Thursday, December 9, 2021

Like a Wind-swirl or a Splash...

Explanation to this photo at the bottom of this post...💝

This post inspired in part by Luke 8...
in part by scattered seeds, 
soon bearing blooms of consequence, 
and in part the momentum of moments...

Therefore consider carefully how you listen.
Whoever has will be given more;
whoever does not have,
even what they think they have will be taken from them.”
Luke 8:18

“Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.
Luke 8:25

“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.”
Luke 8:39

Where clocks unravel so much more than morning, 



noon ...

and night...

(While I was writing this post my mom called to tell me 
my Uncle (Ernie Frey) passed away last night,
making the point of this poem ever the more poignant! 
He was in his 80's but the moment life ceases, the span of
100 years is but a spark and one breath eternity)


Between the bars of birth and death a sacred field unfolds
Where scattered seeds of no and yes soon shatters nascent molds
To strew beneath our hands and feet the fruit of consequence
Where tots follow, so pure and sweet, cloaked in Brief Innocence

What may seem nondescript at first, bursts tick-tock’s tiny glove
The loom of living blessed and cursed with faith or lack thereof
Where clocks unravel so much more than morning, noon and night
The Judge’s gavel poised above the roar of dark and Light

We all have this in common; death’s Summoning of the Soul
The seeds we scatter matter; only faith can make us whole
The Word of God anchors Unknown with Truth’s Security
Time's speck of sod man’s stepping stone into eternity

...this stanza added after mom called💖🙏

Ah look, life’s book of seasons is soon turned to dust and ash
Thought’s tilt-a-whirl of reasons like a wind-swirl or a splash
Where soon the wheel of day-to-day that shapes life’s clay will cease
Ah, pray we hear God say, ‘your faith has saved you. Come in peace’

© Janet Martin



I have one tot in my childcare
 who loathes the sound of tick-tocking clocks right now,
and so we have been trying to allay her fears by bringing clocks up close 
and smooth-talking/soothe-talking time away😅
It's quite an awakening to the adult mind to try to explain time
in terms a small child can understand!!


Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Oh, That We All Would...

Inspired in part by Luke 7
It was so neat; Luke 7 was yesterday's Dec. 7th reading
and this portion of that chapter was also part of last night's small group study!
Oh, that we all would identify with the woman
 in this beautiful account of Jesus' love for sinners...
Luke 7:36-50
When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[c] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”




‘Your faith has saved you, go in peace’
Oh, that we all would hear
Love’s blessed verdict of release
As joy fills sorrow’s tear
As we receive forgiveness from
The One who knew no sin
But calls to everybody ‘come’
A new life to begin

Oh, that we all would hear Him say
‘Your sins have been forgiv’n’
To feel guilt’s shackles fall away
Replaced by hope of heav’n
No longer who we once had been
As we confess sin’s score
God washes our rap sheet clean
Rememb’ring it no more

Oh, that we all would be transformed
By the gift faith receives
Through Jesus Christ, of death unarmed
The hour one believes
The gift of God, eternal life
Where once sin’s wage condemned
His peace prevails amidst the strife
By His promises hemmed

Oh, that we all will hear some day
‘Well done!’ and this because
We all would find The Only Way
The Truth, The Life; Jesus
Oh, that we all would be a part
Of hope and joy’s increase
As God transforms the human heart
With righteousness and peace

Oh, that we all would wash His feet
With tears of gratitude
Not trembling at the Judgement Seat
Save with wonder renewed
Oh, that we all would cling to this;
 Redemption's gift, so good
'Your faith has saved you, go in peace'
Oh, but that we all would 

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Joy-Athletes

Inspired in part by Luke 6
(such a rich chapter! so hard to choose just a few thoughts)

There's no getting around it; God knows our hearts!
Whether what we do is to glorify Him first through loving our neighbour as our self
or whether we live to look after personal interests first!
Jesus reminded the Pharisees that the 'Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.'
He taught us that it is always lawful to do good on any day of the week.
While, not voiding the command in Exodus 20:8-11  
to take a day of rest unto the Lord;
' Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 
Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; 
but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord God;
in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, 
your manservant, or your maidservant, or your cattle,
 or the sojourner who is within your gates;
 for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth,
 the sea, and all that is in them, 
and rested the seventh day; 
therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it.'

In Luke 6 He went on to remind them/us 
of the faithfulness of God to sacrificial and suffering believers.
He encourages believers/followers to
 'leap for joy, for great is the reward in Heaven'.
Luke 6:23

So let's all be athletes and 'leap for joy'!!






Oh, leap for joy
The baby boy
In Bethlehem became
Redemption’s Lamb
God’s gift to man;
Salvation through His name

Trust in the One
Who gave His Son
The war o’er death to win
Faithful and just
He forgives us
As we confess our sin

Rejoice in He
Who sets us free
From dread of death and hell
The wonders of
Redeeming love
Is more than tongue can tell

Then join the song
The angel throng
Began so long ago
Peace and goodwill
To sweetly fill
Hearts dark with Eden's woe

And let life be
A melody
Of love’s lovely increase
As we applaud
The gift of God
Of righteousness and peace

Joy to the world
Mercy unfurled
Hope’s banner, blood red, oh
Yet by God’s grace
Sin is erased

The doleful knell
Of would-be hell
Is quelled; let love applaud
And leap for joy
That baby Boy
Restored man’s way to God

Then let each heart
Become the part
That cradles Heaven’s boy
As we revere
God’s gift so dear
And sing with endless joy

© Janet Martin


Monday, December 6, 2021

Pre-Winter Wind-Storm

 While we put on the tea kettle...




The wind gnaws at window sashes
Growls like a dog with a bone
Hurls and swirls russet leaf-ashes
Plastering autumn’s gravestone
Bidding stragglers to take cover
Underneath awnings that drip
With tears of a jilted lover
Burned by tamed flames of friendship
Turning ruddy, countenances
Sallow, for lack of sun’s kiss
Jeering like a rogue that dances
As if nothing was amiss
Raking treetop’s naked tresses
Shaking hatches battened down
Hoisting the hemlines of dresses
Making modest matrons frown
Where the heart like a wild stallion
Pounds like hoofs on rib-caged turf
Conscious of wraithlike rebellion’s
Rising, rolling, roaring surf
Boisterous, good-for-nothing rebel
Rattles doors with cold, hard fact
While we put on the tea kettle
And pray the roof stays intact

© Janet Martin


Jim just called to make sure I've 'battened down the hatches'!!
the ominous moan of this morning is turning into 
growling gusto...



Universal Invitation to Peace

Inspired in part by Luke 4&5
as well as week two of advent and the theme of Peace

Matt.5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, 
For they shall be called sons of God.



Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
2 Cor.9:15



Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, 
and I will give you rest.
Matt. 11:28

Come with gladness and receive Him
Come with faith and be made whole
Lest by rejection we grieve Him
Healer of body and soul

Come, ye weary worn, care-laden
Come elder and children all
Come, young fellow and fair maiden
Heed The Great Physician’s call

Lest sin remains unforgiven
(Deathly debt none can defend)
Lest we, worldly-wisdom driven
Forfeit Heaven in the end

Lest hell’s hopeless haunting breaks us
As we wander to and fro
Lest the tempter’s taunting takes us
Where no thought or feet should go

Come, lest Lofty Dream deceives us
Come, though scorning skeptics laugh
Follow He who never leaves us
But pleads on the Soul’s behalf

We are crippled, blind and broken
Without God’s peace to console
Until we hear these words spoken
Friend, your faith has made you whole

Let the Prince of Peace deliver
Hearts, bitter and cynical
Like an arrow in His quiver
Let love work faith’s miracle

Forsake debate and believe Him
Lest doubt’s dark demons increase
Trust His promise and receive Him
Author of hope, joy and peace

© Janet Martin

When Jesus saw their faith, he said,
 “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
Luke 5:20





Saturday, December 4, 2021

Where Still The Call To All Remains...

 Inspired in part by Luke 3

Unto Us-Living Stones Quartet




In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
2and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Matt.3:1

And all people will see God’s salvation.
Luke 3:6

Truth’s Voice cries in the wilderness ‘prepare’ for He who will return
The advent of His holiness trembles in hearts that wait and yearn
Where still the call to all remains, ‘repent, ‘be baptized’, ‘come, adore’
Before the Lord winnows the grains from chaff on Judgment’s threshing floor

Faith bows before Him in reply, whose feet we are not fit to kiss
Whose appearing will fill the sky; no foretold oracle amiss
Whose example still fills the Word, whose Truth will never shift or sway
Whose Spirit abides, undeterred to all who trust Him and obey

The advent of the Lord’s return burns in hearts fixed beyond time’s strife
While Mercy pleads where unfaith spurns the Only Way, the Truth, The Life
As believers become the voice that cries in holy urgency
Because belief becomes the choice that becomes soul’s eternity

Hark! Where the angels praised his birth, they will fill up the sky again
As the Lord of Heaven and earth returns forevermore to reign
Where the God of Deliverance tarries because so many doubt
And do not grasp the recompense of what God's gift is all about

Truth’s Voice cries in the wilderness ‘prepare’ for He who will return
The advent of His holiness trembles in hearts that wait and yearn
Where still the call to all remains, ‘repent, ‘be baptized’, ‘come, adore’
Before the Lord winnows the grains from chaff on Judgment’s threshing floor

© Janet Martin



Someone posted the suggestion on Facebook to read a chapter of Luke every day till Christmas Eve to read the whole book of Luke and his account of the whole life of Jesus!
So, before I go to bed I will try to read a chapter of Luke until Christmas.
I might not have a poem for every chapter but wow!
so much wonder in the Word to kindle inspiration, rejoicing and Hope!

Friday, December 3, 2021

Caught Marveling

And they were calling to one another:
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
Isa.6:3

While I was pushing tot on the swing yesterday
just before dark,
God trailed His glory on sky and sod...





On parchment of sod, sky and sea
God’s glory is extolled
Four seasons filled with majesty
Time’s manuscripts unfold

Without shadow of wondering
The seed beneath the snow
Cradles the quiet thundering
Of birth and spring’s hello

The Creator of nature’s waltz
Grants but a glimpsed prelude
Of He who earth and sky exalts
And we, with gratitude

The beauty of the Lord abounds
With all but Fringe unseen
Until that day when He confounds
With no dark glass between

Praise He whose beauty births delight
Yet is but Sight's small crumb/sum
That whets Hope’s howling appetite
With The Best Yet to Come

© Janet Martin

Come, One and All and Gather Round

This post is inspired in part by Luke 2

 Light of the Stable-Selah



  



If covid has proven anything it's that we all need
the glad tidings of great joy/grace through Jesus!
We have been challenged and most of us likely disappointed
at times at responses and attitudes of our fellow-travelers
(in this journey of life) 
during the ongoing ripple-effects of this pandemic,
making the account of Jesus birth and childhood in Luke 2 
especially meaningful and vital this year!
Luke 2:10-11
And the angel said unto them, 
Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, 
which shall be to all people
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David 
a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

1 John 3:10
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, 
that He might destroy the works of the devil.

Come, one and all and gather round
Love’s wonder to behold
Glad tidings of great joy abound
For people young and old
For Jesus, though the King of kings
Did not despise God’s call
Or flee Calvary's sufferings
To be Saviour of all

Come one and all and gather round
The manger where He lay
Jesus, not royal robed and crowned
But on a bed of hay
Come bow your head and shed a tear
Of both sorrow and joy
Behold Majesty’s meek veneer
In Mary’s Baby Boy

Come, one and all and gather near
Lest morrow is too late
The message of God’s love is clear
Destiny more than fate
For whoever believes in Him
Eternal life will gain
Death’s verdict without God is grim
And life, hopeless and vain

Come, one and all and gather round
To celebrate with joy
The hope for man, none can confound
And nothing can destroy
Come one and all, hail and adore
The Gift angels applaud
For this is more than ancient lore
This is the love/Son of God

© Janet Martin



This morning's Daily Bread Devotion
 includes this precious passage of scripture from
1 John 2:28-3:10

The Children of God
28 And now, little children, abide in Him, 
that [a]when He appears, we may have confidence 
and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 
29 If you know that He is righteous, 
you know that everyone who practices righteousness 
is born of Him.

The Command to Love
3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us,
 that we should be called children of [b]God! 
Therefore the world does not know [c]us, 
because it did not know Him. 
2 Beloved, now we are children of God; 
and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, 
but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, 
for we shall see Him as He is. 
3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Sin and the Child of God
4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, 
and sin is lawlessness. 
5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, 
and in Him there is no sin. 
6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. 
Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.

7 Little children, let no one deceive you. 
He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 
8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. 
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, 
that He might destroy the works of the devil. 
9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, 
for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, 
because he has been born of God.

The Imperative of Love
10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: 
Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, 
nor is he who does not love his brother.