Here-Hope, Joy and Peace

This morning I received a card and letter from my cousin's family,

(Wayne and Sherri) who have been going through a deep and ongoing 

valley of trial for many years. (Wayne has MS, diagnosed after an accident

leading to the loss of his leg in 2012)

He is a dad of four children.

 He is now 49 years old.

The letter is a profound picture of refined faith and constant surrender

as they adapt to life with their dearly beloved

husband and dad in a long-term care facility,

and the heart-wrenching hurdles of love!!

Sherri closes the letter with words that bravely allow us

 a glimpse into a world of broken dreams

held fast by resolution for continued trust...

Below's excerpt shared with permission from Sherri💝🙏

As I pondered the words we use so freely, especially at Christmas;

words like hope, joy and peace I was impacted by how, without the weathered landscape of 

hardship those words would hold no special meaning.

How life's disappointments, sorrows and storms make sacred and dear

these precious words possible by the grace of God; Hope, joy and peace!

Wayne and Sherri's family has taken up permanent residence in my prayers for 

strength for their days and a sense of Immanuel in their lives!

...as this poem was penned  I couldn't help but cry as she shared 

a peek into their world with these words...

'I tell you these things not to gain attention or pity for myself,

but to give you a glimpse into our everyday life'.

She also shared utter gratefulness for God's faithful provision

through His followers and so many people who help!!

How hopeless our 'everyday life' would often be

without the comfort and counsel of God's word

and the company and friendships of his family here on earth!

***

Here oft joy bears bitter splendor ‘neath the weight of sorrow’s cross

Here oft hope groans with surrender on the testing grounds of loss

Here oft perfect peace is baffled by the brokenness we see

In the valley of the shadow of death’s sacred certainty

Here the devil would defeat us as we press toward The Prize

But for God’s Word; here He meets us to attend to longing’s cries

Here He reaches through the darkness with an Everlasting Light

Softens the heart’s would-be hardness with fresh courage for the fight

Here the fainting soul is strengthened as we feast on Living Bread

Here His outstretched arm is lengthened as His precious child is fed

Here His awesome power surges, chides man’s motives, prone to pride

Promise after promise purges pleas where need and want confide

Here He shows us how to follow when the way we cannot see

How to nestle in the hollow of hands scarred at Calvary

Here He lifts us from the mire of fear, dread, doubt and despair

Here He purifies desires that would hinder our prayer

Here the hope of nations rallies soldiers of the cross of Christ 

Here He guides us through the valleys where idols are sacrificed 

Here, while the world frowns and borrows trouble with unceasing noise

Here His whisper crowns our sorrows with hope's everlasting joys    

Here faith’s flick’ring candle steadies, here spent spirits are renewed

Here life’s gracious Giver readies us with awe-struck gratitude

Where joy, hope and peace must weather what yet waits, Trust humbly hails

God’s goodness; His mercy tethers us to love that never fails

© Janet Martin

...with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; 

His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:12

As we are drawn to the wonder of manger 

may we simultaneously be drawn to the triumph at the cross!

Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross

Near to the Heart of God

Miracle-worker

As I prayed about the various uncertainties that life runs rife with

no matter who or where we are, my prayer became a plea

for God to work a miracle of steadfast trust/faith in me.

Many today are hoping for a weather-miracle!!

This morning's weather headlines are no joke,

and we should pay attention!

God's Word is full of warnings too

and we should pay attention!

It is hard to hear Him, isn't it,

without the comfort and caution of His Word in our hearts

to guide, cheer and equip us for the fight of faith!

May the miracle of trust in God's unfailing promises

transform our outlook and attitude!

In all things giving thanks with awed sincerity

Where the framework of circumstance is but the part we see

Oh, pray that in the Must of dust-to-dust’s ado

That God would work a miracle of trust in me and you

With vision undeterred, not to be ruled by fear

But through the power of His Word, to feel God’s presence near

Then, with hope’s strength renewed, oh pray for the increase

Of miracles of gratitude to instill joy and peace

© Janet Martin

2 Cor.4:18

...while we do not look at the things which are seen,

 but at the things which are not seen. 

For the things which are seen are temporary, 

but the things which are not seen are eternal.

O, come All Ye Faithful-Don Williams

Life's Best Gifts...

Today was bittersweet; the last day for one of the tots in my childcare

because he is going to be a big brother soon!

But oh, what a day it was!

... a medley of messes and music!

Beginning with a most spectacular unveiling...

...and as much as I miss the tots when they leave,

 I miss their moms just as much (if not more)!

because they've become dear friends forever!

Life’s best gifts do not fit inside a box

But often take us by tender surprise

As what appears quite commonplace unlocks

A vault of wealth dressed in darling disguise

Of innocence of little girls and boys

Reminding us of childhood’s purest joys

Of happiness gift-wrapped in mess and noise

And beauty we don’t always recognize

…until the past claims its inherent due

With age old ways that stun us constantly

Exchanging what we are accustomed to

For something new to startle you and me

Reminding us to live-laugh-love-and-pray

To take the time to treasure each today

Because The Present is a gift; its tray

Laden without tomorrow’s guarantee

The gifts that fit in boxes bring us cheer

And let a loved one know that they are prized

But the gifts that we hold forever dear

Are often hug and smile and teacup-sized

As hours like flower gardens unfold

Lavish extravagance of moment-gold

Granting gifts that only the heart can hold

With what is often commonplace-disguised

We often wonder at the way time flies

Like feet wearing holes through new pairs of socks

The thunder of What Was mingles with sighs

Of thankfulness for what today unlocks

In skylines running rife with life to seize

Before morn’s frame is filled with memories

Where sooner or later each heart agrees

Life’s best gifts do not fit inside a box

The gifts we cherish most are works of art

Forged into friendships from life’s highs and lows

The keepsakes that we cradle in the heart

Are love’s most fond and favored mementos

Of what at first glance may seem like not much

Just work and play and hope and pray and such

Until we slow enough to taste and touch

Too many gifts to count, that grace bestows

© Janet Martin

Of what at first glance may seem like not much

Just work and play and hope and pray and such...

below, in the summer, her favorite snack is popsicles!

in the winter I think her favorite snack is icicles😍

Every good and perfect gift is from above...

James 1:17

Like Velvet Tulle

Below is a paragraph from the study page for the leaders

of last Sunday's Sunday School lesson...

sound encouragement/wisdom to live by

as we dwell on the theme of faithfulness!

'We can’t undo the past, but we can be decisively committed to the next step, 

the next moment, and the next opportunity.

What if you committed to faithfulness one day at a time?

 And what if your faithfulness marked the people around you in significant ways? 

Then I would imagine that your faithfulness 

will lead to future opportunities for greater influence.

Don’t waste today.

Be faithful to your purpose 

to live as the salt of the earth 

and the light of the world.

And God will use you today and, Lord willing, 

multiply your efforts and opportunities tomorrow.' -The Gospel Project

Since last Thursday our area is an ice-and-snow castle!!

Like velvet tulle the crepuscule of night dissolves; it falls

Like paper from a gift that lifts the darkness from earth’s halls

Like whispers of mercy and love brushing shadows awry

Like a fresh sheet beneath our feet that reaches to the sky

Like smiles across the miles that toss barges of want and need

Like little boats or music notes that bob and press and plead

Like melodies in symphonies where seasons rise and fall

Like music bars or shooting stars or like a madrigal

To fill that cast of Almost Past with what none should ignore

Today; the place where by God’s grace it spills from shore to shore

To set the stage, where age to age the fruit of choice becomes

At that last breath the life and death of very sacred sums

When, like soft tulle the crepuscule of time and grace will fade

Like mist upon the Sealed Bygone of choices we have made

© Janet Martin

Psalm 51:15-17

O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
16For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.

Let's Talk Today About Good News

Some Good News songs and a poem to kick off the week leading to

The manger, the cross and the empty tomb!

Leading us from despair to hope,

from darkness to Light

from hell to Heaven!

 Noel, Noel-(2022 remake)

Agnus Dei-Michael Smith

 

God Made Low

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

John 1:4

Note of 'non-apology'!: 

it was really hard to reign in the Good News surge of pure joy!💖🙏

Let’s talk today about the things that bring us hope and joy

The song the angels sang still rings with truth none can destroy

Where unto us was born that day, a Saviour, Christ the Lord

And nothing in the world can sway the soundness of God’s Word

And nothing can annul the gift that gladdens death’s dark toll

Time cannot change nor tempest shift the anchor of the soul

Nor dim the Light of men that darkness cannot overcome

In Him is life and that life is the Rock of Christendom

The breath of the believer and the faith that makes us whole

The bane of the deceiver and the beauty of love's goal

The Good News of salvation is greater than headline gloom

The Author of creation did not leave us in sin’s doom

But gave His Son to save us from a debt we could not pay

The precious blood of Jesus Christ washes our guilt away

And cleanses us from all unrighteousness when we confess

God fits us for faith’s fight with his abiding promises

He leads us not into temptation but delivers us

From awful condemnation for all those in Christ Jesus

Let’s walk the Way He taught, faith’s humble devotion to prove

Let’s talk today about God and His everlasting love

Let’s count with grateful gladness all the blessings grace bestows

And counter this world’s madness full of wolves dressed in sheep’s clothes

Wise in their own eyes they deny the cross that faith must bear

And reason truth into a lie and pride into a prayer

Without repentance and belief; oh, pray they see the Light

And weep because  joy crowns our grief, for He gave us the right

To become His dear children, if we believe in His name

No longer slaves of Satan but heirs of Christ's glorious claim

Thus faith abounds with hope and joy, through the power of He

Whose Spirit, grace and truth’s alloy, secures death’s victory

Let’s talk about Emmanuel; God with us constantly

His goodness and mercy the wellspring of eternity

His perfect peace to all whose minds and hearts are stayed on Him

Let’s talk about the Good News and drink from fountains that brim

With glad tidings that bad news cannot keep from coming true

Let’s talk about God’s love and choose to love Him through and through

Because no matter what betide, God works for our good

He knows our need and will provide, though oft misunderstood

Because of what faith’s testing brings while trouble has its day

Ah, let’s talk about heav’nly things that never fade away

© Janet Martin

Prepare Him Room

A Priceless Presence...

What waits today to spill and fill its shell

We cannot see...

But He who feeds the birds knows it full-well

He cares for you and me

Savior, Lead Me

God is our refuge and strength, 

a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1

Lord, take the lead, our need is great and we are prone to dread

Help us to trust, not be afraid; you know what lies ahead

Draw nearer than the fears that be, sustain us through Your Word

Through eyes of faith help us to see Your Presence undergird

Lord, take our hands, You love us so and know that we are dust

By Your command cast out the foe that heckles hope and trust

And help us humbly fix our gaze on Your unfailing care

Fill our hearts with holy praise and fully yielded prayer

Lord, take us not from our cross but let the cross endear

The bond of fellowship that draws Your flawless favors near

To cheer us on toward the joy this world cannot afford

Lead us with grace and truth’s alloy into Your Presence, Lord

© Janet Martin

December Doggerel

A few snared mementos that helped to inspire today's poem...

The deep of dark dawns early, drawn across dusk’s stark tableau

It nestles over daybreak like a slowly waning throw

Unveiling sweet December’s day, a gift of old made new

Wrapped in thin scarves of blush and gray and frosty baby blue

It weaves its welkin ribbons though trees doffed of leafy sigh

And lavishes the landscape with the color of the sky

It revels in the frigid thrill of tinsel countryside

It dazzles us where diamonds spill to leave us starry eyed

...and mesmerized, where nature’s never-ceasing hallelu

Leave us breathless with wonder at what only God can do

His beauty breaks all barriers to kindle humble awe

On hearths of heart and soul as we behold time’s seasoned law

…and thank God for tea-kettles pouring fresh-steeped luxury

For hats, mittens and slippers, for fat books of poetry

For home-sweet home, a poem that transcends the scope of ink

For children filling sleds with laughter and cheeks rosy pink

For pots of hot and hearty soup for hungry girl and boy

For Christmas carols tuning lips with glad tidings of joy

For stars that fall and frill each sprig with sparkle-dust run wild

For toil that turns to worship as we ponder the Christ-child

There's something so nostalgic in the fluff of fresh snowfalls  

Something still so old-fashioned in the way it decks earth's halls

Reminding us that, though so much in this old world seems strange

Beneath the kind Creator's touch still much will never change 

December is the perfect way to close another year

A white rose on a volume of echoes of smile and tear

Cacophony of blue jay scolding nuthatch and junco

A symphony of footsteps muffled by fresh-fallen snow

© Janet Martin

The Joyous Bells of Poem-time

 

Well, what have we to lose, my dear

Save, a silver shimmer of time

To pause upon parchment veneer

And drink a bit of ink-spun rhyme

And then to find within the swell

Of consonant and vowel lease

Something akin to Yuletide’s bell

Ringing with hope and joy and peace

Well, what have we to gain, my friend

To tame time’s unrelenting zeal

Enough to feel the warp and wend

Of pirouettes in pink and teal

But a fine merge with ink and page

And a renewed awareness of

What matters most from age to age

As would-be longing turns to love

Well, what have we in common but

The constant Thus of live and learn

Where in this grin-and-groan gamut

Wisdom is a crown we must earn

And oft, amidst hard knocks and such

We turn to seek the soft reply

Where once a bard took time to touch

The page with ink wrung from a sigh

Well, what have we to do but look

And listen where lost worlds/words live on

Between the covers of a book

Waiting for us to hap upon

Then, what have we to lose my dear

Save minutes that clock towers chime

While we dance to the songs we hear

In joyous bells of Poem-time

© Janet Martin