Brutal Truth

 

Lest we become complacent...

This poem was inspired again in part

 by an excerpt from the story of George Mueller...

Proverbs 28:13-17 KJV

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper:

 But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Oh, the gravity of its depravity

The enormity of its deformity

The awfulness of its unlawfulness

As it dominates within

The subtleness of its brutal-ness

The evilness of vain promises

Of lies disguised, idolized and prized

This is the truth about sin

The pelf of stubborn selfishness

The stealth of Satan’s deadly steps

The guile of a vile, downward spiral

A wolf dressed in sheep skin

Danger and dire consequence

The liar daring providence

Unholy, rebellious ignorance

Mocker, smooth talker; sin

Hunger and thirst hopelessly cursed

Excuses soothed, me-first immersed

Self-righteous drivel at its worst

Pride’s beguiled, unbridled din

Deception’s uncontested will

Desire never quite fulfilled

Defilement, sensuous and skilled

Beware, oh, beware of sin

Unrepentance unrecognized

Hell’s curb appeal hailed, unapprised

Blind leading blind, applause-imbibed

Deaf to the toll within

Brutal refutal of wisdom astute

Pitiful, poisonous, ravenous root

Half-obedience-corrupted fruit

Horrible horror of sin

© Janet Martin

Romans 5:12-20

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13(For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15But the free gift is not like the [e]offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many [f]offenses resulted in justification. 17For if by the one man’s [g]offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

18Therefore, as through [h]one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one[i] Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

20Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Because Actions Speak Louder Than Words...

Originally I entitled this poem

Sermon to Poets and Silver-tongued Scribes

but that felt a bit harsh 

and its connotation a bit off the mark

so I changed it😅

(all that to say, words ring hollow

without rubber-meets-road corroboration!)

Bit of satire to self today, as well as

all of us struggling with easier talked than walked!

Below, is a glimpse of the scenery of general muddled mayhem 

of many hours of mental workouts,

frustrated/vexed scribbles 

and mumbled prayer-stumble!!

Yet all of this can never take the place of

a single step to aid/accompany a fellow-traveler! 

(lest I/we forget)

My hope is that here and there a poem hits home 

like a hug that needs no explanation

and an act of kindness tendered in ink!

I’d take a stumbling sermon lived

Over a smooth rehearsal, talked

And if I had to choose a gift

I’d take mercy’s second mile, walked

I’d take the ink of honest toil

Over spouted theology

And if I had to choose love’s spoil

I’d take a friendly cup of tea

I’d take the smallest gentle deed

Above intent, pious and grand

And if I had to choose my need

I’d take an earnest helping hand

The pen, though mightier than sword

Is not a supple substitute

For living out God’s Holy Word

Until the branch is bent with fruit

Sermons are not misunderstood

When preached in meek obedience

Better than pulpits carved of wood

Are stepping stones of reverence

And in the thick and thin of cost

Midst love’s ado of This and That

Better a kindness-buoy tossed

Than a poetic lariat

The fine art of rhythm and rhyme

Can kindle senses with delight

But cannot take the place of Time

Spent on knees in the dead of night

And, lest words miss the sacred mark

Of pure religion undefiled

Better prayer’s closet in the dark

Than podiums where crowds go wild

© Janet Martin

1 John 3:18 ESV

Little children, let us not love in word or talk

but in deed and in truth.

(Temporary) To-do List/Must

The gray, sunless stretch of weather continues!!

sometimes it seems to threaten to seep into our spirits😏😐

Do you ever wake up feeling defeated before you begin

a new day, a new week, as struggles and battles seem to hit 'repeat'?!!

Call on God, call on a friend, 

call on a mother, spouse, sibling

but whatever we do, let's not try to do it alone!

Father Along

Do you ever wish for a life without care?!!

(I confess, sometimes I do! But,

a life without cares would make us 

pretty careless and self-reliant, wouldn't it?!

On the other hand, sometimes we can create cares

 by being careless and self-reliant!

Here is the balance challenge:

To not become complacent,

 yet, to not become discouraged

as we shoulder the yoke of faithfulness!

 The only way to accomplish this requires

constant refueling in God's company/His Word!

(To keep our eyes on faith's prize is impossible

if we love the world...more)

1 John 2:15-17 (BSB)

Do not love the world or anything in the world.

 If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 

16For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh,

 the desires of the eyes, 

and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world

. 17The world is passing away, along with its desires;

 but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

Happy Monday!

Let's make the most of to-do lists 

not simply with what we have wherever we are,

but with Who we have wherever we are,

 (if we have believed in He who is able!)

💓🙏

this hard-to-do to-do list kind of unfolded as I contemplated

what to write about, as I weighed wishes and wants with what is, etc.

Some successes, no matter how hard-fought 

seem to evade, maybe because we're not ready for it yet!

...to loathe the pride that lurks inside accolades of success

To hunger for still waters and green pastures of His Word

While feasting on a five-star meal of hope with thankfulness 

And to pray without ceasing, leaning wholly on the Lord

To love our neighbor as ourself without selfish reserve

To be more kind and patient where we all have much to learn

Where only by God’s favor we have more than we deserve

A glorious inheritance that we could never earn

To fight against desires that wage war against the soul

To count spiritual blessings and to covet more and more

Its measure, life’s true treasure beyond time’s transient toll

When at last, we will see what now we are yet striving for

To make Heaven our goal, so that we labor not in vain

To remember, the garment of the soul will soon decay

And what once seemed so far off and arduous to attain

Will be an everlasting crown that never fades away

© Janet Martin

1 Cor.9:24-27 (NIV)

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run,

 but only one gets the prize? 

Run in such a way as to get the prize.

 25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. 

They do it to get a crown that will not last, 

but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

 26Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;

 I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.

 27No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave 

so that after I have preached to others,

 I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Truly Love

Oh, how we love our precious innocent children

who depend on us to honor their innocence 

and teach them what is right

and Who is the one true God!!

Encouraging young parents through 'tough love' 

when training little children reminds us

over and over how parenting our earthly children

reflects a picture of our Heavenly Father as He 'parents' us, doesn't it?!

We sure must test His patience sometimes as we ignore His commands.

What a kind and merciful Father he is!

He took the time to appoint/establish commandments that,

if we obey them will lead to peace and joy!

All we need to do is listen to be happy!

Sometimes we use 'happiness' as an excuse to bend or break His rules

instead of trusting the love that puts boundaries in place!

Today's scripture reading included the account of Moses

 receiving the Ten Commandments from God...

Imagine what this world would be like if we obeyed them/Him?!

Our Heav’nly Father cares for us: so He sets Ground Rules

And boundaries, to keep in check our bent to being fools

And making deadly choices when temptation’s lure is tossed

To echo 'did God really say’ when innocence was lost

And Eve believed the liar and did eat, and Adam too

One bite began the plight of man that still tests me and you

Our Heav’nly Father cares for us; so, he gave us His Word

A kind, tangible Presence to comfort and undergird

To be a lamp unto our feet in a world dark without

Where logic errs without His Word to vanquish fear and doubt

Where we would stray into the way that seems right but is not

Where the romance of ignorance sets a Death-trap of Thought

Our Heav’nly Father cares for us; He knows that we are prone

To wander like sheep, shepherd-less, if He leaves us alone

So, like all loving parents do, He authors boundaries

To safeguard precious darlings against lurking enemies

Because like children we will never fully understand

The love that cares enough to guard desire with command

Our Heav’nly Father cares for us; He works for our good

How often we do not appreciate Him like we should

And thank him for His steadfast righteousness and truth and grace

To anchor us so that we do not drift from place to place

But embrace the sweet peace we find with awed epiphany

God’s flawless laws and precepts do not bind but set us free

Our Heav’nly Father cares for us; what perfect happiness

To walk, not in the counsel of wicked ungodliness

But in the way where blessing will both console and chastise

Like the tough love of parents who are vigilant and wise

As they train up a child to see choice leads to consequence

And love is only truly love with a commandment-fence

© Janet Martin

Psalm 1:1-5

Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the [a]ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he [b]meditates day and night.

3He shall be like a tree

Planted by the [c]rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper.

4The ungodly are not so,

But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

Learning to Cherish

Do you also tend to feel a sense of frustration/astonishment 

as you read in Exodus, how God freed the children of Israel from

their bondage and oppression in Egypt in ways that they beheld His mighty power,

Then how, though they had a visual reminder of His presence 

in a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, (Ex.13:21)

How, though God parted the Red Sea so they passed through on dry ground, 

before the waters swallowed up the Egyptian army pursuing them.

and yet, how quickly their praise turned to murmuring

 when they were hungry and thirsty,

when present unpleasantness drew their attention and worship

 from He who had proven faithful over and over...

Oh!!! suddenly this sounds very familiar! 

forgive me, Lord!!

Moses' reprimand to the children of Israel is the same for you and me...

Because if we believe we too have been freed 

from bondage and oppression in the wilderness of Sin!

(I jotted half of this poem yesterday from a totally different train of thought

before finishing it this morning after today's scripture reading from Exodus!)

We take it as it comes; Blossoms and butterflies

Wishes that don’t come true and some that do to our surprise

We cannot seize what was or leap beyond today

So, we cherish what is because there is no other way

We take it as it is; of new not yet turned old

Of old that once was younger and of gray that once was gold

We cannot stay the hands that mark the march of time

So, we cherish duty’s demands and beauty’s season-chime

We take it as it goes; the high road and the low

Where only God, who grants it knows what life waits to bestow

To teach us how to trust and love Him all our days

To cherish His goodness to us and live a life of praise

To He who does not faint or weary of our cry

May we withhold thankless complaint and vanity of 'why' 

But cherish that which flows from Mercy's patient nod/rod

What comes, what is, what goes unfurls the soul's return to God

© Janet Martin

...in the morning we shall see the glory of the Lord!

Ex.16:7

Isa. 40:28

Have you not known? 

Have you not heard?

 The everlasting God, the LORD, 

The Creator of the ends of the earth, 

Neither faints nor is weary. 

His understanding is unsearchable.

His Love Endures Forever-Chris Tomlin

It's Not Easy But It Is Possible

This winter I have committed to sorting through

a lot of long-neglected corners and drawers filled with paraphernalia and plunder

of collections no longer relevant to the season I am in...Older mother!

And while mothering is by no means over, preschool and school children mothering is!

Leaving a lot of hard decisions to be made like

how many old art projects, canvases, folders, sketch-books, keepsakes do I keep?!!

My oldest daughter is at the other end of the spectrum, at the beginning of this journey

 and sometimes the only way I know how to advise her on

how to navigate a situation is because 

though the circumstances may differ the solution is the same for her season as mine;

 Ask God for wisdom then trust Him to provide!

Often wisdom comes through what feels like failure first.

But the important thing is that we don't give up!!

 Keep trying/praying! 

It’s not easy, learning how to fully lean on God to guide

How to trust Him without fretting about if/what He will provide

It’s not easy learning how to yield and say ‘Thy will, not mine’

And to rest in Him untroubled by His unrevealed design

It’s not easy, learning how to sacrifice each selfish choice

Taking God’s Word at His promises without doubt’s vexing voice

It’s not easy to be holy; we need God’s word in our hearts

To undo sin’s dark dominion and to thwart the tempter’s darts

It’s not easy to be faithful if we look ahead too far

But God makes it possible if we trust Him

Right

Where

We

Are

It's not easy, the relying on strength we do not possess 

But as long as we keep trying God unveils His promises 

© Janet Martin

Prov.3:3-8, 33-35

Let not mercy and truth forsake you;

Bind them around your neck,

Write them on the tablet of your heart,

4And so find favor and [a]high esteem

In the sight of God and man.

5Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

6In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall [b]direct your paths.

7Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

8It will be health to your [c]flesh,

And strength[d] to your bones....

...The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,

But He blesses the home of the just.

34Surely He scorns the scornful,

But gives grace to the humble.

35The wise shall inherit glory,

But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

The Wonderworld of 'Will' or The Best of 'This'

Oh, the wonders of tomorrow...

Little grand-daughter sighed with ecstasy  as she relived

 a euphoric plethora of summer memories

 while peering through winter's window...toward spring!

Tomorrow will soon be today's challenges and joys

Tomorrow will soon steal today's girls and boys

Tomorrow will change (for better or worse) what Today still is

Tomorrow is a world away; let's make the best of This

'Grandma, why did you tape the door shut?', questioned grand-daughter the other day.

"Because it's not very tight", I replied "and we need to keep the shivery wind outside!

But, one warm, wonderful sunny day Gramma will take the tape off!

We will open the door and set the rocking chair and flowers

 back on the deck and have tea out there

and read books and have campfire suppers!

 Won't that be a happy day?!!"

And grand-daughters eyes sparkled with heaven-like anticipation as she sighed,

'ye-e-eth!! and aunty Mel will be here too, right?'

' Oh, I hope so,' was all gramma could promise😅💖

I've always believed anticipation is one of life's purest pleasures,

but let's not miss what is while we dream, right?!

Someday porch flowerpots will brim with pretty petal-plumes

The wooly-white woodland will ring with reawakened tunes

The meadow will be like a green-spun picnic blanket spread

Beneath a canopy of sun-kissed blue skies overhead

The barren branch will burgeon with hues of replenished shade

The gale will gentle its halloos into a serenade

Raindrop-waltzes will wash the world and rouse earth from its sleep

And windows will not frame counterpanes unfurled, white and deep

New beginnings will flower and blossoms will deck the grass

Dreamland’s barred gate will lower and beckon us to trespass

The quiet interlude between harvest and Planting Must

Will turn into a bustling scene of machine-startled dust

The clock will feast on a buffet of quickened hour-chime

Hearthside evenings borne away until next winter-time

And we will taste spring’s cheeriness that waits within our thought

And we will wear the weariness we had somehow forgot

And we will wonder at the way each season swiftly spills

While hunger scavenges hope’s tray that each new day refills

And we will bow our head in thanks to mortal’s gracious God

Where we will soon join silenced ranks in earth’s grave-stippled sod

The wonderworld of 'will' is filled with what yet waits to be

With tears and laughter not yet spilled into a memory

But, lest we miss the best of This that will fill yesteryears

Let's make the most of what yet is before it disappears 

© Janet Martin

Genesis 3:19
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, 

until you return to the ground--because out of it were you taken. 

For dust you are, and to dust you shall return."

Eccles.12:7

Then the dust will return to the earth as it was,

 And the spirit will return to God who gave it.

A Gentle Reprimand (mother or not!)

Below, a bit of conversation between my daughter and I

as she lamented some not-so-shining-parenting-moments earlier today💓

(my comments in the blue)

The quote my daughter shared reminded me that we sure shouldn't 

point an accusing finger at anyone

before we have walked a mile in their shoes...should we?💖💕

Until we’ve worn each other’s shoes and borne each other’s cares

And struggled with each other’s dues and prayed each other’s prayers

I think the point that lingers is love’s gentle reprimand:

Instead of pointing fingers let’s reach out a helping hand

© Janet Martin