First Signs of Spring

Blue and gray canopy 

laden with showers

Bashful green filigree 

kindled with flowers...

Landscapes the color of weathered burlap...

Bird-warble wakening earth from its nap...

Robins return with their antics and lays...

Treetops still barren are ringing with praise...

Bleak garden canvases start beckoning

Exciting artists with first signs of spring...

Blue and gray canopy laden with showers

Bashful green filigree kindled with flowers

Lengthening daylight and dusk lingering

These are a few of the first signs of spring

Landscapes the color of weathered burlap

Bird-warble wakening earth from its nap

Stiff breeze and soft zephyr tug-of-warring

Thrilling our thoughts with the first signs of spring

Robins return with their antics and lays

Treetops still barren are ringing with praise

Bleak garden canvases start beckoning

Exciting artists with first signs of spring

Raindrops plip plop in a wild hip-hop dance

Sun-kisses tease eager hearts with romance

Sugar-shacks teem with maple-tree’s sweet fling

Drizzling warm pancakes with first signs of spring

Windows edge upward to let in fresh air

South-facing porches are graced with a chair

Pretty pussy-willow bouquets are purring

From front hall tables with first signs of spring

Refurbished rivulets ripple and glim

God, its great Maestro and joy, its glad hymn

Unfurled, like silver ribbon-song shimmering

Winding through meadows in first signs of spring

© Janet Martin

Pretty pussy-willow bouquets are purring

From front hall tables with first signs of spring...

Through the Means of Today

"That our sanctification did not depend upon changing

our works, but, in doing that for God's sake which we commonly do for our own.

That it was lamentable to see how many people mistook the means for the end,

addicting themselves to certain works which they performed

very imperfectly, by reason of their human or selfish regards...."

Above excerpt from The Practice of the Presence of God

by Brother Lawrence

We ought to pay close heed

To dawn’s gift on display

Because of where its moments lead

Through the means of Today...

Some folk I have outlived

And some will outlive me

Through the means of Today, a gift

God grants mortality

The tally of the sum

Of Today-shadows cast

Are like flickers that will become

My life, when life is passed

The breath that holds the soul

At bay, someday will cease

The means of getting to the goal

Will expire its lease

We ought to pay close heed

To dawn’s gift on display

Because of where its moments lead

Through the means of Today

The means is not the end

The ‘seen’ will soon be through

Let’s live as if Today could rend

The veil between the two

…where there is no release

To what none can outlive;

The end begins what cannot cease

And God alone can give

Oh, pray we bear in mind

Far more than dust of clay

In grave-strewn worlds soon left behind

Through the means of Today

© Janet Martin

Ps.107:8-9

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
 For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness.

Sharing some morning robin and finch cheeriness!

(in between traffic noise!)

Building For Eternity-New Heights Quartet

The Great Redeemer

If Skunks Could Fly...

A bit of silliness to start today...

Last night in the course of conversation I mentioned how 

I had a dream/nightmare that skunks could fly!

I didn't elaborate but it was quite traumatic which is likely why I remember it!

 I was bent over in the garden and one landed on my back

 and started turning round and round like some animals do, 

trying to find a comfy spot for a snooze...

and I couldn't move for fear it would spray!!! then I woke up😅😂😂)

One of the listeners kiddingly challenged me to turn it into a poem.

haha!! Of course, he (Glenn) should have known I can never resist a poem-challenge😁

***

Ps.118:24

This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.

I didn't have a picture of skunks but I took a photo of these beauties on Sunday!

They cooperated nicely

unlike the loon, that disappeared every time I clicked...😅

(Thankfully no flying skunks landed on the lake!)

It could be worse; sin’s curse of few-and-full-of-trouble-days

Sometimes we fret, and forget mercy’s very caring ways

So, if you’re feeling down and out, with doubtful, poutful sigh

Remember that it would be worse if God made skunks that fly

Imagine, when you settle for a little outdoor nap

A flying skunk would flutter down, kerplunk, into your lap

And you would need to wait, stock-still until it flew away

For fear you startle it and be drenched with stench of skunk-spray

Imagine a day at the beach, if like sea-gulls, skunks flew

And hovered overhead waiting for a stray fry or two

Or if, while tending gardens we would need to watch our back

Against possible peril of a flying skunk attack

What chaos would ensue for me and you; oh, aren’t you glad

That heads are not in danger of being skunk’s landing pad

And we don't need to worry about skunks building a nest

In our favorite tree; my, my, but aren't we sweetly blessed?!!

This is the day the Lord has made, rejoice, be glad in it

So much could be much worse, we all humbly have to admit 

So, when we count God's mercies, among many mentioned things

I think that we should add, ‘that He did not make skunks with wings’

© Janet Martin

If you are familiar with Peter Santenello's videos HERE you will recognize Titus!

The guy in the hat! Singing

 Count Your Blessings

Beneath a Rush of Rose and Gold

A glorious spring-like morning 

can't help but rouse a humble tip o' the poet's hat

to the Giver

Wishing/praying God's blessing of joy to you today!

(my extra-special joy comes today in the form

of two little girls who used to be in my childcare!)

Earth’s ridges reappear beneath a rush of rose and gold

Birds warble welcome-hymns of cheer where days to years run bold

From the hand of the Giver like a bud bursting with hope

Like a gleam-giddy river as the snow melts from the slope

Light eddies into nooks and crooks like ocean-surge run wild

It overflows the air like brooks, like laughter of a child

And suddenly, like lambs in spring, faith leaps with joy, reborn

Beneath the rush of mercy’s Wing, the night is turned to morn

© Janet Martin

Acts 17:24-31

The God who made the world and everything in it 

is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 

25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything.

 Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 

26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; 

and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.

 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, 

though he is not far from any one of us. 

28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’[b] 

As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’[c]

29 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, 

we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—

an image made by human design and skill. 

30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, 

but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 

31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. 

He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

How To Replenish Love's Delight...

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord”

 (Romans 12:11).

Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart,

 for God has already approved what you do.

Ecclesiastes 9:7

Above, a few verses from a few Daily Bread devotionals I missed on the weekend

because we were away for a bit!

Great verses to contemplate as we begin a new week!

May your week be as sweet as a Krispy Kreme donut!

(One of our stops)

It's easy to be filled with delight while savoring donuts,

but life/love isn't always as soft and sweet as a fresh donut, is it?!

If it was we would become fat and foolish,

sluggish and selfish!

James 1:2-4 BSB

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, 

when you encounter trials of many kinds, 

3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

 4Allow perseverance to finish its work, 

so that you may be mature and complete, 

not lacking anything.

We walk by faith, not sight

To overcome despair

Is to replenish love's delight

Through faithful, thankful prayer

Is to fix our eyes

On He whose hope elates

Whose grace made possible the prize

That faith anticipates 

Is to count our joys

Rather than our woes

Is to seize what each morn deploys

And dusk draws to a close

Is to choose what is right

And forgive fellowman

And in each flight from morn to night

To do the best we can

Because God gave His best

Because He loves us so

To dwell on this renews the zest/quest

No care can overthrow

Because when we believe

We walk by faith, not sight

And as we trust we will receive

Love's replenished delight

Janet Martin

Jer.17:7

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,

 whose confidence is in him.

Psalm 40:4
Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, 

who has not turned to the proud, 

nor to those who lapse into falsehood.

Birthday Wish and Blessing...

Happy Birthday, dear daughter💝💖

We are so thankful for the beautiful, kind and caring person you are!!

The 'baby' in our family is 23!!

Today's splashy weather inspired the first line😂

For rain, an umbrella...

 

For sunshine, a chair...

For rain, an umbrella

For sunshine, a chair

To set in a soft, yellow

Book-nook somewhere

For joy, lots o’ laughter

For sorrow, a friend

To cheer you long after

Well-wishers disband

For day-to-day prudence

Where options run rife

For we are all students

In the school of life

For spoon full of honey

To sweeten Earl Grey

For just enough money

To teach you to pray

For much to give thanks for;

Happiness and health

For mercy, each morning

For wisdom’s fine wealth

For your cup of gladness

Filled up to the brim

Because of God’s goodness

And wonder of Him

For love to be given

For love to embrace

For love is earth’s heaven

For love is God’s grace

I love you, dear daughter

My heaven-on-earth

God bless you forever

With Love's complete worth

Love, Mom, aka

© Janet Martin

1 Tim. 4:12

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young,

 but set an example for the believers

 in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

3 John 1:4

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

The Best That Boast Can Laud (begins and ends with God)

Happy...Friday?!! Already😅🙏💗

So many sweet photo-op skies this week...

Below, just a few!

Col.1:15-17

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

  16For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth,

visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities.

 All things were created through Him and for Him.

17He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

All beauty we behold is divinely founded!

without God's mercy and might to hold it in place

it would all fall!

Artists, since the beginning mimic His creation,

all inspiration of God-breathed origin!

My poetic endeavors have been challenged this week

it seems. It flew by in a blink of blessing!

Mon.-Food safety and management course, 

Tues.-grand-sonny visit, appointment, small group gettogether,

Wed. finishing food prep and delivery for event mentioned here 

Thursday-Help my mom with spring-cleaning (forgot camera!!)😭

...and just like that!!! It's Friday!

Today I am prepping food and house 

for our youngest daughter's birthday celebration

on the weekend!

A whole bunch of friends staying over while 

Jim and I stay out😅💝

I began this poem yesterday morning!

The first line fell from Heaven as I stood admiring the sky

while rubbing sleep from my eyes...

Time’s fountain brims with life; it peals from belfries gold and gray

Its showstoppers run rife; God never takes a holiday

The Hand that tunes the tide that ebbs and flows with season-sweeps

Regales the countryside with color, crowned with boundless deeps

The best that boast can laud as brush and pen rush awe’s grandstands

Begins and ends with God; each work of art drawn from His hands

He grants the breathless dance of worship’s unrehearsed requiem

And cheers hope’s countenance with refreshment where mercies stream

In wonders of creation, from the wellspring of his Word

Reasons for celebration overflow and undergird

To kindle exaltation that is incomparable

Salvation’s invitation still extends to one and all

God’s goodness never ceases to thrill the soul that believes

Unrivaled masterpieces humble all mankind achieves

Thus, the best boast can muster as we meditate on This

Are endeavors to trust Him more because of Who He IS

His faultless Influence imparts the best that boast can laud

All art we woo from hands and hearts begins and ends with God

© Janet Martin

Every artist who ever has dipped pen or brush

 into inkwells and paint palettes

draws from scenes cupped and cradled in God's Hands!

Thus every work of art ought to be signed-

By His grace

For His glory!

He Sees the Little Sparrows Fall

Wake In Me (a Careful Wanting)

 Life is like a flower blooming on the grave that claims it due...

***

I love the group of fellow-believers I gather with

every Tuesday night, to open God's Word together,

to learn, to worship, to meditate on God's goodness and holiness,

 and to challenge and encourage each other in our walk by faith!

***

This morning my devotion included this glorious passage from Titus 3-

(which is kind of a continuance of our focus/discussion last night; 

God's holiness and our response/attitude in return

and our assurance of salvation through His shed blood)

4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,

 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, 

but because of his mercy. 

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,

 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, 

we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, 

so that those who have trusted in God may be careful 

to devote themselves to doing what is good. 

These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

***

A Prayer...

Wake in me a careful wanting for a heart, humble and true

Shield me from the futile flaunting of the follies of this world

Fill me, through Your word with wonder at the holiness of You

Awe me with the sacred splendor of love’s Majesty unfurled

Show me, oh, my precious Savior, (lest I stray) the way to walk

Let me not forget hope’s favor You suffered at Calvary

Fix my eyes in the direction of the cross You did not balk

Make my life like a reflection of the love that pardoned Me

Let no carnal care consume me with love’s opportunity

Life is like a flower blooming on the grave that claims it due

Thus Lord, wake a careful wanting for more of Your love for me

May it thwart the tempter’s taunting because of my love for You

© Janet Martin

Saviour, Lead Me Lest I Stray