I am posting my poetry at anotherporch.blogspot.com

This blog is giving me trouble both to load and to post so I am posting all poems on my other blog. Thank-you for visiting. Feel free to read and share.
To God be the glory!

You Love Me

For every vile deceitful thing I am

You love me

For ever doubtful thought of shame

You love me

I offer up my anger and my grief

In tender mercy You behold my unbelief

And You love me

For ever step I walk in Judas’ shoes

You love me

For every tender blessing I refuse

You love me

In recompense for my complaint and greed

Your endless grace provides my humble need

As You love me

For every deed of foolish ignorance

You love me

For every blatant wasted, second chance

You love me

Mercy, compassion, like an ocean roll

To wash the sin-stain from my wretched soul

For You love me

© Janet Martin

 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, 

that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1

I Know

I do not know…

before the sun

cajoles the western sky

what will befall,

but this I know

the Lord keeps you and I

I do not know 

what waits beyond

the dark and distant hill

but this I know

before me goes

a Father's perfect will

and this I know

the unknown waits

and I, a shell of dust

can simply place

my hand in His

and in His wisdom trust

© Janet Martin

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and do not lean on your own understanding...Prov. 3:5

Awesome Acknowledgements

Oh God, who can paint on an infinite nothing?

Has ever a man brushed his thought on the air?

Who on this earth can arrange the vast heavens?

Or shift nebulosity with naught but a stare?

Who can design, from the seed its fulfillment?

Man can do nothing but what you allot

The fruit of the field, of forest and garden

Blooms by the measure of Creator’s thought

Who teaches the bud of flower to open?

Or tells the tree its season to leaf?

Has ever a man plucked the rain from the heavens?

Or ordered the wind’s velocity to cease?

How fearful the greatness of our dependence

But for a God who loves us so much

That not one pebble escapes His vigilance

Hope and forgiveness exudes every touch

…and He who arranges the colors of heaven

Or stuns man’s babble to quieted awe

Seeks ultimately, intimately, the best for His children

For in Heaven and earth there is none like God

© Janet Martin

No one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. Jer. 10:6

We gathered there...some on the bluff, others down on the beach
each with our own version of  'watching the sun set...'

Thursday Thoughts~

 He walks on water...the Keeper of the storm

Even the wind and the waves obey Him

...how much more then, ought we?

It is only when we come to the end of ourselves

That God can begin…

For all the good it does not do

Sometimes she wonders

What might have been?

Salty tears

A great heart-cleanser

To love is not the same
as being 'in love'
 

Though duty may shorten its leash

It cannot keep the sun from smiling

Or nature from spilling its art

Through my window; nor can it quell

In the busyness of toil

The music of love in my heart

Come sunlight or shadow

Come high tide or low

God IS; ever changeless

Wherever we go

The Rock of Ages is Ageless

I cannot see the way ahead

Its portend or its girth

So I will put my faith instead

In God of Heaven and earth

He leads me

..Sometimes I am too stubborn to follow

He guides me

…sometimes I am too blinded by self to see

He loves me

…sometimes I forget just how much

Until I remember Calvary

Some friends flutter by

Like a butterfly

…and some are a fly in life’s butter

Some stick, not like honey in your hair

But closer than a brother

 Janet~

Softly Touching our Hand

Gold fingers reach from a cloak gently softening

Over serene valley, blue-brimming with mist

Into the meadow, where its humble offering

Is threaded with diamonds of dew-silver kiss

The brook winds its sash across spring's emerald garment

Through pastoral wood-lot and out to the sea

Forgotten ponds burst with songs of the season

Turquoise-jade patches on earth’s rugged knee

Gentle breeze rouses the bird from its slumber

Nature’s choristers fill somnolent space

As over the earth spreads a heavenly wonder

Of unmarred perfection; a new day of grace

Yester's red sun, as it slipped from our visage

Tugged with it the day, into history’s embrace

Now it rises again; yet is not encumbered

With past’s soiled attempts; but a new day of grace

And we turn to the Master-piece dazzling the acre

Where grace has allowed us a dot on time’s sands

Thankfulness rushes through our hearts like pure water

As a new day of mercy softly touches our hands

© Janet Martin

It is not difficult to see His beauty on a morning like this…

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Ps. 118:24

Trouble Me Not...

Trouble me not; oh fear of tomorrow

Unknown is the visage of future intent

Trouble me not; oh yesterday’s sorrow

Firm is the seal on a moment when spent

Trouble me not; oh guilt that would haunt me

But for the Hands bearing scars in my stead

Trouble me not; though failure would taunt me

But for the Hope as my pardon flows red

Trouble me not; restless oceans of longing

Vain are the futile endeavors of dust

But oh, what fulfillment and peace in belonging

To He in whom we can affix our trust

Trouble me not; Lord, I plead for Your presence

To conquer the demons that quake ‘neath Your gaze

When I am weak God, Your strength is perfected

As I relinquish my will to Your ways

© Janet Martin

 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, 

for my power is made perfect in weakness. 

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, 

so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  2 Cor. 12:9

Because of Him

Because of the grace and the love He has shown

Because of His word that will not pass away

We have a foundation of rare, precious Stone

A blueprint for living as we build day by day

Because of His absolute forgiveness of sin

We are set free from the burden of guilt

No condemnation remains deep within

Redemption impartial flows in His life-blood spilt

Because of His infinite mercy and care

Hope will sustain us in spite of travail

We have a Father who does not despair

His way is perfect; His love will not fail

© Janet Martin

Let no man deceive himself.

If any man among you seems to be wise in this world

let him become a fool that he may be wise.

for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.

For it is written: He takes the wise in their own craftiness. 1 Cor. 3:18-19

Do Not Despair

Do not despair

Though grief and care

May bleed our laughter dry

And mortal pain

May seek to drain

The well-spring in our eye

Do not give up

Though pleasure’s cup

Is cracked or sadly scarred

There is an ear

Bent close to hear

The groaning of the heart

Do not dismay

A fairer day

Awaits beyond the vale

As step by step

He lifts us up

In arms that never fail

© Janet Martin

 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isa. 41:10

The Unknown

 

 

The unknown; an inevitable strait

All voyages pass through

There is no one who can escape

This ethereal avenue

We stand upon life’s open deck

And sail the roving sea

Only our Captain can predict

What the Unknown will be

Fear not the waves beneath the calm

Fear not the stormy gale

The Captain holds within His palm

The ocean and the sail

© Janet Martin

 

 http://www.esvbible.org/Psalm+139/

Our understanding at best, O God

Is inadequate and trite

On our own each breath a fraud

And every moment, night

Our perception without Your Spirit

Is blinded ignorance

And Death, O death, how I would fear it

But for deliverance

Your mercy, hope and love fulfills

Your changeless eye of grace

The tempter wears ten-thousand ills

Deceiving human race

Our understanding will ever be

Only what God imbues

Therefore but by His grace go we

On earth-bound avenues

Beyond these briefest stance of Time

Our eyes will see anew

As we behold Love, pure, sublime

Oh God, as we see you

© Janet Martin

Behold the Lamb of God

which takes away the sins of the world. John 1:29

"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose" -- Jim Elliot

Royal Wedding

Behold: look yonder

See what breaks the ramparts of the sky

As golden thunder

Sends the stars in showers from on high

Behold; who comes

In royalty on heaven’s mercy seat

With angel legions at his side

Winged creatures at His feet

Behold; what sounds

What fills the air with roar of rushing water?

And who descends

With glory rare in search of Zion’s daughter?

Behold; behold

It is the Lord. Behold the Bridegroom comes

As hallelujah fills the air

His bride is coming home

Behold the Love

He sees her there in linens bright and clean

Behold the blood

That cleansed Her where vile sin-stains once had been

Behold the song

That rends the earth; behold the great I AM

‘Blessed are those invited to

The wedding of the Lamb’

© Janet Martin

Then a voice came from the throne, saying:
"Praise our God,
all you his servants,
you who fear him,
both great and small!"

6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
"Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

7 Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.

8 Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear."
(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God's holy people.)

9 Then the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!" And he added, "These are the true words of God."

Rev. 19: 5-9

Four Easter Tankas

While I chose my pride He chose three nails and a cross A spear in his side While rivers of holy blood Poured in streams of redemption *** While I stood with them Scoffing to hide my just fear He gave perfect love As He bowed His thorn-crowned Head Declaring, ‘it is finished’ *** While I stood condemned Jesus signed my redemption With His sacred blood And now all who will believe May have everlasting life… *** (I was going to stop here, but how can I? One more tanka of humble grateful praise) Sing hallelujah Lift your voice in joyful praise Christ reigns forever This King calls us His children All we must do is believe ~Janet Martin~

Grand Privilege

It is no small thing
This privilege we are given
To approach the throne of grace
And God of earth and Heaven
To make our wants and wishes known
And claim His victory as our own

It is no mere thought
That we can freely call
Upon the Name of Christ the Lord
Creator of us all
That He who formed us from the dust
May be the One in whom we trust

When we beckon to Him
It is no casual place
That we approach with love and shame
To kneel in His embrace
But by His holy Blood-drops spilt
He vanquishes our debt of guilt

It is no small thing
This little word called prayer
As He makes intercession
For those groans we cannot air
And there He lavishes on us
The hope we find in Him, JESUS!

© Janet Martin


Pray without ceasing; 1 Thess. 5:17

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26

God Forbid...

God forbid that I should worship
Temporal gods of clay and rust
Gathering in my groping visage
Treasure-chests of painted dust

God forbid that I should journey
From the cradle to the grave
Only then to find in horror
They are powerless to save

God forbid that I should hunger
In the wantonness of things
Choosing never to discover
Heaven’s sacred offerings

God forbid, as centuries trickle
Through the clouds above a stone
That I should thus remain forever
Bound by gods without a throne

© Janet Martin

Ark of Safety

Upon the shores of grace we stand
Where Time and Mercy plead
Before wrath’s flood will wash earth’s sand
Into eternity

The ark is built; the door ajar
And whosoever will
May come into its sure stronghold
Before Time’s clock stands still

As in the days of Noah; now
Because of unbelief
The Master waits; lengthens the hour
Before sin’s final grief

Today He pleads and suffers long
He beckons to each mortal
Eternity lays in His palm
Trembling on heaven’s portal

As in the days of Noah, He
Implores, yearns and beseeches
For this last Ark will not return
When He closes its reaches

Upon the shores of grace we kneel
Oh, how long will He tarry?
Before the door of Mercy seals
The seeker from its safety

© Janet Martin

This morning the little guy I babysit and I were looking at view-master reels. One reel was Noah’s Ark. One picture caught my breath…the last two animals…turtles,(cute:) were through the door and it was closing, never to open on this side of the flood.

Now we see another door, still open. When it will close, not even the angels know. Only the One True God…I AM knows the day and the hour...


Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION” 2 Cor.6:2

Miracles

He stirs the sod and wooden limb
With miracles uncommon
As nature, in grand diadem
Exalts the God of Heaven

The willing hands, the humble hearts
He fills with power glorious
And by the wisdom He imparts
They will return victorious

Within the acorn; oak trees wait
Within a drop; a fountain
Within a mustard seed of faith
The strength to move a mountain

Celestial ramparts shout His praise
And cause our minds to wonder
At mysteries beyond those gates
In portals over yonder

Janet Martin

Last night on the way home from my son's hockey game it struck me...
the days are getting longer once again...and Time is getting shorter.


For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness
and praise spring up before all nations. Isa. 61:11

We Are Beautiful

There is a wondrous beauty
Clothing us from deep within
Beneath the shallow proof of Time
Caressed upon our skin

The mirror does not show the man
Only our mortal face
It graciously conceals the span
Of our vast disgrace

Yet, God in tender love and grace
To all who trust His name
Clothes us with His pure righteousness
In garments without shame

The world may judge our clothes and frown
But they cannot behold
The beauty of a royal gown
Clothing a blood-bought soul

© Janet Martin

I read this verse this morning and rejoiced.


I delight greatly in the LORD;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Isa. 61:10

Beyond this Battle

Hold our hands, we cannot see
Beyond the steps we take
God, be our steadfast surety
For You make no mistake
And oh, we are so prone to stray
As pastures beckon, come
Be our Captain through the fray
Guide this battalion home

The unknown is a gaping void
Of misery and fear
Hope would swiftly be destroyed
Without Your Presence near
But as we feel Your tender touch
Sustaining faithfully
We do not need to fear so much
The things we cannot see

The fight is not forever Lord
The hour is at hand
When we will leave our temporal swords
In plough-shares made of sand
Oh God, it seems we see You etched
Against the setting sun
Into the trenches, arms out-stretched,
We hear You calling come

…and so we press toward Your arms
The battle is not done
This world with all its empty charms
Is but the stepping-stone
A plot of dirt on which we stand
Reaching in humble trust
To hold Your gracious out-stretched hand
Your glory to our dust…

The victory banner waves on high
Beyond this tear-stained plight
Hold our hands and be our Guide
Within the thickest fight
Through enemy lines we will forge
The battle is not long
Hold our hands and lead us, Lord
Oh, keep your warriors strong


Janet Martin

I saw the movie War Horse last night.
The final scene touched me immensely...
A picture of weary, wounded warriors coming home.

This I Know...

I do not know
How it is that each rose unfolds
In pure and flawless splendor
Or how an infinity of planets
Exists beyond our visage
A glorious mystery, uncharted
I do not know
How it is that you are far from me
Yet ache in every heartbeat
Or how waters flow unceasingly
Yet its source is not depleted
I do not know what brings the robin
To its nest in the same tree
Or how a world beneath the ocean
Can exist in untainted beauty
I do not know
How many days remain to tread this sod
Or who will be the first to go
But one thing I do know…
I know whom I have believed
And am persuaded that he is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day. (2 Tim. 1:12)
I know He is the One True God

Janet~

The Lovely Flower

Kindness is a lovely flower
One cannot force its seed
But there is nothing like the power
Of kindness touching need

Kindness is a lovely bloom
It needs no pot or bowl
Its fragrance fills the dreary room
And cheers the down-cast soul

Kindness is a stunning rose
Of pure and humble beauty
Its root in selfless visage grows
And never out of duty

Kindness is a lovely flower
All can afford its splendor
In every season, every hour
Its bloom is fair and tender

Janet~

)Be kind to one another, tenderhearted,forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephes. 4:32

Undying Need

Lord, give me a need undying
And never let me stray
Nor lean on my understanding
But to need You every day

Lord give me eyes to see You
Within each little flower
To know the Hand that formed its cup
Holds me through every hour

Lord, give me ears to hear you
As nature throbs Your dues
For if You hear a sparrow’s song
Then you will hear mine too

Lord, give me faith to need You
When everything is fine
And never take a single step
Without Your hand on mine

Lord, give me an undying need
To need you every day
Lest in my folly I should lead
And sadly go astray

Janet Martin

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want…Ps. 23

Answers...

‘God answered my prayer’
She happily beamed
From the fruit of her granted request
I smiled for a child
Is allowed to gleam
With the thrill of wee faith put to test
Someday she will see
When she’s old like me
That God answers each prayer we pray
And for our own good
Because we ask, not as we should
His reply is not always our way

Janet~

Just because we cannot see
The answer bright and clear
Is not an indication
That somehow God did not hear
His answers are a mystery
We cannot understand
We simply put our trust in Him
Who holds us in His hands

You Are Not Alone

When midnight is lonesome and heavy and deep
When need in your bosom is stronger than sleep
When longing is clenching the hope from your soul
And life is a journey without a clear goal
You are not alone

When empty arms yearn for someone to embrace
When love’s loss has stolen the thrill from life’s race
When cold lonely hours bleed away, undefined
And night’s endless hollow expands in your mind
You are not alone

When tears of desire and helpless despair
Weep in every heart-beat and breathe on the air
When only the darkness responds to your plea
And nothing but silence keeps you company
You are not alone

Someone is waiting to be a true Friend
Arms full of mercy and grace without end
God so loved the world that He sent His dear Son
He is a true, faithful Friend to each one
You are not alone


What can we do His fellowship to receive?
All we can do is simply believe
His grace sufficient is love’s offering
Tender, omniscient are the words of a King
“You are not alone”

Janet

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matt. 28:20

Is This It?

Is this all there is?
Hope refurbished with hope
Assurances of ‘better days’
As to its void we grope

Is this all there is?
A fleeting day of youth
Before the cold and solemn kiss
Of consequence’s truth

Is this all there is?
A grasping of thin air
Before hands fold upon our chest
In coffins of despair

Is this all there is?
A kaleidoscope of dirt
Chaotic sequences of bliss
And brokenness and hurt

Is this all there is?
A pithy poem or two
Before our painted emptiness
Is stripped for all to view

Is this all there is?
Without our God to trust
Yes, this is all that there would be
A journey back to dust

This is not all there is
Though bodies will decay
They hold within a living soul
That never fades away

Janet~

For God so loved the world
He gave His only Son

That whosoever believes on Him
will not perish
But have eternal Life. John 3:16

If Not For You, Where Would I Be?

Where would I be?
My fumbling thought
Seeks to express
My love, oh God
Nothing of worth
Have I to bring
To show my love
For you, my King

Upon this broken
Void of sin
Its grief would quench
True joy within
But then one thought
Occurs to me
Without Your love
Where would I be?

Tempted and tried
Lord, I would stray
Without Your light
To lead the way
Your mercy beams
Across the night
Where would I be
Without Your light?

Seasons and stars
Heed your command
And yet You hold
My shameful hand
As every sin-stain
You erase
Where would I be
Without Your grace?

Oh Lord, I have
One gift to bring
Accept the praises
That I sing
For living Hope
Has set me free
Without Your love
Where would I be?

Janet
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions
—it is by grace you have been saved.
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
not by works, so that no one can boast.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Eph. 2:4-10

'House'-keeping

It’s not all neat and tidy
With everything in place
There are corners that are dirty
It is true, I must confess
And no matter how I plan to keep
A tab on everything
It seems, although I sweep and sweep
It isn’t very clean

Today I stood and looked about
At every unkempt room
The clutter made me want to shout
And grab my trusty broom
But then I heard a still small Voice
Admonishing my threat
As I surveyed fruits of my choice
In heaps of sad regret

I bowed my head in silent shame
Touched by His tenderness
I have only self to blame
For this recurring mess
To keep a life in proper order
Must begin with humble prayer
Asking Him to sweep each corner
Trusting Him with every care

Janet~

Redeemed

http://anotherporch.blogspot.com/2012/01/redeemed.html

There is something about this blog that refuses to post certain forms...here is the link to the poem I was trying to post...

The 'I Can' ABC's

I Can…

Because of

His assurance and assistance

His body and blood

His comfort and compassion

His death and His deliverance

His encouragement and endurance

His forgiveness and faithfulness

His Grace, His guidance, goodness and Gift

His hope and His hands

His invitation and inspiration

His justification and joy

His kindness and knowledge

His love and Light

His mercy and might

His Name and His nearness

His omnipotence and order

His plan, promise, power, purpose and patience

His quiet and his quickened Word

His redemption and resurrection and righteousness

His salvation and strength

His tenderness and temperance

His understanding and unity

His victory and vision

His wisdom and will

His X-ample,

His yoke and His yea

His zeal and Zenith

Because of God

I can!


Janet Martin


I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13