The Anticipation Proclamation

 

In anticipation of days to come...

No, not the Emancipation Proclamation 

which is the subject of this chuckle...

Barney Fife and  the Emancipation Proclamation😂

Summer will come again 

Its colours slip between 

Heaven and earth and turn its girth 

From white to glorious green 

First spring will stretch its legs 

Giggle and wiggle toes 

And tickle limbs with budded hymns 

That burst into full rose 

Where Old Man Winter’s chill 

Is still in snow-full swing 

His numbered numbing days of white-blue grays 

Will soon fall prey to spring 

Then we will stretch our legs 

And wiggle bare foot toes 

And splash into the green-gold-blue 

Of summer’s sweet hellos 

All children, young and old 

Beneath the beaming sky 

Where summer is a flower-kiss 

And time, a butterfly 

© Janet Martin 

He Restoreth My Soul

Psalm 23:1-3

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: 

he leadeth me beside the still waters.

 He restoreth my soul: 

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness 

for his name's sake.

Whether our pastures are green or white

The Shepherd of our souls is not hampered by the season!

He restores our souls 

But only as we pause 

And only as we meditate 

On His statutes and laws 

And only as we pray 

And only as we trust 

And reconcile our willful way 

To Mercy’s perfect must 

…and only as we drink 

Where we will never thirst 

And only as we rearrange 

Our loves and put God first 

And only by His grace 

Through faith, that makes us whole 

He leads us to the quiet place 

Where He restores our souls 

© Janet Martin

Thou Wilt Keep Him In Perfect Peace

by Samuel Sebastian Wesley

Adapting to Time's Changes

It's easy, when our comfort zones are not rocked 

to become more complacent than we think we are.

Yesterday morning's sky suggested a storm on the horizon...

...the afternoon proved it!

The times we are in suggest a storm on the horizon!

What are we doing to prepare?

This song has become a bit of a mainstay in my mind

in these changing times!

Rock of Ages  thank-you Augustus Toplady

Adapting to time’s changes that we sometimes don’t expect

Can introduce ourselves to strangers we have never met

How well love’s pieces fall in place when life is kind and good

But who are we when things don’t go the way we wish they would?

Change is a curtain-rise exposing foreign points of view

Principles will be challenged with popular say and do

And if we don’t know why we stand for what we do, look out

The fall will surely show who pomp and boast was all about

The Rock of Ages does not change but everything else will

The sacred pages of love’s law are pure and perfect still

Forbid we think about ourselves more highly than we ought

But humbly seek the One whereby meekness and Truth are taught

Who are we when push comes to shove and shove to shock and awe

When we are challenged by a mob ignorant of God’s law

Where will we stand when change arranges strange conspiracies

Will we look to First in Command or earthly hierarchies 

When change confronts us with sudden and unexpected spar

And introduces ourselves to who we really are

It sometimes comes as a surprise when stripped of love’s façade 

To realize how often we trust man, rather than God

Adapting to time's changes is more than fodder-for-past

For Time is not a liar; it will tell the truth at last

Of who we serve, what we preserve by faith or negligence 

And who we are by who we look to for our confidence

© Janet Martin

It is better to trust in the LORD Than to put confidence in man.

Psalm 118:8

Marvel-Medley

In the book The Dean's Watch

the Dean, Adam Ayscough's great sorrow was 

that he did not discover joy until near

the end of his life.

But when he did, how he marveled at

how wonder-filled life became.

Glimpse Him in sky-grandeur, 

in rock-wefted specks of snow

Marvel where a myriad of masterpieces spill

Crunching beneath footsteps and bedecking tree and hill

Waiting in the wake of winter to break boreal mud

Ensconcing earth in rich em’rald of unfettered bud

Marvel at the mercy that disperses second try

Meting, ever meting so much more than meets the eye

Like the wind that whispers in the winnowing of dark

Tugging at bare branches and strings tangled ‘round the heart

Marvel at stars lilting in the laughter of a child

Season-panoramas stitched like patchwork quilts run wild 

Fashion from thy ration of life’s lease, a counterpane

Pieced by sun and shadow, clover meadow, rush of rain

Marvel at the melody that throbs with God’s ‘behold’

All that He created waits, pure worship to unfold

Glimpse Him in sky-grandeur, in rock-wefted specks of snow

Savour the sweet flavour of joy, wonder’s afterglow

Marvel at the way mere man is lavished with God's grace

Fitted to love's masterplan with ways thought cannot trace

Permeating purpose into every single breath

"To God be the glory, Maker of heaven and earth" 

Marvel at the endless possibilities of awe

God's forgiveness is the bedrock and crown of love's law

Marvel at the hemline of Majesty trailing where

We behold but the fringes of His Everlasting care

© Janet Martin

Psalm 92:4-6

For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work;

I will triumph in the works of Your hands.

O Lord, how great are Your works!

Your thoughts are very deep.

A senseless man does not know,

Nor does a fool understand this.

this marvel-medley was pieced together between

pre-dawn lego-creations, 

scrambled eggs...

second coffees 

and other such domestic marvels💗

(tell me, is not the sound of tea or coffee being poured

one of life's sweetest, simplest marvels?!)

Keeping Seeking Thy Kingdom First

 

Matt.6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, 

and all these things shall be added to you.

Come, Let Us All Unite To Sing, God Is Love

The fine line between hate and love is sometimes blurred by word and deed 

We ought to give our thought-parade our utmost, honest, earnest heed 

…and guard our hearts; for from its parts the mouth draws the laws it employs 

We are called to stand firm and true, not loud and proud and full of noise 

Love, keep us kind; for soon behind us strews the ash of taste and touch 

I’ve watched where hatred raised a glass and toasted love, justice and such 

Whilst wild and bold a shameless throng swarms, storms a baby-blood-bathed street 

Lord, teach us how to suffer long and how to wash each other’s feet 

Let those who look see You in us; beholding joy in mortal glove 

Lord, fill us with your righteousness so that we are equipped to love 

For blessed are the peace-makers, the pure in heart, the poor, the meek 

And blessed are the thirsty, hungry who firstly Your kingdom seek 

© Janet Martin 

Col.3:1-2, 12-17

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, 

where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God

. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things...

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, 

clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

  13Bear with each other and forgive one another 

if any of you has a grievance against someone. 

Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

  14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, 

since as members of one body you were called to peace. 

And be thankful.

  16Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly 

as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom 

through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, 

singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

  17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, 

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

Of Endless Possibilities (finally, a foodie post)

People are like cooking ingredients; 

Capable of so much more when put together! 

Like today's lunch salad...

each ingredient is okay on its own 

but outstanding when mixed!

(Today's version. this style of salad is fantastically versatile!)

A few handfuls of chopped cauliflower, 

Approximately 1 cup chopped cucumber,

chopped red onion (to taste) 1/2 can chick peas, 1/2 cup black beans,

1 large carrot, shredded, crumbled feta cheese

Dressing; put in blender

 Juice of 2 lemons

2 tbsp. sugar or honey

pinch of pepper flakes

dash of dill

smidgeon of salt and fresh ground black pepper

1/2 cup oil

blend approx. 1 min.

optional ingred. handfuls of chopped kale or spinach, avocado, red peppers, broccoli, celery, etc.

Blending the ingredients of the recipe below, published in the latest Rural Route

(tweaked a bit so I can share the recipe and because I don't like using margarine in cooking)

is a delicious break-the-muffin-blahs. a little different too, blending the whole orange!

 For Christmas I received a recipe book; on my wish list for a while!

The recipe below has quickly become a favorite!

Seriously yummy!

Unfortunately, midst the excitement of eating

I always forget to take a picture of the finished product... here it is not quite all gone!

the first one (no pic)had the cherry tomatoes...definitely a nice finishing touch if you have them!

Together we can do far more than each of us alone 

Imagine, flour without butter trying to be Scone 

Imagine if an egg were only scrambled, boiled or fried 

Or if measure-and-stir was Cook’s simple pleasure, denied 

Imagine if a wooden spoon could never mix and beat 

No pinch ‘o this and-bit-‘o-that to make it salty, sweet 

No culinary prizes, nothing to whip, froth or fold 

No new supper-surprises from ingredients age-old 

No simmer, sauté, season, sift or mince, chop, slice and dice 

No making something special for somebody very nice 

No chill, bake, broil, nothing pinched, dashed or smidgen-ed into bowls 

No pudding, pie, soup, cookies, cakes, chowders or casseroles 

Imagine if we couldn’t toss a medley in a bowl 

To make something that satisfies the stomach, heart and soul 

Imagine if we never had discovered shredded cheese !!!

Imagine life, without love's endless possibilities😋😊 

© Janet Martin

Last night's supper included a never-gets-old-version

of roasted Veggies,

cube veggies and toss with seasonings

Last night I kept it simple

Salt and pepper, garlic powder and thyme

drizzle of olive oil. 

spread on baking sheet. Bake at 375-400

Baking time depends on amount and veggie kinds...from 40-60 minutes.

I always do a huge batch so leftovers can be used for lunches etc.

Measure of Joy

The 'plan' and the 'pen' don't seem to be in sync these days...

This was supposed to be a poem about food/cooking-pleasure 

('cause its been a while since the *last foodie or Thursday-what's-for-supper-post)

but the poem took off in a whole other direction😂 

The joy of poetry!💓💗💝

(ya' just never know what you're gonna end up with at the end of a whisper-chase)

It bursts across horizon lines in orchestras of gold 

Victoria and I went out to the fence to watch the prelude break into full song!

 

Its good cannot be measured by a scale or spoon or cup 

Its pleasure, greatly treasured none can order for pick up 

Its prize no greed can garner; no miser its worth can hoard 

A candle-gentled corner, or musician’s perfect chord 

It sparkles in sheer beauty like sun-diamonds on the sea 

It blesses common duty with an apron’s majesty 

It lightens loads we shoulder with unbridled thankfulness 

It brightens the soul’s window with hope’s humble happiness 

It beautifies the pan and pot with culinary art 

It satisfies all that is not with a surrendered heart 

From founts of skin and bone its milk of human kindness spills 

It bounces like a beach ball, gleams like streams of daffodils 

There is no substitute for it; no alternate envoy 

No Panglossian surrogate can take the place of joy 

Or fill us with the perfect peace surpassing Reason’s nod 

Or bid the inner tempest cease with promises of God 

It bursts across horizon lines in orchestras of gold 

It births in us something so fine and wondrous to enfold 

It lavishes the ordinary with dazzling delight 

And makes us feel too very merry to play host to spite 

It keeps our fears in check as we count blessings, my, oh my, 

The greatest being Heaven (if forgiven) when we die 

Joy overflows the trouble that began after The Fall 

And causes us to tremble with the wonder of it all 

Joy makes us so much sweeter from the bottom of the heart 

Like licking off the beater and eating the whipped cream tart 

Like a boy going fishing after all his chores are through 

Like trading well-worn wishing for a great, big, fat Thank-You (God) 

Joy is a horse at full-gallop, joy is a purring cat 

The satisfying wallop on the sweet spot of the bat 

A holy, wholesome attuning to tick-tock’s tolling tide 

Joy is the closest thing to Heaven while we are earth-side 

Have you received its measure to cheer you upon your way 

Or marveled at the treasure God pours into jars of clay 

Have you trusted the promise that no scoffer can destroy 

And dusted off the book by the Author of love’s full joy 

Joy; it cannot be bartered for, it is no lottery 

Joy is the harvest from a heart of true humility 

Joy is the precious awareness of Mercy’s kind embrace 

Of pleasure in the measure of the treasure of God’s grace 

© Janet Martin

 

Phil.1:3-5

 I thank my God every time I remember you.

 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 

5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,

 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you 

will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Phil.2:1-2

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ

, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, 

if any tenderness and compassion, 

2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, 

having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 

Phil.3:1

Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! 

It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, 

and it is a safeguard for you. 

Phil.4:1

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, 

you whom I love and long for, 

my joy and crown, 

stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

*hopefully a foodie-post to follow this one!

I've been having lots of kitchen-joy this winter.

(most of the time without photos;-/)

The Wonder-full Wake Of It All

This poem began with the intention of being about life

but turned into a poem that could also be about marriage

Life is full of lessons on learning how to get along and share!

Every summer the ducks at our cottage make me chuckle;

they seem like people in a way; some greedy and noisy

 and others more easy-going as they learn how to share

their food and their lake😊 

You know how it is; the kick and the kiss 

The sorrow that sweetens the joy 

The worlds that fly through hello and good-bye 

The duty that gathers our dreams in a sigh 

The beauty that feathers a tear to our eye 

And weathers the once-girl-and-boy 

You know how it goes, high-fives and low blows 

The wonder-full wake of it all 

The twist, turn and tug, the live-learn, the hug 

The pain-staking prayers for loads that we lug 

The haste of a year full of chug-chug-chug 

The sparkle of stars as they fall 

You know how it hurts; for better or worse 

So worth keeping hand to the plow 

The pull and the shove as we work through the rough 

Knowing sometimes showing up is enough 

Heave-ho, hold, let go, for the sake of love 

And the sanctity of a vow 

You know how it takes what we have and makes 

A heart-and-soul art-gallery 

The tint of Time slips through fingers and lips 

My, how the brush of the rush of days drips 

Into a mural of tempests and ships 

And by God’s grace, love’s legacy 

© Janet Martin 

 

 

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, 

but also for the interests of others.

Phil.2:4