What May 'Seem' (in the moment) Is Not So At All...

I had a terrible time reigning in the galloping steads of today's poem-possibilities,

but with the news of another of my husband's aunts passing away (Ella)

it causes Thought to muse on how what may seem 

 (mundane and inconsequential) in the moment

is not so at all!!

I look at the mundane duties (thankfully brightened by cutie-duty)

 that seem never to be completely completed,

and I think about how utterly meaningless much could seem

in the grand scheme of things...until we open our hearts

and mouths and turn potential-mundane-chore-ness to a glorious refrain

of worship/praise to God who grants Today! 

(When I play the song below or something similar, while doing housework

it changes my whole perspective!)

This afternoon looks like a long-song afternoon aka lots of housework!!

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

It may not seem like much; the mundane ebb and flow

Of duty as it falls through touch then melts like flakes of snow

Caught on the tongue of Time where nothing stays the surge

Of a momentous pantomime where past and future merge

On a verge called Today; perched on eternity

A chariot soon drawn away by steads we cannot see

Where the grim rigmarole of Today will expire

As the pilgrimage of the soul is restored to its Sire

And what once stole the show is but a lifeless barge

As I AM snuffs the ebb and flow of Duty’s awesome charge

Then, what seems to compose a long-forgotten script

Is unveiled as with curtain-close, the soul of Garb is stripped

When the last dream is dreamed, and the last breath forsook

The last jot of what ‘simply seemed’ summarized in a Book

Where font of taste and touch is gathered; smallest small

And what once seemed like nothing much is not so after all

...where, pray as we emerge from what death has estranged

As Today tumbles from its verge, that one thing is unchanged

As we behold God, oh, it will be as before

Praising He from whom blessings flow both now and evermore

© Janet Martin

John 5:24-29

“Most assuredly, I say to you, 

he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, 

and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 

Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, 

when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; 

and those who hear will live. 

For as the Father has life in Himself,

so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 

and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, 

because He is the Son of Man. 

Do not marvel at this; 

for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 

and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, 

and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

Crowning Call

Dawn's glory crowns the earth like

hope's glory crowns our faith...

it rends the darkness!

God, would that we would hear

The call that crowns all calls

Then count no other cause more dear

No matter what befalls

God, would that we would heed

Your still small voice within

And take captive each thought and deed

That leads us into sin

God, would that we would love

You, heart, soul, strength and mind

Committed to what You approve

Through grace and truth combined

God, would that we would claim

Your gift that sets us free

Salvation in no other name

Save Christ of Calvary

And would that we would guard 

Against appeals, more sweet

Against what does not seem so hard

When other calls compete

 

But, with the joy of You

As hope and peace enthralls

Would that we would yield wholly to

The call that crowns all calls

Faithful until faith's glove

From deathless soul will fall

 Forever in the presence of

The final crowning call

© Janet Martin 

2 Cor.5:20-21

Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ,

 as though God were making His appeal through us. 

We implore you on behalf of Christ: 

Be reconciled to God. 

God made Him who knew no sin to be sinb on our behalf, 

so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Take Time to be Holy

Exquisite Things

Nobody else can offer my worship to the Giver of every good and perfect gift from above!

 

So, though often my poems are but bumbling responses 

to something written by master wordsmiths,

(The phrase 'exquisite things' snagged on my soul

 and stirred the first trembling of this poem!)

...my defense is simply that, at the end of the day, 

only I am responsible for my worship; 

only you can offer yours, by whatever gift or talent you have been given!

 Only I can offer my thanksgiving hymn. 

No one else can sing it for me, nor I for you!

But we can sing together!!

Let's take today and make it a joyful noise/shout to the Lord, shall we?!!

Psalm 100

1{A Psalm of praise.} 

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

2Serve the LORD with gladness:

 come before his presence with singing.

3Know ye that the LORD he is God:

 it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;

 we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

 and into his courts with praise: 

be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; 

and his truth endureth to all generations.

Though the noise of joy's employs/voices may vary, 

when offered in thankfulness it is always in perfect harmony

to God's ears!

(yes, even messes!😅💖😏)

Today, rife with exquisite things bids us delight; each morning brings

Fresh measures of pleasure’s surprise when we view life through thankful eyes

And recognize joy’s sterling thrills unfurling like treasure that spills

From mercy’s generosity to humble likes of you and me

…to cheer the years to growing old with so much beauty to behold

And so much wonder to arouse worship’s reply of breathless ‘wows’

Where nothing seems quite commonplace as we esteem the Giver’s grace

We often overlook and waste or trample beneath futile haste

I want that I should taste anew the darling dance of me-and-you

To gaze at God’s extravagance in ways that woo no thought but thanks

For heaven-glimpses here below, like feathers of fresh-fallen snow

For burgeoning where budded molds hold beginnings that spring unfolds

Today, rife with life’s high and low brims with hymns we would better know

If we would cease to hurry so like mad beasts charging to and fro

But pause to let awe’s ocean roll in holy thunder through the soul

Agog with wealth awareness wrings from vaults filled with exquisite things

© Janet Martin

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