Very Precious, Second-to-None Gift...

Happy Family Day!

Today's Family Day was spent with

cherished church-family

as a dear brother was laid to rest...

He was a son, a brother, a husband and a dad.

The tender tributes by his family

 surely roused in the hearts of everyone present

a kinder and humbler commitment to love one another,

to help one another

and cherish our families 

while we can!

Let's make every day Family Day💝💞💕

How suddenly (what may at first glance seem quite commonplace)

the ordinary becomes sacred!

The gift of family is life’s imperfect, Perfect Best

Epitome of love fulfilled and sorely put to test

How blessed we are with words like ‘husband’ and ‘wife’, ‘mom’ and ‘dad’

When life is Brother-sister-gramps-and-gram, aunt-uncle glad

For in the end all that remains of all we now embrace

Are memory-mementos of a bygone time and place

How humbly then, as today brims with opportunity

We ought to love each other like a great big family

When life’s sweet circle breaks as death collects its ordained due

It makes us more aware of little words like ‘me-and-you’

And stirs a deeper thankfulness, even while love’s tears fall

For the kind gift of family, life’s dearest gift of all

Life is too short to waste in bickering and blow-for-blow

Today is for forgiving because none of us can know

Who will be next to leave behind the rest of us to weep

Over precious mementos that the heart alone can keep

So, by God’s grace, while we are still on this side of the grave

Let's vow to live and love as if today is all we have

Where, nothing remains commonplace as we begin to see

The precious, second-to-none gift of love of family

© Janet Martin

John 13:34 ESV 

A new commandment I give to you, 

that you love one another:

 just as I have loved you, 

you also are to love one another.

Till Arbors Drip With Petal Plumes...

So many, in spite of a blizzard

do not have the luxury of being 'snowed in'.

Although a lot of snowplows are temporarily parked 

I did see one go past our house a little while ago...

rephrase-

I heard it. It was so white I couldn't see it!!

Thank-you to all the winter-heroes!

...and here? 

Well, it looks like a day of unrushed ink, 

coffee pot refills

a little oven lovin'...

birdie-watching

fire tending

and counting our blessings!

(don't you just love the word 'unrushed'💝)

When arbors drip with petal-plumes

When flowers frill earth’s living rooms

And gardens bob with breeze-kissed blooms

And bird trill fills the dawn

When landscapes white and silver-blue

Dazzle with diamonds made of dew

And green in every sheen and hue

We’ll know winter is gone

When woodlands shed their hoary locks

And robins strut in yellow socks

And brooks curl around glossy rocks

And dandelions beam

When hearths are dark and cold and bare

When days are bright and warm and fair

And we feel younger than we were

In winter’s summer-dream

Then we will look back and recall

The sweet-spent pieces of it all

The way intricate shadows fall

From The Painter’s brush

How chubby juncos thrill us so

How chickadees flit to and fro

The hieroglyphics carved in snow

Plush, pillow-billowed hush

Cheeks glowing with wind-kissed remains

The lure of fluffy fields and lanes

White-stucco woods and windowpanes

Snow-angels on the lawn

A slower-savored cup of tea

With old poets for company

And as far as the eye can see

Time tucked in featherdown

Landscape scenes framed in frosted matte

Snowman, suave in a black top hat

Bird-feeder drama tit-for-tat

Nature’s pure innocence

Beneath our feet the creak of cold

Above us, vaults of snowflake-gold

And all around the boundless mold

Of ageless resplendence

The creek asleep beneath a quilt

Of sequins, stars and glitter-gilt

The way the wind chases the silk

Of a lost bridal veil

The spartan art of barren tree

Naked, yet cloaked in modesty

The way the Artist helps us see

Each beautiful detail

…a paradise of unrushed ink

Where poets dare to sit and think

Perched on an intangible brink

Of Poem not get penned

Rousing rush of adrenaline

*When blizzards snow us snugly in

With our beloved kith and kin

And ink and paper friend

Let’s try to not want what is not

Where time grants treasures soon forgot

Beneath tick-tock’s tittle and jot

Each little day is drawn

Till arbors drip with petal-plumes

Till flowers frill earth’s living rooms

And gardens bob with breeze-kissed blooms

Because winter is gone

© Janet Martin

*Jim is just leaving the yard and hoping to make it home safely

then that line in the poem will be complete

🙏💖

(He just pulled in!)

Psalm 147:15-18

He sends his command to the earth;

his word runs swiftly.

16He spreads the snow like wool

and scatters the frost like ashes.

17He hurls down his hail like pebbles.

Who can withstand his icy blast?

18He sends his word and melts them;

he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.

💓

As If...

As if somehow you owed us more

Than you've already given

Some dare to curse and shake a fist

At God of earth and heav'n

As if somehow we did not have

Our utmost need supplied;

Redemption from the curse of sin

Through pardon You provide

As if this world should reconcile

Our logic, some deny

Because of Love misunderstood

You, God of earth and sky

As if we didn't owe to You

All heart, soul, strength and mind

Some spend a lifetime looking for

Something they cannot find

© Janet Martin

John 3:16-18

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and onlye Son, 

that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, 

but to save the world through Him. 

18Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, 

but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,

 because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Never, For One Wayward Wink...

A special treat for you and me today!

Sunrise photo with a different skyline!

Jim (truckdriver-husband) sent this photo

 from somewhere in the very chill hills of

very Northern Ontario

(no phone reception when I tried to call and find out where)

(update: Schreiber, Ont.)

'Surely the morning gold and pink

Is the hem of His gown'

 Because I have yet to walk the mile

of those who mourn the loss of a parent, sibling,

son, daughter, spouse, etc. I cannot pen

the places that those losses must lead Love through

and I do not pretend to know what they know

but I can imagine, 

and hurt

and pray

and weep with those who weep

and plead to God 

to

bless those who mourn (Matt.5:4)

💔

What comfort to know

that never for a single, wayward wink

does The Lord, our Shepherd 

shift His gaze from His beloved Sheep...

🙏

Between miles yet to live and love

And miles that we have trod

Pray, where we are we find enough

In the kind love of God

Through wildernesses of today

Of mortal want and woe

Our Sovereign God still leads the way

Love's manna falls like snow

Enough, always enough, to feed

The cries of you and I

Exactly when, how much we need

His mercy will supply

The Pillar of His Promises

Will never shift or fade

But leads in paths of righteousness

In this day He has made

Toward the Promised Land we face

And run life’s race with joy

And lean on Him and trust His grace

That nothing can destroy

For, never for one wayward wink

Does He forsake His own

Surely the morning gold and pink

Is the hem of His gown

Surely goodness and mercy shall

Follow us all our days

Until forever we will dwell

In the house of His praise

© Janet Martin

 Familiar and forever precious...

Psalm 23 KJV

 The Lord is my shepherd; 

I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

 he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul:

 he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

 I will fear no evil: 

for thou art with me; 

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

 thou anointest my head with oil; 

my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: 

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Take My Hand and Lead Me

Translation below...

Translation of lyrics...

So take my hands

So nimm denn meine Hände

and lead me

Und führe mich

Until my happy end

Bis an mein selig Ende

And forever.

Und ewiglich.

I don't like to go alone

Ich mag allein nicht gehen,

Not a step;

Nicht einen Schritt;

where you will go and stand

Wo du wirst gehn und stehen,

Then take me with you.

Da nimm mich mit.

wrapped in our mercy

In dein Erbarmen hülle

my weak heart

Mein schwaches Herz

And do it completely still

Und mach es gänzlich stille

In joy and pain;

In Freud und Schmerz;

Let rest at your feet

Laß ruhn zu deinen Füßen

your poor child;

Dein armes Kind;

It wants to close its eyes

Es will die Augen schließen

And believe blindly.

Und glauben blind.

Even if I don't feel anything

Wenn ich auch gleich nichts fühle

of your power

Von deiner Macht,

You lead me to my goal

Du führst mich doch zum Ziele,

Even through the night.

Auch durch die Nacht.

So take my hands

So nimm denn meine Hände

and lead me

Und führe mich

Until my happy end

Bis an mein selig Ende

And forever.

Und ewiglich.

With Constant Reminders of Why

We know, sooner or later it will .

We just don't know when.

but Death serves constant reminders of its Certainty

Therefore when it comes for you or I

not one of us can say

'I didn't think you would!'

Our church-family is heartbroken 

as we mourn the loss of a dear 55 year old 'brother'. 💔

Psalm 34:18

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed/contrite in spirit.

We do not mourn without comfort or hope. 

Hallelujah!

Suddenly I hear my Grandma's voice reminding me lovingly always to remember

'the old will die but the young can die'

and to make the sacred soul-preparations 

that after death cannot be made!

He remembered!

I have remembered.

Have you remembered?!

I am old enough to have seen the truth of her caution over and over!

I want to live life to the full

but never for a moment forget

the nearness of Death

making sacred every single, gifted breath!

This is a secular song but its message bears repeating

Esp. now, it seems

We Should Only Have Time For Love-Don Williams

I want to live life to the full

Where its archrival, death

Hastens the inevitable

With every gifted breath

I want to make the most of Now

To tune its push and pull

With intent not to miss the wow

That makes it wonder-full

I want to be committed to

The season I am in

Always humbly aware of Who

Allots its woven skin

I want to wear the kind of face

That time cannot defile

To speak in tongues of every race

The language of a smile

I want to learn to bite my tongue

When spite's counterblows burn

I want to remember the young

-sters and how swift they learn

I want to often stand agape

By mercies great and small

By greeting’s glistening landscape

Where farewell’s shadows fall

I want to keep in careful check

The beckoning of want

For soon my dust-to-dust will deck

What none can see beyond

I want to navigate life’s curves

With reverent reply

For Death with constant rigor serves

Raw reminders of why

I want, above all else to hear

When my last breath is drawn

Faith's goal fulfilled by words so dear

Well done, My child, well done

© Janet Martin

His gift (not works) makes possible for all

Heaven's goal, if we repent of our sins and believe!

May this beautiful hymn below be each of our heart's joyful cry

as the sands of time expire...  

The Sands of Time Are Sinking

VERSE 1

The sands of time are sinking,

The dawn of Heaven breaks;

The summer morn I’ve sighed for,

The fair, sweet morn awakes;

Dark, dark hath been the midnight,

But dayspring is at hand,

And glory, glory dwelleth

In Immanuel’s land.

VERSE 2

The King there in His beauty,

Without a veil is seen;

It were a well spent journey,

Though sev’n deaths lay between;

The Lamb with His fair army

Doth on Mount Zion stand,

And glory, glory dwelleth

In Immanuel’s land.

VERSE 3

O Christ, He is the fountain,

The deep, deep well of love;

The streams on earth I’ve tasted,

More deep I’ll drink above;

There to an ocean fullness

His mercy doth expand,

And glory, glory dwelleth

In Immanuel’s land.

VERSE 4

With mercy and with judgment

My web of time He wove;

And always dews of sorrow

Were lustered with His love;

I’ll bless the hand that guided,

I’ll bless the heart that planned,

When throned where glory dwelleth

In Immanuel’s land.

VERSE 5

Oh! I am my Beloved’s

And my Beloved’s mine!

He brings a poor, vile sinner

Into His “house of wine;”

I stand upon His merit,

I know no other stand,

Not e’en where glory dwelleth

In Immanuel’s land.

VERSE 6

The bride eyes not her garments,

But her dear Bridegroom’s face;

I will not gaze at glory

But on my King of grace;

Not at the crown He giveth,

But on His pierced hand;

The Lamb is all the glory

Of Immanuel’s land.

DOWNLOAD LYRICS

Role Call or Perfectly Placed

Above all, our role in love is to trust and obey!

Trust and Obey Vagle Bros.

No confession of loving laud

However great or grand

Absolves obedience to God

The two go hand in hand

No matter who we are, my love

However great or small

No one is super-star enough

To disregard love’s call

True love is not proven in speech

But with meek reverence

Love is the action that will teach

Humble obedience

The role we all are called into

Begins at Calvary

Where love bears witness to One who

Taught through humility

Do not let love despair, dear one

His commands are not hard

When we keep our eyes fixed on

Love’s Leading Hands, nail-scarred

When we receive God's gift of grace

When hearts meeken in awe

How sacred is our perfect place

As love fulfills God’s law

© Janet Martin

Food for Thought;

In today's churches

Are there too many silent men because

there are too many speaking women

or

are there too many speaking women because

there are too many silent men?

Did feminism progress in the church because

good women stepped in where good men did not

or did good men step aside/get 'nudged' aside

 in the order of their God-ordained rank

when women whose intentions were for good

stepped out of their God-ordained order?

1 Cor.11

1 Cor.14:26-39

1 Tim.2

Male or female, we have equal value in the eyes of God

 but we have very sacred and differing roles!

Titus 2:1-8

You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.

 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect,

 self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live,

 not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.

 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 

5 to be self-controlled and pure,

 to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, 

so that no one will malign the word of God.

6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 

7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good.

 In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 

8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, 

so that those who oppose you may be ashamed 

because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Romans 8:7

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God;

 for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

John 14:23-24

Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word;

 and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; 

and the word which you hear is not Mine 

but the Father's who sent Me.

Until Open Doors Close...

Still struggling to feel top-notch

but still, so much to delight in!

Thankfulness brings to simple things a wellspring of delight...

A few delights from yesterday and today.

Keepsake kindnesses ...

Bushes a-bloom with birdies

Just chillin' whilst snoozin' in the sunshine

Compromises...

I'm thankful that, in spite of strife this life runs rife with cheer

Love’s font consoles and fills want’s holes with goals beyond this world

It authors hope and helps us cope with words like ‘nope’ and ‘fear’

Love snuffs the noise of bluff's/stuff's decoys with joy’s glad hymns unfurled

Thankfulness brings to simple things a wellspring of delight

The pleasure of the treasure of the measure of God's grace

Always enough, no matter what, Love fits us for the fight

And turns our eyes toward a Prize beyond the whys we face

I’m thankful for the open door that each new morning metes

Where faith is wrought and trust is taught by what we cannot see

But surely know, come high or low, no want or woe defeats

The kindness of the Giver’s/Father’s love, enough eternally

How lovely Is the gift of This, His mercy new each morn

A fount that spills four-season-thrills as hills and hollows brim

With flawless laud to gracious God where awed hearts, weary-worn

Join nature’s throng in joyful song; all praise belongs to Him

This blunder-full, heave-ho, push-pull is wonder-full because

We recognize with each sunrise grace undisguised; it flows

In molten ink across earth’s brink in pink and gold applause

To cheer us on from dawn to dawn until open doors close

© Janet Martin

1 Chronicles 16:34 (ESV)

Oh give thanks to the LORD, 

for He is good;

 for His steadfast love endures forever!

Love's Crown

This morning's love-letter from God was gold-gilt-etched 💗💖

Happy Valentine's Day!

For a beautiful love story click this link

to todays Daily Bread Devotion

(I just learned what an octogenarian is!)

Many waters cannot quench love.

Song of Songs 8:7

Oh-ho this hard      -knock, soft-kiss,

 flying-falling dosey-doe... Oh-    ho  this happy, hurting holding on 

and letting go...Oh-ho this yearning-learning-earning wisdom starred and scarred...

No easy street to crown the ups and downs on love’s postcard...Oh-ho this giving-taking, 

caring-sharing quite-a-fight... Oh-ho this multitude of sorrows to sweeten delight... Oh-ho,

 the humble joy of feeling like our hearts could burst... Becomes the Prize that crowns

 love’s sacrifice of others first... Oh-ho, we are so startled by how much 

true love can hurt... Oh-ho, the heart holds artwork made 

of diamonds set in dirt... Oh-ho, what we know 

about love leaves us both vexed 

      and awed... At ups and

 downs boundlessly

crowned with

the kind 

love of 

God

<3

© Janet Martin

(or traditional stanza form)

Oh-ho this hard-knock, soft-kiss, flying-falling dosey-doe

Oh-ho this happy, hurting holding on and letting go

Oh-ho this yearning-learning-earning wisdom starred and scarred

No easy street to crown the ups and downs on love’s postcard

Oh-ho this giving-taking, caring-sharing quite-a-fight

Oh-ho this multitude of sorrows to sweeten delight

Oh-ho, the humble joy of feeling like our hearts could burst

Becomes the Prize that crowns love’s sacrifice of others first

Oh-ho, we are so startled by how much true love can hurt

Oh-ho, the heart holds artwork made of diamonds set in dirt

Oh-ho, what we know about love leaves us both vexed and awed

At ups and downs boundlessly crowned with the kind love of God

© Janet Martin

Or this...

Oh-ho this hard-knock, 

soft-kiss, 

flying-falling 

dosey-doe

Oh-ho this happy, 

hurting 

holding on 

and letting go

Oh-ho this yearning-

learning-

earning wisdom 

starred and scarred

No easy street 

to crown 

the ups and downs 

on love’s postcard

Oh-ho this giving-taking,

caring-sharing 

quite-a-fight

Oh-ho this multitude 

of sorrows 

to sweeten 

delight

Oh-ho, the humble joy 

of feeling 

like our hearts 

could burst

Becomes the Prize 

that crowns 

love’s sacrifice 

of others first

Oh-ho, we are so startled 

by how much 

true love 

can hurt

Oh-ho, the heart 

holds artwork 

made of diamonds 

set in dirt

Oh-ho, what we know 

about love 

leaves us 

both vexed 

and awed

At ups and downs 

boundlessly crowned 

with the kind 

love of God

© Janet Martin