Forge On, Fellow-Follower

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, 

before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say,

 "I find no pleasure in them"--
Eccles.12:1

Christians are under attack worldwide but forge on, fellow-follower of Jesus,

if God is for us who can be against us?! Rom.8:31

Forge on, the framework of today will fill with what we do and say

The things that test this rebel clay nobody can foresee

But take heart, all who trust the name of He who bore our guilt and shame

In spite of what heretics claim; God WAS, IS and WILL BE

His Word, infallible and sure will keep the believer secure

And help the runner to endure the race until the end

Do not despair, the oaths of they who do not follow or obey

Are in fear of the judgement day, so pray and pray, my friend

Forge on, dear fellow-follower of He who is Deliverer

Defender and the succour-er of all who by faith, trust

Be not afraid, love will not fail no matter what storms may assail

Until death lowers the dark veil that returns dust to dust

…forge on, the flesh that cups the soul where none but God maintains control

Will not escape the sacred goal (not even atheists)

Remember, every knee will bow and every tongue confess Him, wow,

Then we should pay attention now, ere Silver Cord untwists 

 

© Janet Martin

Remember him--before the silver cord is severed,
and the golden bowl is broken;
 before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
and the wheel broken at the well,

Eccles.12:6

Braving Beauty (with a pen)

Malcolm Guite expresses perfectly in the video and poem above what many of us feel...

Sometimes the poet feels inept to walk where former poets stepped

To paint with meager ink and pen the beauty of life’s loves again

For how, when masters of the art have stunned the bottom of the heart

Can I be brave enough to try to pen the prose of earth and sky

But even as I contemplate the reasons I should deviate

From trampled paths of profound speech I cannot quell the urge to reach

Toward what begs to be retold to we not here in days of old

Where perhaps one with fledgling wings will feel the joy a poem brings

And fear will hear hope whisper ‘try’ as trust propels her to the sky

Where all of this would never be without the bliss of poetry

To cheer the way not bound to sod that ultimately leads to God

© Janet Martin

Of Intimate Enclosures

The intimate enclosure of the earth beneath the sky

Where walked the sons and daughters of ages before our Time

Evokes in us a kinship with the seasons that sweep by

As we take our turn at being drawn to nature’s rhyme

…to drink the potent nectar from Moment’s gossamer bloom

To be inebriated by sheer wonder’s thund’rous hush

While we are overtaken by a Presence in the room

As He walks in the garden unimpressed by man’s mad rush

…where if we want to make the most of our numbered days

We should take off our shoes to watch pink ribbons thread the sky

The holy ground we stand on ought to tremble with meek praise

As we worship the One who grants entrance to you and I

Pause, while dusk’s apricot gauze drapes the window to the world

Be overwhelmed with beauty as we sense His hand brush by

For we, awed witnesses behold God’s masterpiece unfurled

To intimate enclosures of the earth beneath the sky

© Janet Martin

Prayer For The Day/Way...

So much sorrow and sickness.
So much spiritual darkness.

So much more comfort, healing and Light

So much more God!

This compilation of song was posted yesterday!

Gorgeous glimpse of Someday Soon!

...in the meantime Dear Heavenly Father,

Make our moments wild with wonder

Help us seek the good and true

Where Your evidences thunder

Where our callow senses plunder

Fill our hearts with love for You

Today is a road not taken,

Yet; but it beams with Your grace

Thus let brave trust reawaken

Promises, pure and unshaken

Nothing in this world can replace

Teach us to trust without doubting

Then, come whatsoever may

In spite of atheist’s spouting

Lies; let their pitiful touting

Spill into tender prayers we pray

Let love suffer longer, kinder

Without second thought or regret

Make mercy’s proof a reminder

When faith feels dumber and blinder

It is not turned into sight yet

Make our motives meeker, purer

My, but mankind’s want can run wild

Guide us, make our footsteps surer

Our hope of Heaven securer

Through You, our Father, we, Your child

© Janet Martin

this song has a special preciousness to it; it was played at Ron's funeral.

Click link on Ron's name for more on that)

My oh my, how we at WBC and beyond miss him! 

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 Pet.1:3

The Glad Truth (of what Time cannot change)

 Because it promised to be a lively one...

 ...into the crock-pot early this morning went one thawed beef blade roast along with

potatoes, carrots, rutabaga, onion , salt, pepper 

and a handful of fresh from-the-freezer chopped parsley (flakes work as well)

Seal crock-pot with foil, put on lid and turn on low all day!

Nothing makes Victoria, the family smile like beef browned potatoes!

So simple. So good on a cold winter night!

One of those delicious delights that time cannot change!

Dawning upon us like love’s madrigal

Hails the glad truth of what time cannot change

Darling, the things that matter most of all

The Chieftain of progress can never estrange

In spite of all it seems to rearrange

It cannot alter the thrill of hello

When face to face, long-missed loved ones we meet

It cannot tarnish the garnish of snow

Soft on the rooftop and woodland and street

Spilling a canvas we scribble with feet

Time leaps with joy in ahoy blush and gold

As we set sail on a sea of new morn

Nature’s surprises will never grow old

Each bloom as fresh as the first ever born

Bestowing beauty to worlds weary-worn

 Modern-day mayhem’s most impressive boasts

Cannot claim credit for sunset or rise

The Hand that grants what accomplishment toasts

Is not affected by time’s age and size

No matter how swift the season-clock flies

Thus, the best things in life will remain so

 Leisurely picnics and much work to do

Teachers to learn from the tots in their tow

Hilltops to offer, if scaled, quite a view

Heaven-glimpse in four words, ‘I love you too’

Laughter that lilts like a gilt butterfly

Butter to better the best have-a-taste

Chatter of children as pure as the sky

Pleasure when we find the keys we misplaced

Twilight on velvet blue, quarter-moon graced

Thank God for puppy with mischievous lad

Sunshine that cannot be stoppered and sold

Beautiful baby and proud mom and dad

Humbled and whelmed by the charge in their hold

Thank God for wonder that never grows old

Wonder to startle the most wizened sage

Music to sweeten sometimes-sour notes

Too many poems to tender to page

River that rushes with autumn’s leaf-boats

Farewells that leave aching lumps in our throats

Supper that spells happiness in a dish

God, rich in mercy whatever our lot

Darling, the things that most satisfy wish

Time cannot altar one tittle or jot

No matter how many years it has caught

© Janet Martin

 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Heb.13:8