Looking for Love

She hides in the closet and covers her ears
The darkness her solace to hide all the tears
While Mommy and Daddy are fighting and yelling
When can she be happy; there’s really no telling?
As she whispers to no one and cries to the walls
“I just need someone to love me, that’s all”
In that dank little corner, the darkness her cover
She can’t help but wonder. Will anyone love her?
And she cries…..looking for love

With sad eyes she searches through the smoke and the gloom
A drunken hero lurches across the bar-room
Is he coming to see her, to tell her she’s sweet?
Maybe he will take her to a room down the street
In the arms of a stranger, the darkness her cover
She’ll risk all the danger; she needs someone to love her
She cries as she’s thinking and hating her deed
She weeps as she’s drinking and drowning her need
And she cries…..looking for love

She panics in fear for soon she will show
And people will sneer for her deed they will know
She weeps for the sorrow that grows in her womb
No hope for tomorrow, how loveless her doom
So she looks for an answer then heeds cold advice
That snuffs out the heart-beat with fingers of ice
She lies in a puddle of hatred and grief
Recalls how she’d huddle in the dark for relief
And she cries…..looking for love

Someone is standing in the door of a chapel
She sees they are handing out shiny red apples
Her deep inner hunger is a cold raging fire
She can wait no longer for her life-time desire
She’s drawn to the door by this kind-hearted smile
But she’s reaching for more than the fruit on a pile
As she gazes in longing at the warm, tender face
Her search for belonging accepts love’s embrace
And she cries….looking for love


And now there is peace, there’s a light in her gloom
A sweet, sweet release from her valley of doom
Some one has told her of a great God above
How He longs to hold her in His arms of love
Now she has a Father, a Savior and friend
Her searching is over as joyful tears blend
With tears of great sorrow for days of deep loss
But there’s hope for tomorrow at Calvary’s cross
And she smiles……for she has found love

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

Come unto Me, all you who are
weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Matt.11:28

His Eternal Love

The threshold of a new day yawns
Before my wondering gaze
As surely as a new day dawns
So too, amazing grace
And as I draw this thought to me
Of love that never dims
I cannot help but thankfully
Live every breath for Him

My visage surely cannot grasp
The wonder of it all
But just to think He loves us first
Compels me then to fall
Before the nail-scarred hands of love
And praise Him humbly then
For He so loved this world enough
To die for fallen men

Each sad attempt to satisfy
The hopeless void within
Each futile search to gratify
The appetite of sin
The stubborn and pathetic quest
To live life on my own
Are washed away by heaven’s Best
As I bow at His throne

The threshold of a new day lies
Un-trodden at our feet
And as we lift our wondering eyes
Up to His mercy seat
May He bestow in gentle love
The courage to go on
Until we touch His hand above
In an eternal dawn

Janet~



1 John 4:10 - This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Glory

Around my heart assurance flows
A soft and sacred gown
Oh, we must surely bear His cross
If we would wear a crown

Why do we seek life’s pleasant hills?
Or long for pleasures sweet?
We will not find true joy until
We linger at His feet

There is a road laid out for man
Appealing to the eye
But oh, the sorrow it will span
As we lay down to die

In death its foolish lusts will pass
As we have naught to show
But ashes in the waving grass
And torture far below

The road which leads to love and life
Is fraught with grief and hate
But we will glory in the strife
That leads to Heaven's gate

Janet~


All men will hate you because of me. Luke 21:17




1 But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy one of Israel, your Savior;

Isa. 43: 1-3

You Should Have Had a Palace

You should have had a palace, a soft and royal gown
A gentle little cradle and on Your head a crown
You should have had each stately hall filled with celebration
As earth received in helpless form the Hand of all creation

But instead of a palace, a stable with a lowly manger bed
Instead of a crown and a royal gown, no pillow for Your head
Instead of a ball in a stately hall, a hillside cold and dim
Where shepherds heard the angel’s word and came to worship Him

You should have had a chariot with a throne in which to ride
Golden flower petals to scatter at Your side
Purple and scarlet satin would be too plain a gown
Rubies, pearls and diamonds too lowly for Your crown

But instead of a chariot ,a donkey, a plain and homely beast
A piece of bread to remember Your death was Your parting feast
The scarlet You wore was the blood that poured from Your wounded side
Your crown was thorns and instead of a throne, a cross on which You died

I should have no hope or pardon, no reason to be glad
I should be bowed low in sorrow, in shame hang down my head
I should be mocked and beaten and hated all day long
Tears should be my bread and meat and weeping be my song

But instead of hate there was mercy, instead of death there was grace
Instead of doom and a cloud of gloom there’s a smile upon my face
Instead of a load on a hopeless road there is Heaven up above
And that cross on the hill is empty still because of a Savior’s love

It should have been me upon that cross instead of the King of kings
But so one soul should not be lost You endured my sufferings
Instead of a king a servant, You hung on the cross for me
May I praise You and in return forever Your servant be

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God
something to be grasped,
but made Himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness,
and being found in appearance
as a man, He humbled Himself and
became obedient to death,
even death on a cross! Phil.2: 6-8

On Trusting

It’s so easy to trust in Your power, God
If ‘yes’ is the reply You bestow
But when we pray teach us to trust
Even if the answer is ‘no’

Singing your praises comes naturally
As blessing pours into our hand,
Teach us to sing just as gratefully
When Your way we do not understand

Janet~
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. Isa. 55:8

Who Took My Place?

Bound by sins dark chains
Condemned and doomed stood I
No chance of hope to gain
As Justice raised her cry
“Only, only death for thee
No hope, no hope to be set free,”
But then came One with head bowed low
He said to Justice “let her go”
Oh, who is this who took my place?
With crimson teardrops on His face

The King of kings and Lord of lords
No higher title could there be
When Justice raised her angry sword
Someone took my place for me
Oh, my Lord, who could he be?
Who cared enough to set me free?
I raised my head to hear these words
The King of kings and Lord of lords

I fell upon the ground
As Justice screamed her plea
No reason could be found
That I should be set free
“Guilty, guilty,” was her cry
Her lone verdict “she must die,”
But then came One with head bowed low
He said to Justice “let her go”
Tell me tell me who could this be
Who would take my place for me?

The King of kings and Lord of lords
No higher throne will ever be
To describe, there are no words
To paint this holy deity
King of kings and Lord of lords
Oh my Savior can it be
The King of kings and Lord of lords
Who paid my debt to set me free?

King of kings and Lord of lords
The best that ever there will be
The King of kings and Lord of lords
Has paid the price to set me free

Janet

Here is your king, Pilate said to the Jews.
But they shouted,Take Him away! Take Him away!
Crucify Him!
Shall I crucify your King? Pilate asked...John 19:14-15

No Man

No man could quench the crimson flood
That crowned the sacred hill
No man could grasp this picture of
Submission to God’s will
As on a dark and cruel cross
He wrought salvation’s plan
And paid for the eternal loss
Of vile and hopeless man

No man could feel the anguish there
As Abba turned away
No man could understand His prayer
Or where His purpose lay
As there beneath a crown of thorn
He laid aside His glory
Clothed instead with body torn
To write love’s greatest story

No man could understand the power
As He cried, “It is finished”
Or realize here dawns the hour
Where death’s defeat diminished
And as the minds of feeble man
Saw death’s finality
No man could see love’s endless span
Secured at Calvary

No man could bar the Holy Tomb
Where Heaven’s Master lay
No man could know a Perfect Groom
Now waits his Wedding Day
No man could know the sacrifice
Of this One Perfect Lamb
Or realize the total price
Paid by the great I AM

But now all men may know He lives
He sets the captive free
In love and mercy He forgives
Our vast iniquity
Who-so-ever will may come
And now all men can know
He waits to welcome sinners home
Redeemed in Calvary’s flow

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

For the grace of God that brings salvation
has appeared to all men. Tit.2:11

Set Apart

Lord, teach me how to purpose
In my heart of hearts
To live in true obedience
As those You’ve set apart
And help me not to lean upon
The things that I can see
But to trust your promises
To be the power in me

My understanding at its best
Is but an earth-dimmed view
I would have no righteousness
If I did not have You
Then teach me how to humbly walk
In precepts of Your word
Make my witness more than talk
As I bow to You, Lord

Your Word; a faithful life-line
Upon this troubled sea
A beacon, holy and divine
To keep and comfort me
I would become so careless, Lord
Without this precious guide
For as I feed upon Your word
I feel You at my side

Janet~

Don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:7

In these uncertain times His word is certain!

…and what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. Micah. 6:8


22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22

1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. Ephes. 4: 1-5

Greater

There is a world of hurt out there
Brokenness and need
Disappointment and despair
Envy, lust and greed
There are hidden sorrows
Crosses hard to bear
Worry for tomorrow
But oh, thank God there’s prayer
And as we whisper to Him
He answers from above
Child, there is nothing greater
In this world than My love

Janet~

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

In the Cross

In the cross there’s forgiveness
There is victory
In the cross there is grace
For you and me
In the cross there is glory
Redemption and love
Unending mercy
Flowing from above

In the cross there is strength
There is guidance and light
There is freedom and power
And purpose to fight
In the cross there is comfort
Justification to men
In the cross there is life
As we bow to Him

In the cross there is kindness
Healing and hope
Salvation, compassion
As we stumble and grope
In the cross there is courage
As we trust His lead
In the cross there is everything
We ever will need

Janet~

1 Timothy 6:17 - Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.





Titus 3:7 - so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

As You Taught Us About Love....

You healed the sick and reached to the weak
We spit on your face and we smote your cheek
You pointed out the Way to Canaan Land
We drove the nails through Your out-stretched Hand
As You taught us about love
As You taught us about love

You cried because we could not see the Way
We stopped our ears at what You had to say
You showed us where our treasure bears no loss
We laughed and scorned and nailed You to the cross
As You taught us about love
As You taught us about love

You saw our sinful, dark and hopeless state
We returned Your love with cruel hate
Yet with Your last breath aloud You cried
“It is finished” then You died
As You taught us about love
As You taught us about love

You offered everything on our behalf
While we stood there and jeered and laughed
You saw the debt that we could never pay
We simply stared as Your life ebbed away
As you taught us about love
As You taught us about love……

…..as the veil in the temple was torn in two
As the earth trembled and mountains too
As the graves of Your people opened wide
Death was defeated in the Crucified
And the power of Your love
And the power of Your love

Lord, my feeble praises wilt Thou yet receive
You said You would save us if we just believe
I bow at Your feet unworthy to be there
You raise me up; accept my humble prayer
As You teach me about love
As You teach me about love

Janet~

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—John 1:12

Painter of the Sky

Someday I’ll cross the transient border-line
Dividing time from all eternity
And only words I’ve said and things I’ve done
Will be all that then remains of me
Oh, but you won’t need to cry
I’m going to meet the Painter of the sky

You ask me how I know I can be sure
That Heaven waits in my eternity
The love of Christ keeps His beloved secure
Because His precious blood has set me free
And someday in the nearer by and by
I’m going to meet the Painter of the sky

Someday I’ll stand in awe, not here below
But in some port beyond the setting sun
And I will feast my eyes upon the glow
Of Jesus Christ; as I bow at His throne
His nail-scarred hands will wipe each tear-drop dry
As I gaze at the Painter of the sky

Janet Martin~

The sun-set was breath-taking last night.

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens.
Who created all these? Isa. 40:26

1 John 5:11-13 (New International Version, ©2011)
11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Concluding Affirmations
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Number One

Seems like every day I hear a brand new boast
Something great that somebody has done
But they can never impress me most
Because for me my God is number one

He does not need a star or Hall of Fame
Citing the grand accolade He won
My God knows every star by name
And I’m so glad I know He’s number one

The music of this world stirs and inspires
As we applaud the latest, greatest song
But I know who orchestrates the angel choirs
He is God and He is number one

Who can change one’s stature, touch the sky?
Can any here direct the wind or sun?
I’m glad my only boast rules from on high
He is God and He is number one

Janet~

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Gal.6:14

Look at the Cross......

Look, look at the cross, no, no don’t look away
See loves sacred offering on gruesome display
See the thorns, wicked thorns so humbly worn
By the One who loved all; All the sick and forlorn,
The foolish, the wealthy, all those who would scorn
His dear name; so look at the cross on public display,
Not in some dark corner tucked dimly away
But up on a hill for the whole world to see
Perfect love, awesome love for you and me

Look, look at the cross, at the dear Lord’s face
Bearing the shame of public disgrace,
A face that was spat on, yet knew only love,
The face of a King from a kingdom above,
A face which has power earth and heaven to move
In a whisper; yet on it flow crimson tears
As He weeps, not in pain but in love so sincere
He calls out to His father from upon this tree
The symbol of hope for humanity

Look, look at the cross, at the hands that are bleeding,
Pierced through with nails and yet He is pleading
That man will find mercy in this holy flood,
Forgiveness and hope in a perfect Lambs blood,
Redemption pouring from the Son of God
His hands stretch out for all to see
That this is He who sets men free
Hands that ministered to man’s most humble need
Have fulfilled their greatest work indeed

So look at the cross, behold the Lamb
The beginning, the end, the Great I AM
Look at his body, pierced and bleeding
Love flowing down for all who are needing
The hope of a Savior, as still He is pleading
Forgive them; and as darkness and thunder descend
His cry is heard through all the land
‘It is finished,” and now there is hope for the lost
If we look at the cross, if we look at the cross…….

……….and if we look at the cross, at the out-stretched limb,
Behold the blood and the suffering,
If we gaze on His love and the wonder of Him,
Will we think to be saved on that final Day
If we look, turn our backs and walk away?


Janet Martin

Shall I crucify your King? Pilate asked. John 19:15

Absolutely Everything......

What can I add to what God has done for me?
Absolutely nothing
What can I do besides believe?
Absolutely nothing
What can take the place of His love?
Absolutely nothing
What else can seal my hope above?
Absolutely nothing
What can I do to detract from His grace?
Absolutely nothing
What can I give my sin-stains to erase?
Absolutely nothing

What can I gain from believing in Him?
Absolutely everything
What can I lose by turning from Him?
Absolutely everything
What can I give to show my love for Him?
Absolutely everything
What will it cost me to live for Him?
Absolutely everything
What must I do to receive favor from Him?
Absolutely nothing
What did He give to show His love for men?
Absolutely everything

Janet~

For God so loved the world
That He gave His only begotten Son
That whosoever believes on him should not perish
But have everlasting life. John 3:16


1 John 4:10 - This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.