Monday, February 12, 2024

Dear Henry Van Dyke (and a few other rare old writers/poets)



Books that touch me/move me as often and deeply as the one below
are far and few between!

Thank-you Henry!



You are my friend though you were gone long before I was born
And we have never met, save in words penned in days of yorn
You move me still, where once your quill traversed a barren page
To leave behind kind fellowship for folk of future age
To touch us in those places time cannot affect, it seems
No matter how it chases generations through its schemes/dreams

I love you, though to tell you is a joy deferred and weighed
In a balance that tips toward a door none can evade
Till then I'll taste thy turn of phrase with slow and sheer amour
To think that ink can keep alive what death cannot devour
To touch us with affections Time cannot thwart by its toll
As you arouse reflections in rivers poured from your soul

You make me smile and weep and laugh and sigh in sweet surprise
You steal my breath; earth moves beneath its motionless disguise
Oh, how I wish that I could shake the hand that shaped the thought
That gently cheers an afternoon, soon otherwise forgot
You touch me as if we were just a fireside apart
Sharing a glimpse of heaven as we commune, heart to heart

© Janet Martin

Below are a few examples why I love this writer so much!





But Thanks Be To God (From We, Beneficiaries of Love's Great Sacrifice)

Romans 6:15-23NIV
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!
16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves,
you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death,
or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?
17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin,
you have come to obey from your heart
the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.
18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
19 I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations.
Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness,
so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.
20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness.
21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of?
Those things result in death!
22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God,
the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.


Don't you love how a familiar passage of scripture
can impact us anew with profound wonder?!!
Such is the case, as the above passage inspired today's Thanksgiving Hymn

Love transforms perspective ...

...until nothing is ordinary 


... and everything is sacred!



But great thanks be to God’ from we, once sorry slaves to sin
From we who benefit from He who paid the debt we owed
From we, washed clean and purged of guilt’s vile residue within
From we once without hope and God, till He, his grace bestowed

But glad thanks be to God’ from we, now slaves to righteousness
From we who have believed and obey, not through force, but love
From we who are awed heirs of God’s unfailing promises
Where sin no longer reigns that we obey its lusts thereof

‘But meek thanks be to God’ from we who are saved from sin’s wage
By love’s gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord
The Hand, once pierced with nails will part death’s sea where demons rage
And lead us through on dry ground to faith’s infinite reward

‘But sweet thanks be to God’ who spares us from hell’s dreadful rue
Because He did not spare Himself to suffer pardon’s price
But purchased our redemption as sin’s curse He overthrew
So we could reap the benefit of Love’s Great Sacrifice

© Janet Martin

When we believe in God we obey, perhaps, through 
a sense of pious obligation.
But oh! when we love God we, as v. 17 describes it;
'we come to obey from our hearts
the pattern of teaching that has claimed our allegiance!'
(because )
v. 18. 'we have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness'
May this be our prayer, that we would ever yearn to love our Saviour more!










Saturday, February 10, 2024

Be The Good


Today I had the pleasure of working with good friends at a church event.
The inspiration for today's poem, however, started a few days ago...
Here's to being 'the good' we like to find/meet!

The other day as I sat on the deck I overheard
an experienced electrician patiently coaching an apprentice.
The apprentice was impatient to know how he can get to making
much more (dollars) an hour than he was currently being paid.
And I smiled to hear Experience's answer
"it takes time before you can make that kind of money.
You need to put in a lot of electrical hours to get there"
Good advice to someone who will hopefully take it to heart
and become the good help that seems hard to find these days
but who rely on good coaches/teachers!

..."the reason I like working with you" I heard the apprentice continue, 
as his Teacher invited him to ride up in the boom for a lesson,  
"is because at the other place I just did the same thing over and over."



Be the good help that is so hard to find
Be the good coach that keeps learning in mind
Be the good fellowman, patient and kind
Be the good salt of the earth
Be the good we wish there would be more of;
A good example of mercy and love
Be the good nature when push comes to shove
Fill common hours with worth

Be the good treasure we measure in friends
Be the good neighbor that willingly lends
Be a good steward with whatever life sends
Be the good we all applaud
The good that makes bad days better to bear
Be the good listener some sorrow to share
Be the good soldier that shoulders love’s care
All for the glory of God

© Janet Martin


1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink 
 whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Fond Yonder-World of 'Soon'


Yesterday afternoon on our south-facing deck in a cozy crook of sunshine
 I wiggled my toes (and blew my nose, due to sudden head cold) 
profoundly taken by an immense Sense of Impending Soon!

Celestial rivers meandered overhead...




Perhaps, due in part because
it's been a less-than-normal snowy winter so far,
stoking thoughts with bucolic scenes of 'Soon'







In a fond, yonder-world of ‘Soon’
Unravels summer’s afternoon
Uncurls a river, silver-bent
Unfurls earth’s mirth of winter spent
Unwinds a lane, wildflower-fringed
Beyond a gaping gate unhinged
Leading through lilac hedge and tress
To front row seats to happiness
To loiter where daffodils sway
To climb the young, green hills of May
To leap like lambs, with joy because
The world rings/sings with Winter That Was

...where pockets jingle, full of June
In a fond, yonder-world of ‘soon’
Where brooks chuckle, content to glide
Without hype, through the countryside
To welcome we who once were wishin’
For yellow dusk, perfect for fishin’
For zephyr-soft caress to brush
Our pallid cheek with sun-kissed flush
And to be humbled by a prize
Of bursting buds beneath blue skies
And to be sweetly glad because
Twilight is later than it was

…where the fond, yonder-world of ‘Soon’
That cheered a dull, chill afternoon
Has rent the veil that held at bay
Laughter of barefoot child at play
And countless little pleasantries
Bidding us take an hour’s ease
To revel ‘neath the influence
Of bloom-imbibed exuberance
Enchanted by a brimming world
Of nature’s orchestras unfurled
In melodies and colours of
A Composer whose name is Love

…who stirs in us a yearning croon
For a fond, yonder-world of ‘Soon’
Where pastures green and waters still
Unmarred by grief and pain will spill
Where farewell’s tear will never dim
The eye, no solemn parting hymn
Will sever ties that briefly bound
Us to a time, four-season-crowned
With here and there a glimpse for we
Who dream of how Heaven will be
Then faith does not lose heart because
Soon this will be the world that was

© Janet Martin

With here and there a glimpse for we
Who dream of how Heaven will be...


Heaven-

Rev.21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. 
There will be no more death 
or mourning 
or crying 
or pain,
 for the old order of things 
has passed away.”






Wednesday, February 7, 2024

This Life Is Full of Lovely Things (in a much-amiss world)

To sun-rise starved Southern Ontarion-ers this morning's stunner
was like a sweet elixir to the soul!


Beneath a rush of blushing wings
A fresh start is unfurled...







This life is filled with lovely things
The fresh start that each new day brings
As dawn unfolds translucent wings
Where God prolongs Time’s grace
Child’s laughter to set hearts aglow
Gardens asleep beneath the snow
Waiting for spring to steal the show
As bud-looms burst with lace

This life is filled with countless joys
Mischievous pups and little boys
The beauty each season deploys
To leave us humbly awed
With handiwork by God designed
Then etched, splashed, pearled, swirled and entwined
Like surprises we thrill to find
On sky and sea and sod

This life is filled with wondrous ways
God wills and grants to gladden days
And turn would-be lament to praise
And weight of want to love
Where learning’s tattered lesson-book
Is brightened by bird-song, a brook
And God-ness, everywhere we look
(If we look long enough)

…where life is full of you and me
And Today’s opportunity
A hand to hold, a friend to be
A tender word to cheer
Each other on, through ups and downs
To be part of the art that crowns
The heart and face with smiles, as frowns
That would-be, disappear

This life, filled with mercies renewed
As morning rends night’s tent, star-strewed
Kindles courage with gratitude
In a much-amiss world
Where life is full of lovely things
To counter cares it surely brings
Beneath dawn's rush of blushing wings
A fresh start is unfurled

© Janet Martin

It was impossible to capture the full scale of the magnitude of the sunrise with
a camera lens. Its colors ran north and south without bound!



I began today's poem yesterday morning before Duty prevailed...
I wonder what yesterday's poem would have been??😅

Yesterday afternoon I was treated to this 'bird-song'
from a treetop symphony!


Before I finished 'yesterday's' poem this morning,
the wonderful Psalm below from today's devotion
began Today with utter loveliness!!

Ps. 130
Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord;
2 Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive
To the voice of my supplications.

3 If You, Lord, should [a]mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with You,
That You may be feared.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
And in His word I do hope.
6 My soul waits for the Lord
More than those who watch for the morning—
Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the Lord;
For with the Lord there is mercy,
And with Him is abundant redemption.
8 And He shall redeem Israel
From all his iniquities.

Yesterday's poem-kindling...






Monday, February 5, 2024

When Best Intentions Run Awry


This didn't go as planned!


To Grand sonny's 7 yr. old logic it made perfect sense to take a stick
 and whack the snow and ice out of this little china bird-feeder,
completely unaware that Gramma received it for Christmas
 from a family she did childcare for, 
and who thoughtfully picked out this bird and tea lover's gift .
Gramma, (as she came upon the scene of Grandson 
beating the feeder to bits after 'it was broken anyway' 
and before she heard the explanation that caused 
what appeared to be radical unreason!!) 
did not react as patiently as she should have, ahem!!
And then Gramma apologized for her quick and quite annoyed reaction,
and gave him a little 'explanation' on why she treasured it
and on respecting people's things. 😓😅
Grandsonny was very sorry💔💗
It reminded me of how we all sometimes are part of best intention run amuck.
He was simply going to get rid of the ice😂😇
but, no matter how well-intended the objective
 if, when all is said and done
we leave someone wounded/broken or in retrospect realize
our intentions were misguided,
 we owe repentance and apology to whom it is due
however noble our initial intentions were!
The above episode may seem like a pale example,
but the principle  is the same, 
no matter what the details of the issue.
As we mature we realize even compassion can make mistakes.
Sometimes love can get a bit tangled in that fine line 
between sinner and sin!
Oh God, help us all (Whether leader or laity)
 to be humble enough always, to stand corrected!
Would that we be sorry when we should!
God is faithful to help us pick up the pieces,
and move forward by His grace,
for His glory!

Sometimes our best intentions run awry
The good-we-would misses the mark we sought
And every earnest explanation ‘why’
Cannot suffice to fix the wrong it wrought

Sometimes stumbles can test the ‘humblest’ heart
Surprising Self with startling clarity
When Noble Reason errs, (if but in part)
Wreaking havoc from flawed integrity

Fumbles can foster brutal wake-up calls
With jolts intended to open our eyes
Because no one is above pride’s pitfalls
Or too superior to apologize

Then, sometimes all it takes to get along
Rather than justify the cause so much
Is to say ‘I am sorry, I was wrong’
Then let forgiveness work its healing touch

Sometimes our best intentions run askew
The good-we-would leaves shambles in its wake
And every explanation will not do
Other than owning up to love’s mistake

© Janet Martin

Dear Lord, remind us, rather than stooping to sling stones,
to bow humbled hearts before you in prayer for one another!

John 8:2-11
Now [a]early in the morning He came again into the temple, 
and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. 
3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery.
 And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him,
 “Teacher, [b]this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.
 5 Now [c]Moses, in the law, commanded us [d]that such should be stoned. 
But what do You [e]say?” 
6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him.
 But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, [f]as though He did not hear.

7 So when they continued asking Him, He [g]raised Himself up and said to them,
 “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 
8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 
9 Then those who heard it, being[h] convicted by their conscience, went out one by one,
 beginning with the oldest even to the last. 
And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 
10 When Jesus had raised Himself up [i]and saw no one but the woman, 
He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers [j]of yours? 
Has no one condemned you?”
11 She said, “No one, Lord.”
And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; 
go [k]and sin no more.”

Friday, February 2, 2024

Nothing But This...

Happy First-Friday-in-February!
F- is for Forgiveness!
***
To hold a grudge is such a heavy weight to carry through the day
Forgiveness frees us from its spite and lets it gently slip away 
Ah, life is much too brief to mar it with the bitter grief of hate
Forgiveness melts its iron bar and flings ajar love's glorious gate 

***
A friend and I decided to bring a splash of 'sunshine'
to February's dreary debut by hitting a few thrift stores
with Extreme Leisure!😂
I found the treasure below to hang in our kitchen dining area
as a gentle reminder of what I/we can quite quickly forget!



Have we nothing but this to bring
To God when shadows fall
To be a gift, fit for a king
Though it may seem so small

Have we nothing but this to prove
The flower from faith’s seed
It is enough. A word of love
A kind and thoughtful deed

Have we nothing to leave behind
When death its due will claim
It is enough, to love, be kind
In Jesus precious Name

Enough to see in every face
The scarred hand-print of He
Who helps us to mirror His grace
With kind humility

Lord, let the Name we utter/cherish most
Because of Calvary
Grant nothing but love's greatest boast
'Not I, but Christ in me'

© Janet Martin

This is (one of) my daily devotionals for this year.


January's 'pathway' focused on God's will

February's pathway focuses on Forgiveness








Thursday, February 1, 2024

Of Steadfast Cheer

 

Happy February!
 The month famous for the day that celebrates 
what we hopefully celebrate every day;

Morning By Morning-Pat Barret (feat, Mack Brock)



Then do not worry ‘bout today
God is a ‘help me’ prayer away
In every circumstance of need
He will our helpless heart-cry heed
Should sorrow try our happiness
He does not leave us comfortless
Should fear threaten courage to steal
Should faith fall prey to sight’s appeal
Should temptation’s enticing stance
Lure us from promises God grants
Should idle words and prideful thoughts
Turn stepping stones to stumbling blocks
Should hope be inclined to despair
Beneath love’s pressing weight of care
Should Want be wont to disobey
Turning alas, to our own way
Should trust grow weary in the fight
To cling to what is good and right
Or, as we face the enemy
Forget ‘not I, but Christ in me
Or should confusion author doubt
As to Who life is from, about
Or worship bow to lesser gods
That human natured dust/lust applauds
Should trouble its dark shadow cast
The love of God remains steadfast
In whatever we face today
He is a ‘help me’ prayer away
He is a faithful Friend indeed
A Helper in our time of need
A Father to the fatherless
A God who keeps His promises
Hope’s anchor in the storms of life
Joy’s strength amidst opposing strife
Contentment’s gladness undeterred
In all who delight in His word
Where, though we are the Tempter’s prey
God is a ‘help me’ prayer away
What comfort, kindness, peace to cheer
For God is always 'help me' near  

© Janet Martin

Heb.13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money 
and be content with what you have, 
because God has said,
 “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Rom.8:38-39
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, 
nor angels nor principalities nor powers, 
nor things present nor things to come, 
nor height nor depth, 
nor any other created thing, 
shall be able to separate us from the love of God 
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.