

but in action and truth.

Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, 

but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 

 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, 

but also to the interests of others.

Only For Today...

 

Phil.4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always.

 I will say it again: Rejoice! 

5Let your gentleness be evident to all.

 The Lord is near.

 6Do not be anxious about anything, 

but in every situation,

 by prayer and petition, 

with thanksgiving, 

present your requests to God. 

7And the peace of God, 

which transcends all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds

 in Christ Jesus.

A little doodle to begin a new week of looking up...

(Disclaimer: I have never pretended to be an accomplished artist 😅😂)

Not for tomorrow’s load of care

But only for today

I lift to Thee a simple prayer

To be my Strength and Stay

Not for tomorrow’s want and need

Do I pour out my heart

But only for today I plead

‘Lord, help me do my part’

Not for tomorrow’s battle-cry

Nor morrow’s misery

But only for today, supply

Mercy’s kind courtesy

Not for tomorrow’s come-what-may

Do I beseech Thy grace

Dear Lord, but only for today

Be sorrow’s resting place

Lord, list'ner of love's humble prayer

In Jesus’ name I pray

Fit me, not for tomorrow’s care

But only for today

And, should courage and confidence

Falter, Lord, help me hear

Your whisper, like a thousand winds  

'Fear not, for I am near'

© Janet Martin

A song for your wondering pleasure!

Who Am I?

Sweet and Sacred Solace

Have you confessed before God

that you are a sinner in need of a Saviour?

Have you, by faith received redemption's gift,

salvation for your soul?

Have you experienced the joy and peace 

that only God's full forgiveness brings?

Do you have the assurance, when death comes

That Jesus' death and resurrection

conquered the grave?!

If so, have we not the best reason to rejoice

all the days of our life,

with reverent adoration

for the sweet and sacred solace of

God's abiding Presence, no matter what befalls?!

There is a Redeemer

God is a Redeemer.

When we fall, He cares

Untangling the Dreamer

From besetting snares

God is love. He listens

When we weep He hears

Reaching down from heaven

To gather our tears

God is good and righteous

When faith is deterred

He thrills to delight us

With His faithful word

God is kind and gracious

When we stumble then

Rather than condemn us

He says 'try again'

God is rich in mercy's

Staggering supply

Bidding, but not forcing

How we will reply

© Janet Martin

1 Peter 1:18-19
For you know that it was not with perishable things

 such as silver or gold

 that you were redeemed from the empty way of life 

you inherited from your forefathers, 

/ but with the precious blood of Christ, 

a lamb without blemish or spot.

Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood,

 the forgiveness of our trespasses,

 according to the riches of His grace

Titus 2:14
He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness

 and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession,

 zealous for good deeds.

Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law

 by becoming a curse for us. 

For it is written:

 “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

Till Death Doth Part Is Not Word-art...

Mark 10:7-9

 7‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother

 and be united to his wife,

c 8and the two will become one flesh.’d 

So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

9Therefore what God has joined together, 

let man not separate.”

For all who are married

 or thinking of marriage,

or thinking of ending a marriage,

something to consider/ponder...

What God has joined 💕💗

He will sustain

through ups and downs of love

'as long as both shall live' remain

He will His witness prove...

No, not our anniversary,

no, no wedding today

Just pondering the inescapable,

exhaustless common ground

 of love

Before any marriage fails

a friendship fails first.

May this year be filled with

refreshed and restored friendships!! 

🙏🙏🙏

God will not fail

all who humbly and sincerely

ask Him for help and wisdom.

Till death doth part is not word-art by signatures undone

Love's solemn vow does not somehow recant as time goes by

These words 'I do' are woven through God's hands; two become one

A covenanted knot, God-wrought, only death can untie 

Husband and Wife are thus, for life; marriage, a Mystery

Where what was two with this 'I do' is transformed into one 

And no rebate can separate the sacred filigree

As vows of love are sealed above, only by death undone 

For better-worse is not a curse but a glimpse of God's heart

To have and hold while dreams unfold much to learn and forgive

 And keep the vow no matter how many urge 'one' to part 

Airing 'just cause' as if this was mankind's prerogative 

We are not God; and too oft awed by what is not Enough

Like pride of life, or selfish strife or trusting mortal ken 

God's word is true; He helps us through the thick and thin of love

Till death doth part is not word art, but God with us. Amen 

© Janet Martin

Chariots of Fire

Ps.139:1-6

O LORD, You have searched me

and known me.

2You know when I sit and when I rise;

You understand my thoughts from afar.

3You search out my path and my lying down;

You are aware of all my ways.

4Even before a word is on my tongue,

You know all about it, O LORD.

5You hem me in behind and before;

You have laid Your hand upon me.

6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too lofty for me to attain.

Daylight rolled across the earth

like chariots of fire...

... before clouds obliterated the gold with gray

...but, gold or gray, the Giver of Today is The Same; good!

(Click linked lines for scripture passages)

How much more difficult appears the day

How darker with despair looms the unknown

How readily fresh courage slips away

When we forget that we are not alone

When we forget God's precious promises

'Lo, I am with you always, to the end

Take heart, I will not leave you comfortless

But send an Advocate to be your friend

To intercede with groans too deep for words

To lead you in the path of righteousness

And to the Higher Rock my goodness girds

I AM the LORD; your refuge and fortress

I am the Lord; the God of all mankind

Is anything too difficult for Me?

I hem you in from before and behind

Such knowledge is too wonderful for thee 

...too lofty to attain with mortal ken

Dear child of mine, let not dread's thought conspire

As I am with you now, I will be then

To fill the hills with chariots of fire

© Janet Martin

 Eric Liddell's story inspired the epic piece of music Chariots of Fire!

Vangelis - Chariots Of Fire

 

We, followers of God, are all in a race, not so dissimilar to Eric Liddell's;

called to stand for convictions founded in the Word of God,

no matter what the cost.

Dear Mariner of Time...

Happy, happy New Year!

As I was working on today's poem I replied to a Facebook comment

on the previous post...I am Thinking of you, my dear Lucy

And shared with my friend a half-awake-half-asleep dream.

The ambience of that 'dream' helped inspire today's poem!

By this 'dream' I was reminded afresh; 

God has inconceivable joys forevermore in store

for all who believe in Him, when we reach Yonder Shore!

In my 'dream' I suddenly had a 'picture/vision' of God smiling and whispering 

'if you could only imagine the joys I have in store for followers of Me!!'

 and I had this sense of blinding white-gold glory 

and absolute comfort and peace. 

Hard to describe. 

But it has cheered me immensely.

The Race of Faith

Heb.12:1-2

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 

let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, 

and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

 2looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, 

who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, 

despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

So now into another year we sail...

Dear Mariner of Time, dread not the gale

For hope, through Jesus Christ, anchors the soul

And faith in Him assures us of the Goal

Without a doubt storms wait with shrieking blast

Without a doubt death's shadow will be cast

Without a doubt the sun also will shine

To warm and cheer us, Mariners of Time

The Voyage from the cradle to the grave

Is one each Mariner of Time must brave

Where Telescope of Sight and Logic strains

But cannot see what only faith attains 

Into another year we sail, ahoy

And wonder what will come, of grief and joy

Dear Mariner of Time, dread not the course

No fate can take vessels of faith by force 

The Captain of faith's fleet will never fail

And though He tests the rigging with the gale

Dear Mariner of Time, each Tempest Sore

Sweetens and keens faith's fervour for the Shore 

© Janet Martin

The Hatley Family...He Whispers Sweet Peace To Me