Thursday, September 30, 2010

It Will Be Enough


The magnitude of my great need
Envelopes my mind
I’m tempted to yield to defeat
When in tones soft and kind
A blessed reassurance
Softly whispers from above
‘I am your Deliverance
And it will be enough’

The image of my wretchedness
Could blind my feeble eyes
Or cause a dread to sweep my soul
Until I realize
With hope renewed, this truth again
There is no other love
But One; which washes sinners clean
And it will be enough

Someday before His throne I’ll bow
I need not dread the hour
For in salvation’s crimson flow
He saves us by His power
There is naught that I can do
To earn this precious love
It is free for me and you
And it will be enough

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

He does not treat us as our sins deserve
Or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth
So great is His love for those who fear Him. Ps.103:10-11

Monday, September 27, 2010

No Other God......


The news with all its doom and gloom
Might cause our hearts to fear
For all across this sad old world
We know the end is near
As evil walks with evil
In an army cold with sin
Their captain is the devil
And they think that they will win

But the God who stood with David
To bring the giant down
Is the same God we serve today
He can’t be over thrown
He sealed the mouths of lions
Stood with Daniel in that den
And in the fiery furnace
No flame could scorch those men

Though man may boast of lesser gods
And claim a greater plan
No other God can live within
The hearts of fallen man
No other God can render peace
As hatred’s surges roll
Or bid the wind and waves to cease
Or save a sinful soul

And the God who created the heavens and earth
Abides with us alway
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
Is still the same today
No other god can go before
Or ever take His place
No other God holds our reward
Or saves us by His grace

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

Jesus Christ, the same
Yesterday, today and forever. Heb. 13:8

In Him we have redemption through His blood;
The forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches
Of His grace…Ephes. 1:7

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Carpet of Sod


Upon the carpet of the earth
Meets our misery and mirth
Upon the splendor and the spoil
Still we tarry and we toil
We are pilgrims of the sod
On a journey up to God

Upon a sad, sin-stained plateau
Seasons come and seasons go
There is naught a man can do
To detain an hour or two
But the Hand that turns the wheel
Sees the humble pilgrim kneel

As He paints each field and hill
In the colors of his will
As His splendor cloaks the world
In a wreath of love unfurled
On this carpet made of sod
We can touch the hand of God

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

Dawn.......


Like a glimmer of breathless expectation
A tremor above the horizon-line
A soundless softening of creation
As the deeper shades resign
To the whisper of the heavens
Though the night’s dark veil is drawn
Just behind this heavy curtain
Lies the splendor of the dawn

See the mellowing of purple
Hint of gold beyond the blue
As a Power; silent, subtle
Breathes a sigh of gentler hue
On this bed of darkened fallow
On a plain of sad despair
See His love, a golden halo
Gleaming on this groaning sphere

Like a symbol of His awesome wonder
Morning spills across the earth
Like a soundless golden thunder
It envelopes the universe
See the light of His great glory
See the wonder of the Son
Oh, before this day is history
May another soul be won

Like a glimmer of breathless expectation
A tremor in the heart of God
He extends another pleading invitation
To the cold, unbroken sod
He yearns to see a soundless softening
Before eternity’s dark veil is drawn
For just behind this heavy, silent curtain
Waits the glory of an endless Dawn

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

Friday, September 24, 2010

On Coveting......

When I vainly yearn and crave
For the things I do not have,
When foolishly I fret and pine
For the things that are not mine
It seems that I should not deserve
The many blessings that I have……..
It seems that I should look above
And thank God for His grace and love

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

It's a Beautiful Life



The red sun just broke through the wall of dark gray
Flooding the dawn with its light
Bursting into a fiery display
I gaze with rapturous delight
Suddenly all of my trouble and pain
All of my worry and strife
Seem small; I see Your glory again
Oh, it’s a beautiful life

A big old crow heralds the dawn
I smile at his raucous cry
I guess each sings with the voice he is given
Glory to God on high
Trouble and turmoil there ever will be
But God guides us through the strife
There’s not a moment that He cannot see
Oh, it’s a beautiful life

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

I’m thinking this morning of those
Who need to look hard to see the beauty.
Flood victims in Pakistan,
Trapped miners in Chile,
The orphans of Africa,
Intense need in many countries and hearts………
The list is endless
And yet there God is…..
Oh God, wrap Your arms around them


I

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Like a Song.........


Like a song, like a song in the dead of the night
Your love whispers to me
Above the demons, which seem to delight
In torment and misery
Into my inner heart of hearts
Sweet is the lullaby
Heavenly music; how great Thou art
As Your love flows from on high

Blessed are the poor in spirit, You say
Ah Lord, I am poor indeed
It seems I awake to a brand new day
To suffer a brand new need
Blesses are those who mourn and weep
When will my tears cease to flow?
There are so many who carelessly sleep
Without a Savior, you know
Blessed indeed are the humble and meek
Oh Lord, may I thus be
The spirit is willing; the flesh is weak
And I am so foolish, you see
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst
For things that are pure and right
Oh God, the food of this world is cursed
Guide my appetite
Blessed are the merciful, tender and kind
God, such as You are to me
May I in return help another to find
Your fountain of love rich and free
Blessed are the pure; in this wretched world
So stained with greed and lust
As all the forces of sin are unfurled
Oh God, in Thee we trust
Blessed are the peacemakers, though there may be
Turmoil and endless strife
If we hold His hand there is victory
At the end of this little life
Blessed are you, oh children of men
If you are hated and cursed
As You declare your love for Him…
For someday the last shall be first

Like a song, like a song in the dead of night
You whisper tenderly
Blessed are those who choose to do right
Someday they will dwell with me
Into my inner heart of hearts
Oh what a sweet hope is stirred
As I feel the mercy that never departs
And I hear the love of His word

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

Matthew 5:1-12

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Unexpectedly......


Sometimes it seems in the most sudden way
Or unexpected place
A grand realization floods over me
And tears stream down my face
I see all the pitiful things that I do
And wonder how it can be
That every day my whole life through
Jesus still loves me

It seems too often I give him my worst
But He returns His best
I am surely of man most cursed
But He has sealed my Rest
When I am lonely, discouraged or blue
He whispers so tenderly
Child, my love is faithful and true…..
…….Ah yes, my Jesus loves me

No height nor depth, nor width nor breadth
Can ever separate
His precious children from His love
And as I contemplate
His goodness to the sons of men
I cannot comprehend…..
My teardrops start to flow again
Oh Jesus, what a Friend

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

I was reading a bedtime story to my daughter
Tonight……..and suddenly I paused…..too long.
She looked up at me and noticed tears streaming
Down my face…..
“You’re crying over an Uncle Arthur Bedtime Story?????”
She asked incredulously……
I told her I’m not really crying over the story…
I’m crying over the love!!!!!
It was a story about a little girl
who gave away her most precious dolly
to someone very needy!
I told her that I got to thinking…..
God loved us so much that He gave His very, very
Precious Son………..

Monday, September 20, 2010

Before Eternity.....


The day of Grace will soon be past
That final trump shall blow
As all the Godless souls are cast
To outer depths below
Like lightning from the east to west
So His coming will be
And then at last the pilgrim rests….
….and then , eternity

We’ll bow before His holiness
On trembling, humble knee
Where every tongue will now confess
That this is surely He…..
The One who took the form of man
And died upon a cross
Obedient to Salvation's plan
So not one soul is lost

The day of Grace will soon be past
But now we plead and pray
Appealing to His kind patience
Please wait just one more day
There are so many dead in sin
Perhaps today will be
The day when they will turn to Him…
….before eternity

All rights Reserved
Janet Martin

...bear in mind that our
Lord's patience means salvation...2 Pet.3:15


Today if you hear His voice,
do not harden your heart. Heb.3:8

For God so loved the world
that He gave His only Son
That whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have
eternal life. John 3:16

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Jesus......


Jesus; sweet music is His name
What comfort fills each breath
Jesus; He took our sin and shame
To save our souls from death
Jesus; from His hands and feet
Redemption’s river flowed
Jesus; making us complete
When His grace is bestowed

Jesus; what fellowship divine
While sorrow's ages roll
Jesus; what blessed hope is mine
My brokenness made whole
Jesus; strengthening the weak
Restoring what was cursed
Jesus; Counselor to the meek
And Water for our thirst

Jesus; how His mercy gleams
His goodness never falters
Bring Him all your broken dreams
And leave them on the altars
Jesus; Father, Shepherd, Friend
He’ll never let us go
Jesus; Faithful to the end
Jesus; I love You so

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

....and you are to give him
the name JESUS,
because He will save His people
from their sins. Matt.1:21

The wonder of His name filled me
with awe during the worship service this morning!
Oh, may that awe never fade!!!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

To Serve.....


Oh God, we do not need a badge
Or special qualities
We do not need to pass a test
But one, down on our knees
If we have whispered ‘I believe’
We need no other merit
We have all that we will need
To serve the Holy Spirit

No accolades, no knighthood grand
No title or degree
We simply need to hold the Hand
That bled for you and me
For what more can this old world bring
In honor or estate
We are children of a King
The world chooses to hate

We do not need a special gown
No garb of royalty
Someday we will receive a crown
If we’re in his army
There is no fame we must acquire
No ladder we must climb
All we need is the desire
To give to Him our time……..

…….and if we give in His dear Name
There is no great or small
For to our Lord it’s all the same
He sees them, one and all
To serve our precious Lord and King
All we need is love
Then no matter what we bring
It will be enough

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin


And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water
to one of these little ones because he is my disciple
I tell you the truth,
he will ceratinly not lose his reward. Matt.10:42

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Letting Go....


I can't, Oh God, I simply can't
I whispered wearily
"I know," He said, "But child, I CAN
So why won't you let Me?"

Janet Martin

....for My power is made perfect
in weakness. 2 Cor.12:9

The Circle of Life...


An empty canvas, dormant, still
But then life begins stirring
As tiny whispers move until
A form begins incurring
Hidden from the eyes of man
Yet powerful and certain
Part of a greater, fuller plan
Though hid beneath a curtain

And then the Force of heaven and earth
Breathes with holy wonder
As the miracle of birth
Casts mans great feats asunder
For none can cause a seed to sprout
Or alter nature’s courses
And even hardened hearts that doubt
Acknowledge greater Forces

The tiny bud produces thought
As thought burgeons to reason
Yet all by higher powers wrought
The Hand which rules each season
And still reason expands and grows
To form ideals and knowledge
The Planter sees, the Planter knows
What lies beneath the foliage

In glorious bloom the flower thrives
Prime produces wisdom
The purple fades; …it droops, then dies
Awaiting future kingdoms
This is the law of Time and Life
From seed to bud to blooming
Before it yields its form to earth
Returned to its beginning

This is the circle of life, we say
Ah yes, perhaps tis true
But unlike plants mans greater day
Awaits beyond the blue
Ashes to ashes dust to dust
A brief mortality
In God we hope, in God we trust
For life’s eternity

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

I am Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last,
The beginning and the End. Rev.22:13

Praises.......


In gratitude our songs we raise
To hierarchies above
In humble never-ending praise
For gracious perfect love
A love that can’t be bought with things
Attained or ever won
A love wrought by an offering
Through Jesus Christ, God’s Son

We bow in worship at His feet
This One True God of all
Through His dear Son makes us complete
As on His name we call
And still He does not leave us then
….enough that He has died
But his Spirit dwells within
To comfort and to Guide

He will not leave us comfortless
A promise through the ages
Sufficient in our loneliness
He never will forsake us
Receive, oh Lord our humble praise
And may all others see
Your love reflected in my face
As You reside in me

All rights Reserved
Janet Martin


This morning as the cooler rains came
We dug out coats, boots, umbrellas……..
……had a few choices for a warm breakfast,
I thanked Him for our blessings, then
Realized they all would be empty
And meaningless without his perfect
Gift of love and grace!!!!

My grace is sufficient for thee. 2 Cor. 12:9

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Release......


Someday before our wanting eyes
He will rend these silent skies
The Rider with His host of light
Will end earth’s sad and weary plight
At last the object of our faith
Will become sight upon this earth

No pain or suffering anymore
Transported to another shore
No tear to ever dim the eye
No sad or disappointed sigh
They remain in sins dark sea
Where Death will weep eternally

This life is but a fleeting breath
In Him we will not suffer death
But in His perfect tender will
Every longing He’ll fulfill
In grand and heavenly courts above
Beneath the scepter of His love.

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

All I have is a lousy cold!!
This morning I prayed for all
who suffer every day!!!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

The Evidence of Him


The evidence of Him is everywhere
Brimming from land and sea and air
Scaling the highest point on earth
Lying beneath the ocean’s girth
Great wonder and mystery combine
Within the clasp of God’s design

Not a convergence of cosmic forces
Putting in place all the stars and their courses
Not an evolving coincidence
Where we are the victims of circumstance
God has a plan for each precious child
Living where man has destroyed and defiled

We are not merely formed molecules
Deciding for ourselves who is God; who rules
Worshipping the created instead of Creator
Yet each day there is evidence of the Mediator
We may choose to reject the beauty of Him
But someday we will bow ‘neath His diadem

The evidence of Him; an intangible truth
He whispers within at the hour of birth
The Giver of life, the conqueror of death
He holds in his power every mortal breath
And though we may simply possess faith so dim
Tis enough to behold the evidence of Him

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

Friday, September 10, 2010

His Promises....


Some laugh and scoff, some mock and jeer
The warning Voice they boldly spurn
In ignorance they scoff and sneer
‘This One who said He will return
Where is He now, this Holy God?
Has He forgotten what He said’?
And carelessly some choose to trod
Beneath their feet His sacred Head

Some choose to stop the Voice within
Loudly declaring unbelief
Deceived, they choose the road of sin
A one way path to endless grief
And some will testify and swear
There is no living God above
They have ears but cannot hear
The Voice of everlasting love

Some stood beneath the blood-stained tree
Mocking and challenging the Son
They cried, ‘If you are really He
Then save yourself and come on down’
With heavy rocks they sealed the tomb
Satisfied that hate had won
But earth could never hold the Groom
The great I AM, God’s only Son

Some turn to look at Calvary
And see their sad and hopeless fate
They see His love so full and free
Pouring on the hands of hate
Before His tender love they fall
Repenting, crying ‘I believe’
And He hears their earnest call
As full redemption they receive

For every knee will someday bow
And every tongue will then confess
He has declared it to be so
And He keeps all his promises
‘Behold, I’m coming soon,’ He said
‘And My reward will be with Me
I’ll judge the living and the dead
And then….and then…eternity’

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin


First of all you must understand
In the last days scoffers will come…..2 Pet.3:3

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promises
As some understand slowness.
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish,
But everyone to come to repentance. 2 Pet.3:9

I tell you the truth,
Anyone who will not receive
the kingdom of God like
a little child
shall never enter it. Luke 18:17

Peace, Be Still


Lord, help me walk humbly before You
Showing by my fruits that I truly adore You
Open my eyes, others needs to see
So they can see You reflected in me
Anoint my lips as Your wonders I sing
How blessed am I to serve a King

Life seeks to rob me of Your peace
But Lord, as temporal storms increase
May I recognize Your power
Reigning in the darkened hour
The winds and waves obey Your will
Quiet me then as you say, Peace, be still

I can only safely stand
If I’m holding to Your hand
Lord, You will never let me go
Though the tides may ebb and flow
In the waves of doubt and fear
Oh my Father, hold me near

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin


He replied, “You of little faith,
Why are you so afraid?”
Then He got up, rebuked the wind and the waves
And it was completely calm.
The men were amazed and asked
“What kind of man is this
That even the wind and the waves obey Him?” Matt.8:26-27

Thursday, September 9, 2010

In Me.....


To wallow in doubt and self-pity
Is to defy His existence in me
To walk in the dark when I can’t see a thing
Is to believe in the power of Him
To surrender my all I must first let go
And only then can I truly know
What His perfect will would be
This is the power of Christ in me


All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

But He said to me,
My grace is sufficient for
you, for my power is made
perfect in weakness.

2 Cor. 12:9

He Is There......


The daylight breathes behind the veil
Of dark and charcoal seas
And e’en before the brink turns pale
We feel it on the breeze
A whisper in the raven tress
A murmur on the sod
A Presence in the cool stillness
The deity of God

Life’s joy and sorrow weaves a shroud
The cloak we all must wear
And still beyond the sun and cloud
We know that He is there
A chant within fair nature’s chord
A throb upon the earth
A Presence of the King and Lord
Of this grand universe

We kneel in thanks at close of day
Fold weary hands in prayer
He wraps His love across our way
Though we can’t see Him there
We feel Him in our heart of heart
A comfort in life’s rain
The Mighty God of heaven and earth
Dwells in the heart of man

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

You hem me in--behind and before,
You have laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty to attain......

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from Your Presence?
If I go up to the heavens
You are there....
If I make my bed in the depths
you are there....Psalms 139:5-8

Monday, September 6, 2010

They Pass Away



What is a book?
Or what is fame?
They are another’s words
And another’s name
That new hit single
Will soon be number one
But where does it go
When its climb is done
It will follow all others
Into decay
For everything in this life
Will pass away

Wreaths on a grave-stone
Clouds in the sky
Blooms on the grapevine
The tear in our eye
The storm in its fury
The calm of the morn
Youth in its beauty
All dies that is born
The bud then the glory
And the slow sad decay
This life and each story
Will pass away

The knowledge of scholars
The wisdom of age
The rise of a nation
May grace this earth’s stage
The dormant fallow
The dell rich and green
The winter and summer
And all in between
The lonely, the lovely
The bright and the gray
Mere drops on a canvas
That will pass away

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

Heaven and earth will pass away,
But My words will never pass away. Matt.24:35

Friday, September 3, 2010

Come and See


Shout to the Lord, ye children of men
Sing glory to His name
He beholds our wretchedness
And loves us just the same
His awesome works on man’s behalf
Never fades or falters
Yet He never scorns or laughs
At prayers from feeble altars

Come then, let us all rejoice
And let His praise be heard
Lift your heart and lift your voice
To join the singing bird
The enemy will cringe in fear
Before His holy face
But all His children feel Him near
He is in every place

Come and see what God has done
He turns our seas to land
He rules forever from his throne
Yet dwells in hearts of man
Come then, and behold his power
His eyes behold all nations
Every creature, every flower
Are fruits of His creation

He preserves our very lives
And keeps our feet from slipping
He refines us with His fire
Our hands and feet equipping
Come and listen everywhere
This God who sets us free
Will not reject his children’s prayers
Or withhold love from thee

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

Psalms 66

Thursday, September 2, 2010

The Best....


Lord, we don’t deserve a thing……
…..Your blessings or your love
And all that we would give a King
Can never be enough
For You deserve the very best
And yet it seems to me
So oft we give you what is left
The ‘last-fruits’ of the tree

We spurn your love yet in return
You love us tenderly
And if for mortal joys we yearn
You wait so patiently
With gentle arms You draw us near
If we call out Your name
Softly You remove the fear
And wash away the blame

Lord, we don’t deserve the best
And yet You freely give
Your love; what wonder fills each breath
Because You died we live
The very best that we can bring
Will never be enough
What can we give a King of kings?
We can give Him our love

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin



We Love Him, Because He First Loved Us
1 John 4:19

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

I Love Summer More.....


Dear God, I love the wind that blows
From skies of hazy blue
I love the iridescent glows
Of brilliant autumnal hue
I love the cider freshly-pressed
The fall mums at my door
The sedums, red and boldly dressed
But I love summer more

I love the green tree brushed with gold
Or decked in flaming red
I love the flower growing old
And petal-tears they shed
I love the bare and wanton fields
The harvest that they bore
I love the fruit that autumn yields
But I love summer more

Dear God I will not fret or pine
As summer bows her head
Into Your hand I will resign
My foolish will instead
But as I lay me down to sleep
And soft warm memories pour
Forgive me Lord, if I should weep
For I love summer more

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

You care for the land and water it;
You enrich it abundantly. Ps.65:9