Praise God Forever (for His Word)

Psalm 119 is a glorious collection of reflection

on the beauty and authority of God's Word

(surely the poorest in all the world are those without

the wealth of God's word hidden in their hearts

to both console and convict!)

 

This poem was also somewhat miserably and reluctantly inspired

by the first two lines, but, lest we becomes victims of defeat 

through the lies of the deceiver we plead God's forgiveness,

trust His Word and press on!

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just 

to forgive us our sins, 

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

For the times when our stumbles humble us unpleasantly

For days we dread and ways we tread, then regret utterly

For guidance and instruction for the times that we are in

For truth to thwart deception and convict us of our sin

For the greatest love story that mankind has ever heard

To give God all the glory, praise His name, we have His word

For battles with discouragement, worriment, and despair

For eagle-wings of hope, for empowerment in our prayer

For truth, absolute truth, no matter what naysayers tout

For joy unspeakable and for dismal duels with doubt

For Light unto our path to keep faith’s focus undeterred

For reminders of how much God loves us, we have His word

For peace that passes understanding in a world of strife

For earnest exhortation for this very sacred life

For preaching and for teaching, for food for undying souls

For God’s tangible presence, for full armor without holes

For the wondrous depiction of the cross, to keep hearts stirred

To count this world but loss, for this, praise God, we have His Word

For training up a child in the right way that they should go

For wisdom undefiled where man's logic shifts to and fro

For strength to fight the good fight till we lay these bodies down

And obtain pardon's prize of an incorruptible crown

For the constant awareness of sin's debt that was transferred

And suffered by the son of God; for this we have His Word

For fellowship with God until we see Him face to face

For thought, speechlessly awed as we contemplate Mercy’s grace

For company of a great cloud of faithful witnesses

For warning to the proud and for enduring promises

For love’s law of sweetest delight, lest judgement becomes blurred

Until faith becomes sight, oh, praise His name, we have God’s Word

For history and prophecy, for everything we need

For the supreme authority of love and judgment's creed 

For kindness and compassion, for correction and reproof

For order for the decency of both elder and youth

For health and wealth and wonder to comfort and undergird

For this and so much more, praise God forever, for His Word 

© Janet Martin

The Word of God

So That We Are Without Excuse

1 Tim.4:12-16 (NKJV)

12 Let no one [a]despise your youth, but be an example to the believers

 in word, in conduct, in love, [b]in spirit, in faith, in purity. 

13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to [c]doctrine. 

14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, 

which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 

15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, 

that your progress may be evident to all. 

16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. 

Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself 

and those who hear you.

Today's Daily Bread Devotion Scripture reading (posted above)

  first laid the groundwork for today's poem,

(click link for beautiful encouragement

to persevere faithfully, right where we are)

...then I looked up to see a burst of pink permeating the atmosphere

 ...as I gazed I was smitten with this passage in Romans 1:18-20

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven 

against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, 

who [d]suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 

19 because what may be known of God is [e]manifest [f]in them, 

for God has shown it to them. 

20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen,

 being understood by the things that are made,

 even His eternal power and [g]Godhead, 

so that they are without excuse,...

He bestows to the heavens, rose and periwinkle hues

He fills them with splendor no one can ignore or refuse

He imbues earth and sky and sea with wonder’s pedestal

So that His divine nature will be evident to all

Since the creation of the world God’s hidden attributes

Are clearly seen and understood; we are without excuse

He stirs within the human breast, an urge to satisfy

Where none but He can fill the quest that tests longing’s reply

Though much will try to take His place, where the devil deceives

His peace, his hope, His joy, His grace only true faith receives

Where His goodness, mercy and love abound to one and all

Both on the good and evil the sun shines and rain drops fall

Ho, everyone that thirsts, come and drink where God’s grace runs rife

And gives us Living Water from a blood-bought Fount of life

Call upon Him while He is near, while He may yet be found

Seek Him with reverential fear (we tread on holy ground)

Beneath majestic heavens, while creation’s creatures groan

Until all will behold Him seated on His glorious throne

His love decreed that none should miss faith’s opportunity

So He instilled in what He made, His divine deity

So that we are without excuse; and no one is exempt

Oh, pray we do not look on Him with unbelief’s contempt

But bow the head and bend the knee before death’s final toll

When everyone will look upon the Saviour of the Soul

© Janet Martin

Is There Room in Your Heart?

Tis The Season

After the laughter and excitement of today's merry troops vacated the kitchen

I did too, to feel the powder-blue twilight tucking in the edges of the earth...

Tis the season of powder-blue twilight

Lowered like soft flannel over earth’s sills

Tis the season of pink-ribboned skylines

Tossing mauve ambience over stark hills

Tis the season of powder-blue twilight

Lowered like soft flannel over earth’s sills

Tis the season of pink-ribboned skylines

Tossing mauve ambience over stark hills

Tis the season of ‘fresh from the oven’

For cookie lovin’ kids like you and me

Tis the season of joy mixed with grievin’

For faces missin’ where they used to be

Tis the season of easin’ our hurry

For the fine reason of tasting today

Tis the season of fluffy, white flurry

Decking vast vistas once somber and gray

Tis the season of love turned to givin’

As thoughts turn Bethlehem-ward once again

As we reflect on a babe sent from Heaven

To be the Savior of the world. Amen

Tis the season when we start to ponder

What really matters in Bygone’s increase

Tis the season of pure, childlike wonder

As we consider hope, love, joy and peace

Tis the season of evergreen spires

Holly and mistletoe, silver and gold

Of motley, merry, bundled angel choirs

Singing the carols that never grow old

Tis the season of green and red buttons

On sugar snowmen and gingerbread duds

This the season of turkey and stuffin’

Poppin’ our buttons with gravy and spuds

Tis the season of laughter’s sweet gladness

Where sadness makes Christmas cheer sacred, oh

Tis the season of merchandise madness

Turned into gifts that say ‘I love you so’

Tis the season of tender surrender

As the last month of another year pours

Through toasts and tributes and winter’s first splendor

Powder-blue twilights on flannel white shores

© Janet Martin

Establishing Familiarity (in a world of change)

Happy, happy December!

...and below a few photos of inspiration for today's poem!

the joy of small child's curiosity...

(and his delight at his 'baby-in-basket'

just like yesterday's Baby-in-a-basket'💗💝)

Tried and true recipes and the surprise

Of trying something new and loving it...

(I wish I had the ingred. on hand for the mango salsa!

Some other time!

And when we wake, ah bliss, fresh-brewed coffee...

The Word of God, steadfast and absolute...

Things do not stay the way they used to be

Progress presses the old ways to adapt

And change; estranged familiarity

Can wake wishes for seasons, echo-wrapped

Thus, bidding us to seek with meeker awe

The things that are the way they used to be

The unthwartable ilk of nature’s law

The joy of small child’s curiosity

The thrill as winter-heavens spills white stars

The hope that every Christmas is about

The happiness of refilled canning jars

The yard where puppies romp and children shout

The farmer that still whistles as he works

The gardener as happy as can be

Where despite sweat and toil, Eden still lurks

In every petalled plume and bird and tree

The unrivaled wonder in new-born babe

The tiring, tender toll of parenthood

Fond memories that we would never trade

The unshakeable truth that God is good

Tried and true recipes and the surprise

Of trying something new and loving it

The art of learning, (even though time flies)

To slow our hurried steps and sit a bit 

The black and white beauty of snowy nights

The beckoning warm welcome of sweet home

The comfort of tea-book-slipper delights

The courage to bare hearts into a poem

The option to use ink, paper and pen

The sentimental sweetness in farewells

We know will turn into hello again

Either on earth or in yon citadels

The friendliness of flowers, every one

A perfectly profound intricacy

A well-earned rest by zest of labor won

And when we wake, ah bliss, fresh-brewed coffee

The Word of God, steadfast and absolute

Regardless of post-modern heresy

The evidence science cannot refute

I AM, who WAS, IS and ALWAYS WILL BE

Music, a foretaste of eternity

When worship’s melodies will never cease

The heavens declaring God’s majesty

In every wondrous welkin-masterpiece

The momentum of moments meting change

Where so much is not like it used to be

Lavishes us with what none can estrange

Establishing familiarity

© Janet Martin

To Dear November, a Fond Farewell

Another blip aka November slips through our fingers...

fading into a wild flurry of white tonight...

To purple shadows planted on dusk’s barren, burnished path

To sudden snow globe afternoons rekindling Christmas thrill

To fall and winter’s duels in the muted aftermath

Of leaf song winnowed from woodlands now dark and stark and still

To gleaming furrows turned and tucked like umber counterpanes

To harvest-hymn hiatus and to skies that steal the show

To echo-tangos tugging at heartstrings taut/fraught with refrains

Of love, laughter and longing’s ever learning to let go

To winds that wander through a world of golden tapers snuffed

To squash and pumpkin lanterns gleaned and baked and steamed and fried

To brooding tableaus transformed by a big white duvet, fluffed

Until it spills soft feathers over town and countryside

To joy, because of juncos, to the blue jays’ raucous cries

To winter’s feathered friends returned like long lost family

To reveling in the raw agony of time’s demise

To making the most of what all too soon is history

To dear November’s dying embers on a dimming grate

To nature’s somber sweetness after autumn’s robe is rent

I pen this poem as I linger at a phantom gate

To bid a fond farewell and wonder where, oh, where you went

(Ah yes, to hugs and kisses, too many to count, I know

To happiness because it was enough to be alive

To thankfulness to God from whom each season’s blessings flow

Through outstretched touch and taste and such, into Bygone’s archive)

© Janet Martin

And some precious last-day-of-November memories...

...and the world that had returned to green, gray and brown 

after Old Man Winter's mid November bumble, 

when he tumbled out of bed too soon,

will be a white winter wonderland come December!

Good-night and see you in December💖🙏

Priceless Exceeding Abundance

So many needs weighed on my heart this morning as I thought of so many who are troubled,

so many suffering in war torn countries around the world, 

so many suffering close to home due to sickness, injuries in accidents 

and hardships due to broken relationships, hardships caused by inflation 

the fragility of the so-called freedom and peace in countries whose leaders

have turned away from God, and the list goes on...

But it is not a hopeless case. 

Quite the opposite. 

We pray to One who is able to do 

'exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, 

according to the power that works in us. 

Unto Him be glory in the church by Jesus throughout all ages, 

world without end, 

amen. 

Eph.3:20-21

Above All-Michael W. Smith

The Lord appoints our place

His love anoints our cares

And by the riches of His grace

God’s mercy hears our prayers

His measure of reply

Exceeds abundantly

The want and wish of you and I

On meek and bended knee

Though trial rends faith's glove

May faith, faith’s test transcend

Grounded and rooted in the love

Thought cannot comprehend

With lowliness of heart

(His Spirit’s dwelling place)

May we endeavor to impart

The riches of God’s grace

…so that we may be filled

With the fulness of He

Who helps us, through what He has willed

To proclaim His glory

© Janet Martin

“For Thine is the kingdom, 

and the power, 

and the glory,

forever. 

Amen” 

(KJV—Matt. 6:9-13)

Thankfulness in Action

These tots are giving their pets breakfast!

God bless everyone who gives today on what has been dubbed Giving Tuesday!

God bless everyone who gives, no matter what day it is!

Many organizations have committed to doubling the amount of each gift/donation today,

but, as we pray for each need we give toward

 we know in God's hands the increase of the gift

is incomprehensible!!

For more scripture and thoughts on giving see Friday's post! Good, Better, Best

Matt.25:34-40

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Thankfulness is not uttered by the voice of noisy word

But by language of loving kindness, it is seen and heard

Love’s proof unfurls a banner by the speech of how we live

By who we try to honor as we humbly help and give

How holy is the quickened toll that draws souls back to He

Who is still in perfect control with all authority

In spite of what may seem to be a war twixt need and greed

Between excess and poverty, laxness and earnest heed

We who profess to love God are His earthly feet and hands

Kindness is a love-language that no one misunderstands

Love, above and beyond the call of duty’s sorry rod

Delights in the excitement of giving glory to God

© Janet Martin

Happy Daily Delighting!!

2 Cor.9:6-9

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, 

and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 

7Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, 

not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.a 

8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, 

so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, 

you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written:

“He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor;

His righteousness endures forever.”b

Hope, No Greater Joy Endearing...Celebrating Hope on the first week of Advent

Is there anything better to celebrate than hope?!!

So it begins...the celebration of the Believer's hope!

The first two lines of this poem was written yesterday morning before church

the next 2 stanzas this morning before hosting a tea-for-two-friends party, then

I worked at it again before a dentist appointment,

finally finishing it while supper is cooking!

...and what is supper you ask?

Hamburger Stew!

This poem was

inspired by Ephesians 2 and 

Titus 2:11-14

11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 

12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, 

and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—

the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 

14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness

 and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, 

eager to do what is good.

Hope Has a Name

Once we were aliens and strangers without hope and without God

But we who once were so far off have been brought near by the blood

Of Christ Jesus. Raised to newness, we who were dead in our sins

Unaware until he saved us, of the hope where life begins

Praise the precious name of Jesus. He, who died in our place

So that He might show us the exceeding riches of God’s grace

For His grace that brings salvation has appeared to one and all

Bringing to mankind redemption from the curse after The Fall

Gone, the veil of separation; He himself is our peace

There is now no condemnation to all who trust and believe

In the Promise that releases us from judgement’s damning rod

Through the precious blood of Jesus, He gives us access to God

Hope, what sacred consolation where the dread of death would reign

Where instead of peace and pardon a barrier would remain

Hope, no greater joy endearing the sweet nearing we applaud

While we wait for the appearing of the glory of our God

© Janet Martin