Faith-forge...

This poem is inspired in part by a few stories I recently read or am reading...

the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and now, Moses!!

Also, the story of George Mueller

(the excerpt below esp.)

Heb.12:1

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

 let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,

 and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

The beautiful 'cloud of faithful witnesses' that encompass us

 challenge, inspire and encourage

 the ongoing stories of our own lives/faith still being written!

Take heart, fellow-friend!

Stories of faithfulness cannot be written in a hurry!

I began this poem yesterday morning, but it was not a poem

that could be quickly spilled....then tot-care gobbled up the day!

Last night my energy and concentration tank was so completely depleted

to the point of feeling like I was getting sick (but a good night's sleep resolved)

so this is yesterday and today's poem!

Below: a Celebrate-the-Very-Brief-Splash-of-Sunshine-with-a-Hot Chocolate-'Picnic'!

The answers that we seek in our hurry oft seem slow

When faith’s posture is weak, not meek but impatient to know

Doubt and desire wrestle as God tests love’s utmost part

(To be His chosen vessel is not for the faint of heart)

The high call of surrender grants no accolades unearned

Faith’s Author and Perfecter leaves no stumbling block unturned

But moves in ways contrary to sight’s acumen and whim

God’s rebuke necessary to expose wants not of Him

Encompassed by a cloud of witnesses, faith’s legions shine

As God fulfilled/revealed His promises and purposes divine

While waiting-seasons refined trust and taught them to endure

And be obedient because God’s Word is just and pure/sure

What sometimes seems like pleas ignored or forgotten by God

Or futile ‘waiting on the Lord,’ is oft discipline’s rod

To dredge the depth of the heart’s measure where His Word should be

To test the timbre of the treasure only He can see

What masters of disaster mortal’s lack of patience proves

When we choose to move faster than God's higher way behooves

When foolishly we plunder gates still barred to our request

Blind to redemption’s wonder waiting to reveal His best

God's providence instilling/fulfilling holiness, makes no mistakes

He tugs at ties unwilling until pride's resistance breaks 

And probes the hold that still denies Supreme Authority

Until faith's utter boast replies 'not I, but Christ in me'  

© Janet Martin

2 Tim2:3

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

With Only One of Each of Us...

How grieved our Creator must be when we choose to bicker and bite

instead of lovingly forgiving each other like He lovingly forgives us!

After all, every single one of us is on our maiden voyage through life 

with so many mistakes made, to learn from...

and to top it all off there are no two of us exactly alike!!!

Unlike these birds who all sound and look exactly alike...

With only one of each of us and no two quite alike

It stirs in us the impetus to do the best we can

To honor He who drew in us His holy breath of life

Where there will never be another you or me again

With only one of each of us and no two quite the same

Is it then any wonder that we often disagree

But wouldn’t it be nice if we recalled from whence we came

Then strove to love because there is only one you and me

And no one else can take the place of only you or me

Where every single ‘us’ is originally designed

And no one else can be the person we were made to be

Now is that not reason enough to be loving and kind

…and just a bit more patient with one-only-you and-me

Where we are all on maiden voyages from here to There

With our one and only unique personality

And our One and Only Creator beyond compare

We all have this in common; He who makes us black and white

And numbers our days before one of them comes to be

He smiles with loving kindness; we are precious in His sight

For there will never, ever be another you or me

How often we could treat each other better than we do

And cherish one-and-only-me-and-you while we still can

Before it is too late because either first me or you

Will go the one-and-only way we go since time began 

© Janet Martin

Psalm 139:13-16

For You formed my inmost being;a

You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14I praise You,

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Marvelous are Your works,

and I know this very well.

15My frame was not hidden from You

when I was made in secret,

when I was woven together

in the depths of the earth.

16Your eyes saw my unformed body;

all my days were written in Your book

and ordained for me

before one of them came to be.

To We, Still Growing Older

Accomplishment/achievement happens one challenge/step forward at a time!

 Sometimes challenges take years to fully complete,

 some even a lifetime(such as a life well lived). 

And because nothing ever stays the same for very long the challenge is constant, isn't it?!! 

Listening to two funeral messages/tributes where children and grandchildren

 rose to call their mother and grandmother 'blessed' 

is such an inspiration to we still growing older 

and seeking to honor God in the season we are in!

Because sometimes what in the moment seems quite commonplace

 is in fact composing cherished memories and legacies! 

Titus 2:3-5(NKJV)

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:

 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;

 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers,

 not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 

4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands,

 to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, 

good, obedient to their own husbands, 

that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

Photo shared with their Daddy's permission😅💖

When we have no other engagements Sunday Supper at Gramma's & Grandpa's house 

has become a highlight for both the young and old!

Last night Grandsonny went exploring in the room that used to belong to Uncle Matt

and he appeared beaming broadly, with a treasure he unearthed!

Hockey Card Collection!

To we still growing older there is much still left to learn

As we begin to shoulder wisdom we have yet to earn

As we begin to fill the shoes not worn by youthful dreams

But with meek awareness of dues that sager ken esteems

As we begin to weather ways, we once thought quite far-flung

While we were living in the days that seemed forever young

To we still growing older because death is held at bay

Where time seems to grow bolder as swift seasons fall away

We start to sense anew the age-old way staid tick-tock works

As we begin to do the things that once drew winks and smirks

But we excused with kindness because, ‘they are old, you see;

Who knows, with youth behind us what kind of ‘old’ we will be?!’

To we of slowing footsteps there is much to take in stride

As Time begins to show us that it is not on our side

And soon we too will join the ranks of neither young nor old

Or rich or poor; then give God thanks as His mercies unfold

The sacred charge of setting a careful example for

Young men and women whetting raring appetites for more

To we still growing older, (where the Done none can undo

For no one can unsolder the door that each day runs through)

We reassess the beauties of an unsealed legacy

And the blessing of duties that befit maturity

Of kinder, truer patience as we bear in prayerful mind

The precious generation that is following behind

© Janet Martin

Eph.5:15

  Be very careful, then, how you live—

not as unwise but as wise,

As We Face What Waits To Be...

 

After two funerals, one on Friday and one yesterday

it is impossible not to be impacted by the brevity and sacredness of life on earth.

For, even though both funerals were for elderly women who had outlived

'by reason of strength, four score years'...

the moment life ceases to be all that matters is how we prepared for eternity!

Here we all still are, where God tips the scales of mercy in our favour,

where the invitation to 'come' resounds, 

and where redemption for sin still flows full and free!

Heb.9:27-28

Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment, 

28so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many;

 and He will appear a second time, 

not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.

Are you among those 'who eagerly await Him 

because of His gift of salvation'?!

Jesus Paid It All

Daybreak tips God’s scales of mercy in our favour; faith ahoy

With the promise of his Presence we proceed with hope and joy

Armed with the awesome awareness of the power of His Word

Gladness rekindles commitment to our calling undeterred

Because no matter what happens as we face what waits to be

Nothing in the world can sever us from God and love's decree

As Time’s thread runs through His fingers and our numbered days decrease

May Hope’s finished work through Jesus fill our hearts with joy and peace

We who believe in Him receive so much to be thankful for

As the Hour is approaching that nobody should ignore

When the joy still set before us is unveiled and we shall see

He who tips morn’s scales of mercy and beckons ‘come unto Me’

Death demands life’s full attention ere it cuts time’s sacred cord

And it ushers us to reckon with the love we most adored

Pray before the hour ceases when repentance comes too late

We have put our trust in Jesus, who will greet us at death’s gate

Then, when like a little vapor time’s brief sojourn disappears

We who have believed will enter in to ‘no more pain or tears’

But for all who disregarded He whose love tips mercy’s scales

There remains the endless horror of rejection’s endless wails

© Janet Martin

There is a Fountain filled with Blood

This Is He Who We Adore

Behold our God

The call of He who was, is and will ever be resounds

The love of He who cares for all His creation abounds

The light of He who pierced the darkness of the world abides

The grace of He who sets us free through Calvary resides

The living hope of He who anchors saving faith secures

The truth of He who IS the Word eternally endures

The joy of He who is our strength consoles and satisfies

The salvation of He who shed his own blood, justifies

The armor of He who fits us for every fight defends

The promises of He who hears our humble cry attends

The holiness of He who is our helper awes and cheers

The mercy of He who is kind and faithful commandeers

The righteousness of He who is infallible prevails

The One true God in whom we trust, whose goodness never fails

Amen

© Janet Martin

Exodus 15:11
Who among the gods is like You, O LORD?

 Who is like You--majestic in holiness,

 revered with praises, performing wonders?

Psalm 92:8
But You, O LORD, are exalted forever!

Psalm 113:4-6

The Lord is high above all nations,
His glory above the heavens.
5Who is like the Lord our God,
Who dwells on high,
6Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?

Earth's Beginning of Heaven's Eternity

Every so often I love to crank up this song...

it brings a sense of Heaven to earth!

Worship: Earth's beginning to Heaven's Eternity

I Love You Lord

I want to want not anything, save that which teaches me

To sing devotion’s worship hymn with true humility

Lest selfishness and pride take root and vanity applauds

I want to guard against choice fruit offered to lesser gods

How easily a thought can stray from where it ought to be

Fixed on faith’s Confidante and Stay secured at Calvary

To jars of clay, refined through care, hope’s priceless treasure spills

Nothing in this world can compare to what God’s light instills

For what have I of worth to bring save what is given me

To tune devotion’s offering with awed sincerity

To lift a gift of sober joy like a most valued gem

To He who alone doth destroy the shackles that condemn

Oh, help me when I falter Lord, to walk by faith not sight

To lean upon your faultless word to guide my thought aright

For what we have in common ought to gentle fellowmen

Thy sure and sacred summons to Soul’s everlasting Then

Lord, you know all the secrets of each thoughts and heart in full

Help us not to forget to who we are accountable

And live, not for the praise of man but with humility

Begin, in every way we can, worship’s eternity

© Janet Martin

Create in me a clean heart, O God; 

and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

Keeping 'Good Old Days' Alive...

It's another buses-cancelled day so no kiddos for childcare...

Leaving some extra opportunity to practice what I poem 😅💕

Pour a second cup, dark umber

Because I start and finish with the same stanza

 this poem can be read from the top down 

or bottom up!

Put a kettle on to simmer

Watch flame-dancers twist and jive

Let the simple joys of winter

Keep the good, old days alive

Ease the angst of hurried lunch-breaks

Like a sabbath middle-day

Count the stars that fall in snowflakes

Wake the child that lost its way

Watch the birds without vain fretting

About what we cannot know

He who feeds sparrows is setting

Tomorrow’s ducks in a row

Let prudence and leisure mingle

Home-sweet-domesticity

While chores, books and gales rekindle

Good old days waiting to be

Pour a second cup, dark umber

It is winter. Sit and nod

Sweat and toil of summer slumber

Aching feet rest, slipper-shod

Taste a bit ‘o Brit tradition

Have a biscuit with your tea

Sometimes happiness is hidden

In plain-sight-simplicity

Let nature nourish and gladden

Gather barren branch bouquets

Plant a bowl-sized indoor garden

Let winter thrill and amaze

Make music with moment measure

Shake a fist at sparrow-hawk

Practice culinary pleasure

Do not haste the hungry clock

Crosswords, puzzles, scrabble, kittens

Paint a pic with poem-ink

Don a parka, hat and mittens

Let frost kisses turn cheeks pink

Savor winter’s favors slowly

Let its flavors steep each sense

With thanksgiving, meek and holy

Drink in argent ambience

Put a kettle on to simmer

Watch flame-dancers twist and jive

Let the simple joys of winter

Keep the good, old days alive

© Janet Martin

Rekindled Delight

 

Across a landscape ethereal

And not yet tamed by time

To journeymen of syllable

Unfurls a world of rhyme

And stars that poets climb

Sometimes knowledge alone is cursed

And deaf to the wild sound

That plagues the lowly bard with thirst

For wisdom not yet found

And lyrics still unbound

How ephemeral is the gate

That swings softly ajar

To usher through glimmers that bait

Poems that not yet are

Save in one fallen star

…snared on a shimmer of surprise

To thwart the stinging bite

Of words cut down to arrow size

To spur the songsters flight

In rekindled delight

The bull's eye of a poet's heart

Weathers many-a-test

Long suffering is worth the art 

And hunger worth the quest

Of sorrow at its best

© Janet Martin