frontporchpoetry-janet

Ark of Safety

2012-02-10T15:33:00.000-05:00

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

2012-02-09T09:18:00.003-05:00

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

2012-02-09T09:16:00.002-05:00

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

2012-02-01T11:12:00.003-05:00

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...

2012-01-26T09:58:00.002-05:00

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

2012-01-26T09:06:00.001-05:00

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

2012-01-26T08:50:00.001-05:00

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...

2012-01-25T14:16:00.003-05:00

‘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

2012-01-25T13:30:00.002-05:00

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?

2012-01-25T10:28:00.004-05:00

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?

2012-01-25T10:24:00.001-05:00

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

2012-01-24T13:27:00.002-05:00

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

2012-01-24T13:25:00.001-05:00

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

2012-01-02T09:39:00.003-05:00

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

The True Light

2011-12-19T12:51:00.001-05:00

We behold Him even now

Though we cannot comprehend

The fullness that His love bestowed

As He put on flesh for men

He put on thus, meek flesh for men

This One that Is, before Time was

Conceived, not of the will of them

But by the holy will of God

And by the holy will of God

He brought true light upon the earth

This true Light remains till now

As testament and Living Word

As testament and Living Word

Full of mercy, hope and grace

Moses law had never heard

A proclamation such as this

A proclamation such as this

Power to become His sons

Cleansed from all unrighteousness

Washed in the blood of heaven’s One

Washed in the blood of heaven’s One

His Light remains to lead the way

Word became flesh, God’s only Son

And we still have His Word today

We still have His word today

Darkness still cannot comprehend

But oh, to those who have believed

He dwells within the heart of them

Janet~

I was reading John 1 this morning.

One of my favorite passages, not only at Christmas

But forever.

He is the True Light.

What Were You Thinking?

2011-12-09T22:02:00.002-05:00

What were you thinking
As you lay in that manger
While we crowded ‘round you
Amazed at Your birth?
What were You thinking
As you stepped out of Heaven
Knowing the reason
You were coming to earth?

What were You thinking
As angels were singing
Declaring to all
That a Savior is born?
There in that stable
While the heavens were ringing
What were you thinking
On that first Christmas morn?

Did you think as you lay there
Of a field named Golgotha?
Did you see a cruel cross
On a hill, Calvary?
There in the midst of
The cattle and oxen
What were you thinking
As the star shone brightly?

Ah yes, you were thinking
The thoughts that still held you
As you knelt, praying
In Gethsemane
Lord, you were thinking
Of lost sheep with no Shepherd
You were thinking of us, Lord
You were thinking of me

Janet Martin

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Matt.1:21

Jesus Christ Forever

2011-12-09T21:56:00.002-05:00

Soon we shall lay aside this robe
Of weakness, flesh and want
Where all the sorrows of this globe
Cannot torment nor taunt
Then sickness, need and selfish gain
Return, as we, to dirt
With no more tears of grief or pain
To vex, dismay and hurt

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
This is the way of man
Doomed, as convicts to our lust
But for One greater plan
As Love descended from His throne
A babe in Bethlehem
To give His life and to atone
For all the sins of men

No greater gift will ever be
Than that first Christmas Day
When God gave to rebels as we
His precious Son to slay
But as He looked beyond His loss
It satisfied His favor
For He saw victory in the Cross
As Jesus became Savior

Come; gather ‘round this Christmas Day
Join in the celebration
For the Truth, the Life, the Way
Is free to every nation
Lift up your hearts in praise to Him
For none on earth can sever
Us from the Babe in Bethlehem
Jesus Christ forever

Janet Martin

Joy to the world
The Lord is come
Let earth receive her King...

Someday Upon the Open Sky...

2011-12-09T21:55:00.002-05:00

Someday upon the open sky
The sun and stars shall dim
As all God’s heavenly angels cry
Behold, behold your King
And from four corners of the earth
Each trembling knee will bend
To see the Child of lowly birth
On Heaven’s throne descend

Dare we to scoff and jeer and scorn
The One laid in a manger
For unto us a Child was born
That day to be our Savior
Someday upon the vaulted cloud
We will look up to see
That this is Jesus Christ the Lord
Love’s sacred Deity

Then the whole earth will turn to weep
At His pure holiness
But this true Shepherd knows His sheep
And they, the Shepherd’s voice
And those who long have waited for
The coming of their King
Will rise to meet their Shepherd Lord
And join the angels hymn

Janet Martin

I'm listening to the Christmas songs while doing housework.
Powerful messages in each one, words of hope and peace and joy and love.
Hallelujah!

Still We Come

2011-12-01T09:36:00.004-05:00

Still we come
Each in our own fashion
To bow before
The Lord of all creation
Still we come
To kneel beside the manger
But to us
Praise God, He is no Stranger
Yet, still we ask
What can we bring that pleases
Such love as this
This One that we call Jesus

Still we come
To marvel at the wonder
Of God’s own Son
As babe within a manger
Still we come
In human imperfection
To bow before
Our Life and Resurrection
Oh lift your voice
This is the King of Glory
Sing and rejoice
This is Love’s perfect story

Still we come
Fraught with sin’s vile diseases
For there is none
That cannot come to Jesus
In wonderment
Drawn by His vast compassion
To love beyond
Man’s earth-dimmed comprehension
Still we come
To bow before our Savior
Man’s common bond
Is Jesus Christ forever

Janet Martin

Side-note chuckle: I had the left-overs of a broken Nativity Set close-by and did not notice until the picture was taken that the two-year-old had moved them all into the stable, thus the reason for two mangers:))

He was the inspiration to the poem as he knelt there and gazed quietly. I wonder what he was thinking...

A Higher Goal

2011-12-01T09:32:00.003-05:00

Breath by breath and step by step
Toward a Gate we’re going
How soon night swallows up the day
And death, life’s minute glowing
The remnants of another year
Are slipping into history
And what a-waits beyond this sphere
Is Hope’s beckoning mystery

The pathway to love’s higher goal
Is strewn with tears and groaning
But God, the keeper of our souls
Offer His grace atoning
No plea unheard, no grief unseen
No need escapes his vision
As step by step and breath by breath
He guides us to His kingdom

Janet~

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

Perfect Love Out-poured

2011-11-15T11:05:00.001-05:00

He could have sent a prophet
A servant, meek and low
To bear the curse of evil
And hatreds cruel blow
He could have sent a king of earth
A pauper or a priest
He had the power to place His worth
Within a mindless beast
He could have sent His angels
Legions to fill the sky
To spare Himself the anguish
Of watching His Son die
He could have, with one uttered word
Declared all man forgiven
He could have, from His visage stirred
The rocks to shout salvation
But He chose to put on flesh
The Sacred Son of Heaven
Became a servant unto men
In form, lowly and human
Upon a cross He gave Himself
A King and Royal Priest
And not one drop of love withheld
As death’s curse was released
He could have sent an army
To face the fiends of hell
But He loved us so completely
That He sent Himself

Janet

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. Isa. 53:2-6

In His Service

2011-11-12T08:34:00.001-05:00

Let not the measure of my love
Be vainly-scripted platitudes
But let me with my action prove
A heart o’er-flowed with gratitude

In service, humbly let me live
Requesting not of fellowmen
What I am unwilling to give
Or yield unto the God of Heav’n

The army of the Lord is strong
Not of ourselves, but by His might
He lifts us up on His right arm
And guides us through the bitter fight

The day is evil, yet we stand
His armor can endure the foe
Though fiery darts may sweep the sand
Secure, within His grace we go

Lift up those weary feet and sing
His promises have set us free
Beyond this vale of suffering
We are assured of victory

Janet Martin

Dominion and awe belong to Him
Who establishes peace in His heights.
“Is there any number to His troops? Job 25:2-3 NASB

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 2 Tim. 2:3-4 KJV

Poverty-stricken

2011-11-10T08:52:00.008-05:00

Desperately poor are we who live
Driven by hunger for things
Desperately poor, who do not give
Blinded by selfish wanting

Desperately poor; the heart, cold, vile
Turning a stone-deafened ear
To the anguished cry of mother and child
With no food or clothes to wear

Desperately poor, are we who seek
Treasure of moth-eaten strings
Desperately poor, as fool-hearted thieves
Bound by the striving for things

Desperately poor, the heart enslaved
To temporal pearls of sod
Desperately poor, are we who serve
Our things in place of God

Janet Martin

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matt. 6:19-20

Morning Prayer

2011-10-26T09:53:00.002-04:00

Open my mind, Lord
To feel every moment
Wide as an ocean
Let my visage be
Not in the seeing
But simply the knowing
That life is a footprint
In eternity

Open my eyes, Lord
And help me to feel it
A whisper of heaven
In every breath
Open my eyes, Lord
In moments reveal it
Without Your great mercy
My life would be death

Open my heart, Lord
Oh, let my vision
Not be deceived
By the world around me
Open my heart, Lord
Someday in your Kingdom
You will unveil
What these eyes cannot see

Janet Martin

Gratitude

2011-10-25T10:45:00.003-04:00

Against the blue and frosted slope
I see a silent throng
Like flowers that have shed their coat
Or minstrels with no song
A thickened sort of quiet lies
Against this rugged cusp
Where winds, like stiff-starched orderlies
Have stripped sweet summer’s lust
And up into the vaulted sky
I hear the murmur of good-bye

Against the ruby thread of dawn
I see a silhouette
A lonesome sort of picture drawn
In frames of sorrow, yet
A battle-song of beauty moans
From thorns without their bloom
In dark and muted undertones
It warms earth’s stricken tomb
As petal-tear of flow’r and leaf
Imbrues the sphere with nature’s grief

Against the tumult of the heart
A tender peace resides
For just as seasons of the earth
God’s faithfulness abides
When life is rich with vibrant bloom
Or stripped of comforts dear
He whispers in the aching gloom
To tell us He is near
And over autumn’s garb subdued
We breathe a prayer of gratitude

Janet Martin

Whispers of Him

2011-10-24T12:20:00.004-04:00

A spangle of daisies
On springs meadow-land
A breeze, slow and lazy
Across the white sand
A breath-taking canvas
As daylight grows dim
Yet, still mankind glimpses
But whispers of Him

The glory of nature
Contained in a seed
The strength of man’s stature
Dependent on bread
As rain from the heavens
Turns bare fallow green
Mankind is given
Soft whispers of Him

Infinite resplendence
Extended in space
Nothing but Providence
To keep it in place
And on the blue circle
A wee baby’s birth
Whispers of an angel
Descending to earth

Hurricane lashing
On vulnerable shores
As dark seas come crashing
Through earth’s fragile doors
Rainbows of promise
A tiny bird sings
And yet mankind glimpses
But whispers of Him

The ring of a hammer
The flash of a sword
The insolent clamor
For the death of our Lord
The cry of redemption
As His breath grows dim
And still mankind glimpses
But whispers of Him

Janet Martin

And these are but the outer fringe of his works;
how faint the whisper we hear of him! Job 26:14

Guiltless

2011-10-17T13:15:00.001-04:00

Guiltless before a Holy God I stand
Though man may judge by what the eye can see
I reach to touch the nail-scars in His hand
And praise the One who died to set me free

No sacrifice, no mortal gift of dross
Had power to redeem my debt of pride
But as the blood of Jesus stained the cross
The perfect will of God was satisfied

Before a throne of mercy now I bow
Unworthy, yet He loves me still the same
The evil curse of death is vanquished now
To all who call on Jesus sacred name

Have I, a man yet anything to boast?
Nay, I say nay, only one boast have I
Tis in the name of He who loves us so
That He should make Himself the Lamb to die

Guilty I fell before the law, condemned
Guiltless, because of Jesus Christ, I’ll rise
For He has conquered death for every man
His blood cleanses, redeems and justifies

Janet Martin

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Isa. 53:10

…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law. Romans 3:23-31

Child, Let Me

2011-10-13T12:46:00.002-04:00

Lord, I’d be lost if I didn’t have you
So many times I’m unsure what to do
Worry and fear turn to anxiety
The You breathe through my tears, ‘Child, let Me’

Lord, far too often I try very hard
To do as I ought to until I’m so tired
The fruit of my failure is easy to see
Then I hear You whisper ‘Child, let Me’

Tempted and tried, oh, my God I confess
The road is so wide to this world’s success
I reach for you’re Hand, the way I cannot see
You understand as you repeat, ‘Child, let Me’

Lord, far too often I try on my own
Stumbling and fumbling, I weep and I groan
Help me to trust You enough to ‘just be’
As your mercy and love murmur ‘Child, let Me’

Janet Martin

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matt.11:28-30

Fruit

2011-10-13T11:13:00.002-04:00

Man plants the seed
Into the sod
Creature of need
Dependent on God

Man works the sod
Diligent, astute
But only our God
Gives the increase of fruit

Man plants the seeds
The Word of truth
Man prays and pleads
But God gives the fruit

Janet Martin

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

The Heavens Declare...

2011-10-13T11:00:00.002-04:00

The heavens declare your eternal glory
Infinite wonder and power and love
Symbol of mercy in every morning
As the deep awning of night you remove
Grand is the sky of a moon-caressed midnight
Grander the glory of dawn’s ruby sun
Vision of rapture, the cover of twilight
Foretaste of beauty surrounding Your throne

Who can foretell the vast shades of your choosing?
Who can declare how night’s glory will rise?
Who can define the palette you are using
Or brush out the gray of November’s low skies?
There is no artist, oh God, you have gifted
That outshines the grandeur or work of Your Eye
When the dark curtain of night has been lifted
Who can arrange one square inch of the sky?

The sun, moon and stars in celestial clockwork
Cannot be altered by one mortal hand
Who, as we gaze at the canvas above us
Doth the intent of the Lord understand?
Infinite mystery, unfathomed wonder
Floor of the vault where His holy feet tread
Mouth spewing lightning and violent thunder
Sea of serenity when its wrath has been shed

Beneath it we marvel, beneath it we tremble
Beneath it we gaze at the eye of the One
Who spoke into Being all things universal
His glory exceeds the moon, stars and the sun
The heavens declare and no man can deny it
Lord, there is none who escapes Your vast Eye
The heavens declare and all man will believe it
When You re-appear on the clouds of the sky

Janet Martin~

“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. Matthew 24:30

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 2 Peter 3:10

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalms 19:1

“Dominion and awe belong to God;
he establishes order in the heights of heaven. Job 25:2

He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;
he suspends the earth over nothing.
He wraps up the waters in his clouds,
yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.
He covers the face of the full moon,
spreading his clouds over it.
He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters
for a boundary between light and darkness.
The pillars of the heavens quake,
aghast at his rebuke.
By his power he churned up the sea;
by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces.
By his breath the skies became fair;
his hand pierced the gliding serpent.
And these are but the outer fringe of his works;
how faint the whisper we hear of him!
Who then can understand the thunder of his power?” Job 26:7-14

For Those Who Pray...

2011-10-05T10:07:00.004-04:00

http://ponderingprinciples.com/2011/10/difficult-journey/

This poem was inspired by above post...

There is no wall that a prayer cannot scale
No hill it cannot rise above
No plea too unworthy; no whisper too frail
For the God of compassion and love
No beggar too poor, no scholar too wise
No wealth that can ever exceed
The mercy descending, as we lift our cries
To One who beholds every need

In poverty, sickness, in sorrow or pain
In hopelessness or despair
In all of life’s troubles we do not understand
We may touch God in a prayer
When words are too hard and the misery too deep
His pure, gracious love intercedes
He hears the groan of our hearts as we weep
And ministers to our deepest needs

He hears our praise and our creature complaints
He sees every tear that we shed
When spirit is willing, but our body faints
He carries us through vales of dread
Far, far away across oceans and plains
In jungle or dungeon or tent
Prayer reaches out as it heals or sustains
The one for whom it is sent

In every nation, in every tongue
He hears and He understands
No mortal too old or ever too young
To put their trust into His hands
For those who pray, though we don’t understand
As we place in His keeping, our care
What comfort to feel the touch of His hand
As we reach out to Him in a prayer

Janet Martin

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:26-28

Second Chances

2011-10-03T11:16:00.002-04:00

You held it to me in the gentlest of ways

I blushed in embarrassment beneath your kind gaze

As You pulled back the wraps of pink and pale blue

And whispered, ‘My dear, I have something for you’

It was so beautiful, perfect, unmarred

I looked at my old one, so battered and scarred

But You did not remind me of my tangled mess

As you gazed at me in profound tenderness

‘Don’t look at the old one’, I felt His embrace

As He brushed the tears of regret from my face

‘I love You, I am with you, I’ll show you the way’

And He placed into my arms a brand new day

Janet~

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Ps. 32:8

It IS...

2011-10-02T01:11:00.003-04:00

It Is…

The universe above the sky
The world beneath the sea
He spoke into existence
By these words, ‘let there be’
He moved upon the waters
And He drove the dark away
‘Let there be light’ and there it was
The first Night and the Day
And He said ‘it is good’

He gathered up the waters
And moved them to the sea
He spoke and land was formed whereon
Grew flower, fruit and tree
And in the vaulted heavens
He placed signs of days and years
Forming infinite mysteries
In the sun and moon and stars
And He said, ‘it is good’

The waters teemed with creatures
Fowl flew above the earth
In manifold abundance
He witnessed nature’s birth
The livestock for the pasture
The lion for the wild
The father for the mother
The mother for the child
And he said, ‘it is good’

God looked upon creation
Great many years had passed
Sin ruled in every nation
As man toiled ‘neath its curse
A toil of endless sacrifice
So great the debt of man
But they could never pay sin’s price
With blood of goat or ram

…and God took His beloved
His one and only Son
Who looked up to His Father
And cried, ‘Thy will be done’
As man tore at His glory
And spat upon His face
They jeered and cursed and smote the One
Who saves us by His grace

Upon a cross at Calvary
A King clothed as a man
Took on Himself all guilt of sin
Though HE, a spotless Lamb
Then, as the mountains trembled
And stars fell from the sky
He sealed the sinner’s pardon
As the guilty hear Him cry
‘It is finished. It is finished’.

Janet Martin

Genesis 1
The Beginning
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

6 And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” 7 So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.

9 And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.
11 Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.

14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.

20 And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.” 23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.

24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30

His Mercy

2011-09-19T12:02:00.003-04:00

Mercy paints the lintel of a grand and glorious dawn
As we allow regret to fade on ruby-tinted lawn

His Light dispels the morbid gloom of ever-taunting fear
How sweet the moment in our palm when held by One so dear

Dare we to run this race today with feet bare and unshod?
Or face the enemy alone without the hand of God?

His Word is pure abiding Hope unhindered by the flight
Of moments folding into years or noontide into night

I hold within my trembling grip a Surety divine
For He will lead, guide and direct this faltering step of mine

His mercy paints the lintel in dawn’s breath-taking display
As we behold His faithfulness turn nighttime into day

Janet Martin

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Ps. 19:1

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness. Lam. 3:22-23

Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path. Ps. 119:105

The Way

2011-09-16T08:24:00.001-04:00

Lord, how can we know the way
We have not walked before?
The glowering skies dull and gray
And we are weak and poor
Lord, we have no gifts to offer you
In tidings of this earth
Our treasures here are paltry few
And not of any worth

Oh Lord, how oft we are inclined
To sink in bleak despair
When suddenly you stir our minds
As we reach out in prayer
You open up our tear-dimmed eyes
And whisper patiently
‘I am the Way, the Truth and Life,
My child, come unto Me

The ways of earth I have ordained
And child, you need not bring
To Me the first-fruits of My hand
As sin’s vain offering
There is but one thing of true worth
That I desire of Thee
Forsaking other gods you serve
To come and follow Me’

Janet Martin

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:5-6

When We Look Up

2011-09-15T22:49:00.002-04:00

With downcast eye we see life’s grief
Its wretchedness and dirt
We see throngs blind with unbelief
Imprisoned by their hurt
We see dark cradles of despair
The hopelessness of sin
It robs our trembling lips of prayer
Lord, where can we begin?

In loathsome corridors of filth
The groveling captive lie
Doom lurks above in silent stealth
Until at last they die
Cold sorrow hovers like a shroud
The darkness closes in
We lift our voices, cry aloud
Lord, where can we begin…?

…and as we lift our distraught eyes
Above the hopelessness
Morning breaks across the skies
In shades of faithfulness
He lights the dawn to rise upon
The rich man and the poor
As He cries out to everyone
‘Behold, I am the Door’

He makes the blinded eye to see
Beyond the grief and hurt
And draws our gaze to bloom and tree
Sprouting from the dirt
As we cry, where do we begin?
And lift our eyes; undone
He lets the glorious Light shine in
As we behold the Son

Janet Martin~

Now no one can look at the sun,
bright as it is in the skies
after the wind has swept them clean.
22 Out of the north he comes in golden splendor;
God comes in awesome majesty.
23 The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power;
in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.
24 Therefore, people revere him,
for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart? Job 37:21-24

Finding Purpose

2011-09-12T01:39:00.002-04:00

Sometimes, as the gold threads of daylight are waning
And all its brief moments are garnered like mist,
When the hand gently open on fringes of dawning
Soundlessly closes in a tightly-clenched fist,
As I try to separate beginning from ending
Only to see a perpetual blending
I am perplexed with deep melancholy
Vexed by life’s seeming futility

Do I stand at the end or a brand new beginning
As daylight surrenders to night’s turning page?
Is there any purpose to this life I am living?
Or are moments vague actors on time’s phantom stage?
I reach to touch a tangible truth
And long for the rush of undeterred youth
Is there a victory to this race I am in?
The ‘what was or what is or what might have been’?

I gaze to the heaven’s unfathomable distance
Layers of space upon space with no end
A vault that could swallow ten-thousand oceans
Or wink at an eternity in each grain of sand
Yet greater than this grand infinity
Is an undeniable eternity
A-waiting each soul that departs from this earth
So then, death is a beginning greater than birth

The somnolent stirring of leaves gives no answer
Exteriors seem cold, indifferent and base
Fear is an ache and interminable hunger
Nothing is permanent…nothing but grace
His grace is greater than anything
Our perfect Creator gives this life meaning
His grace saves the soul that will not die
And thus, by the grace of God go I

Janet Martin~

I’m not sure I captured in this poem the heart of my pondering…
It began with my 13 yr.old son’s off-handed remark about there really being no point to anything because everything ends…he was talking about fun.
Later my husband remarked that the problem with good moments is that they end…
And I asked him do they? Or is what we see as the end really the beginning of the next moment which could be better but we don’t know because we have not yet lived it. Okay, futile subject, I know. But I did get to thinking about how empty every moment is at its base level. We were created by God and within us is a place that only He can fill. And only as He fills that place can we find genuine peace and purpose. The created needs the Creator. Our life is a gift. Don’t we want to know the Giver?

I love the book of Ecclesiastes, and I love these verses from Ephesians 2:

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 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. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Constant Comfort

2011-09-03T10:26:00.001-04:00

We cannot know what may befall
Or sweep across earth’s sands
But this we know, God is our guide
And we are in his hands

The bittersweet of life’s swift bloom
May draw a sudden tear
But what calm fortitude to know
That God is always near

Life’s quick and constant shifting tide
Prevails across the land
But changeless is the One who holds
Us in His tender hands

Janet Martin

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

The Wise Seek God...

2011-08-19T08:58:00.003-04:00

One person dies in full vigor,
completely secure and at ease,
24 well nourished in body,[b]
bones rich with marrow.
25 Another dies in bitterness of soul,
never having enjoyed anything good.
26 Side by side they lie in the dust… Job 20.:23-26

The Wise Seek God…

Across the field the grasses blow
At mercy of the One
Who doth, as He sees fit bestow
The raindrop or the sun

And soon the feet that dance across
Life’s wee allotted hour
Like silent in the grave beneath
The windswept grass and flower

While some give some and some give all
And some not one mere thought
The body sleeps within the soil…
…the soul moves on to God

Man cannot see the heart of God
Or understand His plan
Though wicked prosper, righteous die
A death in Him, is gain

Side by side our bodies lie
Returned into the dust
We all live once and once we die…
The wise seek God and trust

Janet~

When I See You

2011-08-18T20:36:00.004-04:00

When I see You push the tresses
Of the deepened night awry
When the timid light caresses
The low border of the sky
When the sea of dazzling starlight
Fades into the azure blue
Oh, my Lord, I am reminded
There is none like You

When I see the gleaming wheat fields
Where the dormant sod had been
And I see the fruit that earth yields
From the orchard, bent and green
When I see the bud awaken
By the nudging of the sun
My faith in You remains unshaken
Oh Lord,like You there's none

Season folding over season
Tears and laughter deck this sod
And I cannot find one reason
To deserve the love of God
Though life’s disappointment tests me
Though the drought may parch the land
Still I see You, God of mercy
When I cannot understand

When I see the earth surrender
To the seasons You ordain
When I see Your love so tender
Wash away sin’s wretched stain
When I gaze up to the heavens
To its vault of ethereal blue
Then remember…I’m forgiven
I cry, Lord, there’s none like You

Janet Martin~

Psalms 8
1 LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?[c]

5 You have made them[d] a little lower than the angels[e]
and crowned them[f] with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their[g] feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Special Gift

2011-08-15T19:17:00.002-04:00

The landscape is threaded with burnished hues
Of golden-brown and green
August softens her deep-denim blues
In a hazy, sweltering sheen
Rivers of Queen Anne’s Lace and Blue Strife
Flow over the wearying sod
Pictures of beauty and longing and life
In gardens tended by God

Locust-song spars with the muted lay
Of a lazy, late after-noon
Willow tree arches bend and sway
To its warm and mystic tune
As August with subtle finger steals
From beneath my wanton gaze
The richness from its rolling fields
In a long and drawn-out haze

Daylight succumbs an hour too soon
There is nothing I can do
But kiss each morning and afternoon
Before I bid them adieu
Wading through rivers of wild-flower bliss
And ditches of golden-rod
Knowing full-well that August is
A special gift from God

Janet~

“Listen to this, Job;
stop and consider God’s wonders.
15 Do you know how God controls the clouds
and makes his lightning flash?
16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised,
those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?
17 You who swelter in your clothes
when the land lies hushed under the south wind,
18 can you join him in spreading out the skies,
hard as a mirror of cast bronze? Job 37:14:18

Wonderful

2011-08-14T16:45:00.003-04:00

May I never lose the wonder
Of the love You have for me
Like a child, believing simply
Without insecurity

May I never lose the wonder
Of a river unrestrained
Flowing from the roughened timber
Out of Heaven’s perfect Hand

May I never lose the wonder
Of my debt, atrocious, vast
Paid in full by Christ’s atonement
It is more than I can grasp

May I never lose the wonder
…He who holds the sky and sea
Extols the lightning and the thunder
Yet cares for me intimately

May I never lose the wonder
…love I ne’er can comprehend
Saves the low confounded sinner
And His mercy will not end

May I never lose the wonder
As He takes me from this shore
To His Kingdom over yonder
There to be forevermore

Janet~

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. 1 John 3:16

Comfort

2011-08-01T09:32:00.003-04:00

As we read His word
He takes our failure
Our despair
Our shame
Our care
Our wantonness
Our deceit
Our brokenness
Our defeat
Our misery
Our hatred
Our weariness
Our dread
Our longing
Our fear
Our blindness
Our tear
Our darkness
Our grief
Our doubts
Our unbelief
Our weakness
Our pride
Our foolishness
Our lies
Our loneliness
Our wretchedness
Our emptiness
Our hurt
Our hopelessnesshttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Our anger
Our lust
Our thirst
Our unworthiness
Our indifference
Our anguish
Our pain
And transforms them to…
A Living Hope in Him

Janet~

http://www.bible.ca/ef/expository-john-5-39-40.htm

God Is...

2011-07-28T08:02:00.002-04:00

I stand before the vast unknown
A dark and deep abyss
There is no way to view its road
And I know naught but this…
In everything I cannot see
God is…

The rise and fall of temporal woes
The valley or the plain
Are shielded in its hidden throes
To seek their way is vain
There is just one thing I know
God remains…

The surety of this common life
Is fragile at its best
A fleeting breath of joy or strife
None knows where those may rest
But hallelujah, I know this
Where He leads, God is…

Janet~

Never will I leave you,
Never will I forsake you...Heb.13:5

Upon My Heart

2011-07-18T08:09:00.003-04:00

Opinion is a luxury
A small and human art
God’s law is real and binding
And written on our heart

We all are His creation
Born with the curse of sin
And no one can escape the law
That He has placed within

To err indeed is human
I am filled with awe
That God loved me enough to write
Upon my heart, His law

Janet~

"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts."—Hebrews 8:10.

Emotions

2011-07-18T08:01:00.003-04:00

Life is a journey
Its emotions are real
And it is not wrong
For us to feel
…high or low,
Happy, sad
Triumph, failure
Good or bad
Laughter, tears
Pleasure, pain
Peace or fear
Sun or rain
Joy or sorrow
Hope, despair
But it is wrong
If we choose to bear
All of these
Without God
…or prayer

Janet~

Transformed...not Conformed

2011-07-18T07:55:00.002-04:00

People watch…and we conform
To fit a certain mold
But it is void and useless
If it is not Christ-controlled

Good deeds make us feel worth-while
To men we appear kind
But it is nothing more than that
Without a Christ-like mind

True love is not worn like a robe
Or leaves a cause to doubt
God’s love transforms and it will flow
From the inside out

Janet

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.Romans 12:2

Forgiven

2011-07-18T07:49:00.003-04:00

Not by anything I’ve done
Not by merits I have won
But by the blood of God’s own Son
My sins have been forgiven
Not by silver or by gold
Not by a secret left untold
But love that God did not withhold
Has paid my way to Heaven

The One who put the stars in place
Created earth in just six days
By His vast and changeless grace
I have been forgiven
There is naught that I can bring
No sacrifice or offering
To aid the life-blood of a King
Or pay my way to Heaven

Paid in full, my debt of sin
Where, oh where can I begin
To grasp this thought and take it in
My sins have been forgiven
To as many as believe
This perfect love they will receive
Jesus’ blood will set men free
And pay our way to Heaven

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

But to Know...

2011-07-11T20:20:00.003-04:00

Love has known know deeper passion
Love has paid no greater price
Than the One who forsook Heaven
And made Himself sin’s sacrifice

I will never understand it
How Jesus could love me so
But all I need is to believe it
Ours is but to taste and know

Storm clouds hover low above me
Waves in threatening tumult roll
I reach for the One who loves me
For I know He’s in control

Once adrift, without a Savior
I had naught in which to hide
But He forgave my vile behavior
And He never leaves my side

I have known no sweeter comfort
I have known no kinder Friend
I have known no dearer purpose
Than to serve Him till life’s end

Janet~

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Matt 11:28

Synopsis

2011-07-07T08:02:00.003-04:00

The tempest sweeps the whitewashed sand
The dawning sweeps the sea
The springtime sweeps a dormant land
With emerald chivalry
You sweep me off my feet, darling
When you look at me

The rose will bloom one season, dear
And youth few seasons more
Time is nothing more than years
That wash earth’s little shore
We face each day with faith or fear
As we stand at its door

The tempest rises but to fall
The sun shines but to set
Too soon the fields of greener shawl
Are planted with the dead
We too must heed a Higher Call
And bow the stubborn head

We are but legends in our mind
The only strands of worth
Are not in things we leave behind
To clutter God’s green earth
Things pass as surely as the wind
Or fleeting hour of mirth

The tempest rises but to rest
Within the quiet deep
The sunlight gathers in the west
Time’s shadows quickly creep
Eternity waits in each breath
The soul will never sleep

Janet~

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from youselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do " (Eph. 2:8,9).

Man Born of Woman...

2011-07-04T20:38:00.001-04:00

*‘Man born of a woman
Is of trouble and few days
They spring up like flowers
And soon wither away
Do you fix you eye on them?’
Creatures of demand
The only wisdom they attain
Comes from a Higher Hand

Can man born of a sinful seed
Accomplish any good?
Can he alone provide a need
Without the help of God?
Is wisdom gleaned by things of earth
Not doomed to die with men?
Is there aught of eternal worth
To fix our hope upon?

Praise to man extolled by man
Soon sleeps beneath the dust
What good is good on this brief span
Without a God to trust?
Man can’t exhume from this earth’s grave
And bring to life again
Of tears and turmoil we are slave
Without God, all is vain

There is a sure foundation laid
On which a man may rest
Though man’s life is but of few days
We may taste its best
There is an eternal truth
On which feet will not stumble
Fit for aged men or youth
And hearts, tempered and humble

There is a love that spans beyond
This little gasp of Time
It proved itself upon a cross
Its grace sustains our climb
*‘Man born of a woman
Is of trouble and few days
They spring up like flowers
And soon wither away…

Janet~
*‘Man born of a woman
Is of trouble and few days
They spring up like flowers
And soon wither away...Job 14:1

Embrace

2011-07-04T19:27:00.002-04:00

Sometimes when I think about
The road that lies ahead
I look at you, my little one
And I am filled with dread
But just when I’m about to weep
And crumble in despair
I remember who will keep
You in his loving care

There is nothing I can do
To shield you from life’s rain
We all have valleys to walk through
A little joy and pain
I wish that I could tell you
There is nothing you need fear
But all that I can say for sure
Is ‘God is always near’

The highs and lows that shape our lives
Are molded by His love
In all the choices living gives
Not one will let us move
Beyond His pure compassion
His mercy or His grace
And everyone who trusts Him
Is safe in His embrace

Janet~

He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
Psalms 121:3

Belief...

2011-06-26T08:47:00.003-04:00

I know Whom I believe
I know He holds my hand
But it’s the where and what and why
I do not understand

I know love never fails
I know it is life’s power
And yet I’ve seen it tarnish
Summer’s pleasant hour

For all that I may know
Tis what I cannot see
That tests the very heart of it
…I know Whom I believe

Janet~
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Tim. 1:12

Pondering Love

2011-06-22T20:56:00.001-04:00

If we were assured of our children’s love
As often as we tell God of ours
Tell me, would it be enough
As long as time and life endures
If the children that we hold
Would show us in the self-same measure
Their devotion, shy or bold
Tell me, would it give us pleasure
As they told us of their love
Like we tell God; would it be enough?

If our children spent the time for us
We spend upon our knees to pray
If they in all exact amounts
Gave us what we give God each day
Would we be assured of their love?
Would our cups fill and overflow?
Tell me, would it be enough
What we give God; for us below
Would we bow when light is dim
Fulfilled with what we give to Him?

Janet~

See what great love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1

On Trusting

2011-06-20T08:32:00.002-04:00

We cannot see the future Lord
Nor do we know its way
So in its mysteries, teach us then
To trust you day by day

You do not spread before our eyes
The things for which we plead
But know before we raise our cries
Exactly what we need

Janet~

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. Prov. 3: 5-6

Shoes

2011-06-16T10:38:00.003-04:00

I won’t tell you what to say
Or decide what you should choose
I can’t feel the way you feel
I haven’t travelled in your shoes

But I can love you, I can pray
And tell you God is never wrong
If we seek his narrow way
He alone will keep us strong

I can’t judge you for your sin
It would simply increase mine
God’s blood cleanses from within
With a righteousness divine

God alone can know the truth
He sees far beneath our skin
Still He chooses us to love
Oh, I scarce can take it in

I won’t tell you what to say
God can show you what to choose
I can love you; I can pray
But I cannot walk in your shoes

Janet~

Matthew 7:1-2

King James Version (KJV)

Matthew 7

1Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again

Give it to God

2011-06-16T08:12:00.005-04:00

Can you not see your way ahead?
Are your prospects lined with dread?
There is One who’ll take the lead
Give it all to God

Does the fight of life seem grim?
Has the light of faith grown dim?
Tell me, have you talked to Him?
Give it all to God

Man is formed of humble dust
The best that we can do is trust
In One whose way is right and just
Give it all to God

He has borne hates cruelest blow
There is naught He does not know
Yet above all, He loves us so
Give it all To God

Though life’s storm may still assail
Upon His arm we will not fail
He is good; He will prevail
Give it all to God

Janet~

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

When Trouble Comes

2011-06-14T22:46:00.003-04:00

He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed
Miracles that we cannot tally
Rain and sunshine blankets the mountain
And reaches into the dark valley
Hardship does not spring from the soil
Nor trouble from ground hard and dry
Man is born to trouble and toil
As surely as sparks reach for the sky

But if I were you I would appeal to God
I would lay my cause before Him
Though He may chasten with His rod
He heals the wounded limb
He catches the wise in their craftiness
Sweeping afar wily schemes
So that their hands achieve no success
He thwarts the proud and his dreams

His hand is over the poor and the needy
He covers their tent with peace
Do not despise the great God almighty
Or ask when His chastening shall cease
Blessed is he whom the Lord reprimands
And happy is the man corrected
Though misery washes like a sea over sands
By His love we will not be rejected

Janet~

Inspired after reading Job 5

He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. Job 2:10

Giver

2011-06-10T22:51:00.003-04:00

He gives us the laughter of children
To sweeten the toil of our day
He gives us the softness of evening
To soothe our cares away
He gives us warm shoulders to lean on
Should we need to rest for a while
And He gives us little babies
To make children and old men smile

He gives us sunshine and shadows
He paints the blue sky and gray
He gives us mountains and meadows
And sleep at the end of a day
He gives the moon for a candle
When the whisper of daylight grows dim
And He gives us just enough trouble
To keep us leaning on Him

He gives us the hill and the valley
The storm shrieking down from above
He knits them all together
By the threads of His wonderful love
How empty would be our boasting
How shallow our faith and dim
If He did not give us life’s trouble
To keep us leaning on Him

If we had the fruit of our wishes
How foolish our wanting would be
Never a weeping horizon
And never a storm-tossed sea
And never an earnest pleading
On our knees as the light grows dim
Never a reason for needing
To keep on leaning on Him

Janet~

And he changeth the times and the seasons; he removeth kings, and setteth up kings; he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that have understanding; Dan. 2:21

Greater Beauty

2011-06-10T22:45:00.002-04:00

He pours His love into the dawn
A pale blue glow ascending
Extending from a heavenly throne
His mercy never-ending
With verdant breath He clothes the hills
And sighing woodland tresses
As from the apple orchard spills
A thousand flowered dresses

He reaches deep beneath the earth
And probes the seed still hidden
Nature responds to heaven’s mirth
To do as it is bidden
Then out across a barren world
Stripped bare by winter’s taking
Nature’s glory is unfurled
In springtime’s grand awakening

Twilight creeps across a land
A new and silent splendor
I am drawn toward the Hand
Patient, kind and tender
For all the beauty of this day
Could never be sufficient
If guilt could not be washed away
By One; perfect, omniscient

I close my eyes to see a cross
Upon it the Creator
Where mercy’s blood-red river flows
Forever and forever
He clad the earth in beauty fair
His grand and glorious garden
But its beauty can’t compare
To nail-scarred hands of pardon

Janet~

Prayer For Guidance

2011-06-10T22:37:00.004-04:00

Lord, fill this weak and mortal cup
With passions of your praise
Until at Your dear feet I sup
In Heaven’s endless days

These fumbling, erring hands of mine
Lord, guide them by Your Spirit
And fill each humble task of mine
With heavenly joy and merit

Earth’s happiness is a vague shroud
Of Heaven’s priceless measure
Fix our eyes above the cloud
To high and holy treasure

Though now we strain through darkened glass
To understand life’s story
This little life too soon shall pass
Into eternal glory

Janet~

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11

Miracles Happen

2011-05-28T14:09:00.004-04:00

Just when you’re thinking that miracles don’t happen
They do
Right in the middle of life plain and mundane
There’s You
And all we need is to open our eyes
And it doesn’t take long to realize
The world is brimming and bountiful
And overflowing with miracles

The bud that was tightly sealed yesterday
Softly unfolds
A miracle revealed in breath-taking display
For mankind to behold
A small child’s warm arms wrap around us so tight
The breeze parts the clouds to release brilliant sunlight
We see heaven’s glory mirrored in a smooth puddle
And know it can only be a miracle

In the face of tragedy mankind must respond
And they do
As countless miracles abound
Seen only by You
Love reminds us that it will not fail
The past is behind us and cannot prevail
You are still compassionate and merciful
Showering us tenderly with miracles

Janet~

2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you. Ps. 63:2-5

Beseeching Thee

2011-05-19T11:27:00.004-04:00

Dare I to make one small request
From such a hand as Thine
When I have trampled Heaven's best
And drank the sinner's wine?

The folly of my sinful heart
Is never hid from Thee
Thou knowest every secret part
Yet lovest tenderly

Should I reserve from Heaven’s own
The best that I can bring?
Nay,yet I bow before Thy throne
With humble offering

Pleasure dies and then the man
And man returns to dust
Thou, my God and Thou alone
Art all that I can trust

Though man is like a fleeting breath
His day like fading grass
Thou wilt guide his way through death
As from this life we pass

Dare I to make one small request
From such a God as Thee?
Nay, but to ask Thy righteousness
To work its will in me

Janet

23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. Ps 139:23-24

In the Matter of Choices

2011-05-11T11:19:00.002-04:00

The world in lurid dissonance
Its paltry offering waves
But it cannot give hope a chance
Or reach beneath cold graves

It smiles with lies and cheating guise
To lure the seeker in
Its sordid prize lost as he dies
Too late to undo sin

The Father waits in patient love
He whispers at our door
He holds the keys to heaven above
And life forevermore

He will not break the holds we make
Nor will He walk away
In love He pleads to fill our needs
Before the Judgment Day

Janet~

Psalms 1

1 Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Only by God's Power

2011-05-06T08:30:00.002-04:00

Only by God’s power
The dormant earth renews
Softened by the shower
And the kiss of morning dews
The seed within the earths recess
Once more begins to sprout
Stirred by heaven’s tenderness
And spurred by nature’s shout

Only by God’s power
Breaks the dark and woody limb
As bud begins to flower
In a testament of Him
For though man gains great knowledge
There is nothing he can do
To draw the harvest from the earth
Or rain from skies of blue

Only by Gods power
Is true hope and grace restored
He touches every hour
With the whisper of the Lord
Only by God’s power
When the way is dark and dim
Can we see the light of promise
As we lift our eyes to Him

Janet Martin~

10 The breath of God produces ice,
and the broad waters become frozen.
11 He loads the clouds with moisture;
he scatters his lightning through them.
12 At his direction they swirl around
over the face of the whole earth
to do whatever he commands them.
13 He brings the clouds to punish people,
or to water his earth and show his love. Job 37:10-13

Empty Praise

2011-05-03T22:01:00.003-04:00

Oh Lord, You are amazing
How wondrous is your love
There is no other like You
Here below or up above

Oh Lord, I am unworthy
To be loved by a King
Amazed I stand before You
As I lift my hands and sing

Oh Lord, You are so awesome
Your mercy and Your grace
I’ll see You next Sunday
Same time; same place

Janet~

"'These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me. Matt. 15:8

One True God

2011-05-03T08:36:00.002-04:00

I do not know what I would do
If I could not rely on You
If I had no God to trust
But those ordained by hands of dust
I bow before You thankfully
As your mercy sustains me

What if the greatest powers known
Were held in gods of wood and stone?
No Spirit then to guide and keep
No Shepherd for these wandering sheep
We would tread a doleful road
Beneath a dark and hopeless load

I do not know what I would do
If I could never pray to You
If none would hear me as I plead
And pour out every fear and need
Where oh where would I go then?
If You did not care for sons of men

My soul is quieted within
Where oh, where can I begin
To measure Your great Love for me
Poured out in full at Calvary
I fall prostrate on the sod
Before You, our one true God

Janet~

I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else -- Deuteronomy 4:39.

He Changes Everything

2011-05-01T15:06:00.001-04:00

He was born in a stable, centuries ago
Left heaven to dwell among earth’s pain and woe
Why He was born, mankind did not know
But He was and that changes everything

Multitudes followed wherever He tread
Mystified by the wondrous things that He said
As the sick were healed and demons fled
At the Hand that changes everything

In fear they sought to kill Him then
This one who knew the hearts of men
As mobs screamed to Pilate “Crucify Him”
They did, and that changes everything

Scourging, mocking, thorns, a sword
Wounded Jesus Christ, the Lord
But they could not silence the words
He cried, and that changes everything

“It is finished” sins infinite price
Paid in full by His sacrifice
As He died; the life of Jesus Christ
Given for all and that changes everything

But oh this is not the end of the story
Death could never claim the victory
As He arose in power and glory
He lives, and that changes everything

Janet~

He is not here; he has risen! Luke 24:6

He wore Thorns

2011-05-01T08:05:00.002-04:00

If I must go a second mile
Of pain and misery
Lord, help me do it with a smile
For You wore thorns for me…

If I must suffer grief and woe
And count all things but loss
Remind me Lord, how long ago
You bled upon a cross

If I must daily die to self
Oh Lord, help me to see
The image of Your perfect Son
Dying on a Tree

If I am pierced with sorrow, Lord
Or treated here with scorn
Remind me of a cruel sword
And how You wore the thorns

Janet~

Have you ever been pierced by thorns?
While pushing my way through a thicket along the brook one day
I got caught on a thorny vine…
They were tiny thorns but it hurt!
…and He wore thorns for me!

...and they clothed Him in purple
and platted a crown of thorns
and placed it on His head. Mark 15:17

Looking for Love

2011-04-19T21:09:00.002-04:00

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

2011-04-18T08:33:00.002-04:00

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

2011-04-14T10:36:00.006-04:00

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

2011-04-13T20:43:00.003-04:00

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

2011-04-13T10:31:00.002-04:00

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?

2011-04-12T19:48:00.003-04:00

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

2011-04-12T19:32:00.002-04:00

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

2011-04-12T08:30:00.004-04:00

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

2011-04-08T19:14:00.001-04:00

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

2011-04-07T15:35:00.002-04:00

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....

2011-04-07T14:10:00.002-04:00

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

2011-04-06T14:05:00.004-04:00

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

2011-04-06T13:17:00.002-04:00

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......

2011-04-06T09:59:00.004-04:00

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......

2011-04-05T13:05:00.002-04:00

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.

Have You Seen His Glory?

2011-03-30T13:33:00.003-04:00

As He fell upon the ground and cried ‘Oh Father,
All things are possible with Thee
If it were possible, oh Father
Would You let this cup then pass from Me?
Nevertheless, not My will, oh Daddy
But as Thou wilt, oh Father, let it be
As He prayed and cried and wept in agony
Weeping blood-drops there for you and me
Oh tell me, have you seen His glory?

As He was stripped and mocked and scourged and beaten
Spat upon, He watched them bow in scorn
As the courts of men tried God’s holy perfection
And crowned Him with a diadem of thorns
Silently He bore false accusation
Humbly, He answered not a single word
He saw them in their pitiful condition
As they cried ‘Crucify Him’ to the Son of God
Oh tell me, have you seen His glory?

Above the sound of violent hatred screaming
Above the blows of steel ringing on steel
Above the angry thousands surging, teaming
Against the Hands that love, comfort and heal
Comes the sound of a Savior pleading
‘Father, forgive them for they know not what they do’
From His gentle hands mercy is bleeding
For the ones who hold the nails and pierce Him through
Oh, tell me, have you seen His glory?

His voice calls out above the groaning sorrow
To where loved ones weep in disbelief
As He beholds them in this hour of horror
He speaks a word of comfort to their grief
And then the Greatest words in all of history
Ring across the rock-strewn field and hill
‘It is finished’ Redemption, hope and victory
Immortal in the yielding of His will
Oh tell me, have you seen His glory?

Janet~

Matthew 26:39 (New International Version, ©2011)
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed,“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
This verse struck me profoundly the other night.
The imagery of the perfect Son of God
Falling with His face to the ground
Pleading to His Father….for us!!!!

Remind Me, Oh God

2011-03-30T09:06:00.002-04:00

When doubt o’er-whelms me like the dark of the midnight
When hope seems to crash like a wave to the sea
When all of the promises that our God has given
Fade in the gloom of despair’s misery
Remind me, oh Lord, what to do
And turn my eyes back to You

Remind me of the night where You wept crimson blood-drops
As You cried to your Father, ‘not My will be done’
As You prayed, not for Yourself but for Your beloved
Knowing what must be wrought by God’s Son
Knowing that only You could pay the price
For the debt of mankind with love’s sacrifice

Remind me to follow the blood-stained footsteps
As You carried Your cross to the place of the skull
Remind Me that You did not forsake any promise
As you died in the arms of Your Father’s will
Remind me of the price that You paid
As my sin on Your shoulders was laid

Remind me, oh God, through the death of Perfection
We become righteousness through Your blood
Offering our lives as a thankful reflection
Because we are now the children of God
And there’s nothing left for us to do
But to trust and follow You

Janet~

Romans 5:8-11 (New International Version, ©2011)

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Here Am I.....

2011-03-29T23:34:00.002-04:00

Maybe it’s just another sunrise
In a sense perhaps that’s what it is
Beautiful wakening of deep skies
But I believe it’s so much more than this
As the glory of a new day hails from high
I hear a mighty Voice say ‘here am I’

Here am I, the Father of compassion
Holding out my offering to you
As the Light rends the dark horizon
Piercing through the veil of somber hue
His power spreads across the morning sky
Flooding the universe, ‘Here am I’

Here am I, with perfect love unfailing
Here am I, the teacher of the sun
Here am I at the glorious unveiling
Of another day of grace for everyone
Look up, look up behold the glowing sky
And the Ruler of the morning, ‘here am I’

Here am I with mercy for a new day
Here am I, oh won’t you follow Me?
Here am I, the one and only true Way
Here am I, God of eternity
Won’t you trust the Painter of the sky?
Oh can’t You hear him saying, ‘here am I’?

Janet~

Lamentations 3-
22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”

No 'Free' in Freedom

2011-03-29T15:06:00.002-04:00

Up the somber, tree-lined street
The steady stream of solemn ranks are led,
As sun-beams dance to the drummer’s beat
Filtering through the branches overhead
Beyond the tears and past the trees
The music of a small child’s laughter swells
Stark contrast to the infantry
Bowing ‘neath the tolling of the bells

Then, as the bag-pipe sound exalts
The melody of sweet Amazing Grace
The banner-covered coffin halts
For it has reached its final resting place
The last note fades, the cannon flies
Echoing across a distant shore
But none as stirring as the mother’s cries
“There’s no ‘free’ in freedom anymore

Put down your banners, lay down your guns
My sweet baby boy has died
Tributes, salutes, many battles won
Won’t bring him back” she cried
“Take away all the roses for nothing will be
Like it ever was before
The price of freedom is too hard for me
There’s no ‘free’ in freedom anymore”

Freedom (part two)

Up the rocky skull-strewn trail
A teaming, screaming throng of hatred surged
Swarming ‘round a form so pale
Upon a place called Calvary they converged
Beyond the tumult, wild and raging
Not a solitary friend is found
Stark contrast to the shouts and praising
As the palm-tree branches decked the ground

Then as the sound of steel on steel
Rings beyond the horror on the hill
As they drive in each cruel nail
‘Gainst the cries of ‘Father, not My will’
And as they raise the blood-stained cross
In victory the maddened thousands roar
As Mary weeps her deepest loss
“There’s no ‘free’ in freedom anymore

Take away your hammers, lay down your swords
My dear precious son has died”
As the lightning flashed and the thunder roared
There at His feet she cried
“Take away all your hatred, your jeers and chanting
For you have slain my Lord
Take away all your weapons, your raging and ranting
There’s no ‘free’ in freedom anymore”

There’s no ‘free’ in freedom, oh what a price
So that we may be set free
There’s no ‘free’ in freedom, love's sacrifice
Is beyond understanding for me
There’s no ‘free’ in freedom, let us value each day
And cherish each living breath
Oh, what a price Jesus Christ had to pay
Our freedom paid by His death

Janet~

Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Behold Redemption

2011-03-26T09:22:00.007-04:00

Awake, awake and see the One
Who left the glory of His throne
God incarnate though He be
Became a Lamb for you and me
Lift up your eyes from shame and loss
Behold redemption on the cross

Awake, awake and cast aside
The chains of unbelief and pride
Look upon the cross and see
Perfect love’s humility
Paid in full, the debt we owe
As redemption’s blood-streams flow

Awake, awake come as you are
His fullness waits to heal, restore
Oh, see the perfect Lamb of God
As crimson tear-drops stain the sod
The curse of sin will not endure
His blood makes our redemption sure

Janet~

Isa. 52-55

I was reading in Isaiah and needed to re-read
This line multiple times to let its impact sink in…..
‘Yet, it pleased the Lord to bruise him…..’ Isa. 53:10
The Lord saw the finished work!!!!

So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. Isa.28:16

Come on, Everybody.....

2011-03-26T00:49:00.002-04:00

We call each other sister and brother
And gather to worship the Lord,
We politely smile as we meet in the aisle
As if in sweet accord,
We sit through the preachin’, nod at the teachin’,
Discreetly watchin’ the clock,
But if God hung up charts to reveal our hearts
I believe we would get quite a shock…..

Good grief! Why won’t the preacher sit down?
Does he know how fast restaurants fill up in this town?
Did you notice that Suzie has another new shirt?
She probably needed it to match her new skirt,
Mrs. Parker’s shoes must have cost a mint!
And Freda’s new hairdo makes her look like a kid,
Why can’t we sing a more modern song?
Mrs. Brown says anything but old hymns is wrong,
Why does Hank have such a smug look on his face?
Does he think maybe he owns the place?
COME ON EVERYBODY, LET’S SING A NEW SONG,
WHY CAN’T EVERYBODY JUST GET ALONG?

But still we nod and worship God,
This loving righteous King,
In ‘holy fear’ we gather here
To read His Word and sing,
We join in prayer, the cup we share,
Release to God each grudge,
And we admit there’s nothing hid
From this most righteous Judge…..

But isn’t the guy doing announcements boring?
Maybe that’s why someone behind me is snoring,
He should stop his rambling and ‘cut to the chase’,
Does he realize how much time he wastes?
Does nobody know how to keep it brief?
Oh, he’s sitting down, that’s a relief!
And we’re sitting on benches, though some prefer chairs
And still make mention of it in their prayers,
Which reminds me, they should pray for more discretion,
Last week they allowed a most lengthy confession!
COME ON EVERYBODY, LET’S SING A NEW SONG,
COME ON EVERYBODY, LET’S JUST GET ALONG

The ‘House of Peace’ where worries cease
Then, why all these complaints?
They preach too much on such and such
And not enough to saints,
Too much on his glory, not on the Story
Too little on how we live,
And still we fret ‘bout what we don’t get
Yet never seek to give

Today I’d like to sing a brand new song,
COME ON EVERYBODY, LET’S JUST GET ALONG,
In true humility and with one accord,
COME ON EVERYONE, LET’S WORSHIP THE LORD,
Lift up our voices and gratefully sing
To the God of our choices, Creator and King,
Let’s worship together in Spirit and truth,
It matters not whether we’re aged or youth,
Let God be our focus and not each other,
In true love let’s call ourselves sisters and brothers,
We’ll gather as servants around the Lord’s Table,
Worship in reverence, as long as we’re able,
And sing from our hearts His most worthy song,
SO COME ON EVERYBODY, LET’S GET ALONG

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

Yes, it is a re-run from a few years back
but the message still applies:)

This is meant to be
a humorous look at something
that in reality is no
laughing matter.

Be completely humble and gentle;
be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Make every effort to keep the unity
of the Spirit through the bond of
peace. Eph. 4:2-3

The Only Way....

2011-03-23T08:04:00.002-04:00

We’re a band of broken pilgrims
On a journey to a place
Where the only way of entry
Is through Christ’s amazing grace
God’s of earth have naught to offer
That can be sustained in death
But the gift of Christ’s forgiveness
Gives us hope through our last breath

All the vain gods of this old world
Have no merit of their own
But our redemption is unfurled
Through Jesus Christ, God’s only Son
This is our God, three in One
Father, Holy Spirit, Son
Father, Holy Spirit, Son

We’re a band of pardoned pilgrims
Our brokenness will cease
In the moment we reach Heaven
And we see the Prince of Peace
No other god would die to save us
Bear the sorrow of the cross
No other god compares to Jesus
And His love….their boast is loss

All the vain gods of this old world
Are but stubble, wood and stone
But the one God of redemption
Reigns supreme on Heaven’s throne
This is our God, three in One
Father, Holy Spirit, Son
Father, Holy Spirit, Son

Janet~

I am the Lord,
And there is none else
There is no God besides me. Isa.45:5

More of You.....

2011-03-22T14:52:00.003-04:00

You seep into me
Like the glow of the sun
You pour into me
Like wild rivers run
You breathe into me
Like a sky of pure blue
And I want to learn more.........
....so much more about You

You reach for me
Through the prayer of a friend
And I feel your touch
Somewhere deep within
The Hand that cradles
The vast ocean blue
Reaches for me…..
And I want more of You

Bright as the morning
Soft as a dove
I feel the wonder
Of Your perfect love
Breathing into me
From out of the blue
And I reach for more…
…so much more of You

The Creator of earth
And heaven above
Fills me with worth
Through His wondrous love
There’s not one thing
That I can do
But reach out for more…..
….so much more of You

Janet~
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay Him? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:33-3

A Rich Reward

2011-03-19T20:15:00.004-04:00

It takes courage to write the words
That perhaps we would never say
It takes courage to love when it hurts
It even takes courage to pray
It takes courage to rise above
The force that begs our retreat
It takes courage to stay and prove
We will not accept defeat

It takes courage to say ‘I was wrong’
And it takes courage to make it right
It takes courage to remain strong
When temptation dangles its fair delight
It takes courage to stick to the truth
When it would be so much easier to lie
It takes courage to say hello
But far more courage to whisper ‘good-bye’

It takes courage to be a man
It takes courage to be yourself
It takes courage to take a stand
Instead of following every one else
It takes courage to do our best
It takes courage to trust the Lord
But if we do we will be blessed
For courage yields a rich reward

Janet~

The Report: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Tim.4:7)

The Response: "Well done, good and faithful servant.... Enter into the joy of your master." (Matthew 25:21, RSV)

Trying to Grasp...Eternity

2011-03-18T23:47:00.002-04:00

The ocean chuckled at my feet
I asked, “What does it feel like to hold
An eternity of turquoise in your palm?”
She looked at me with eyes translucent, sweet
And I’ll never forget the words she told
As her voice grew soft and calm

My hands hold but the merest drop
In light of eternity
If for ten-thousand years the clock would stop
But at the end you stole from me
One tiny drop of water
And this would continue until you could see
The ocean floor and its mystery
One drop every ten-thousand years would be
A day in eternity….

And if I should take as I lap at your feet
One single grain of sand
Then wait for a thousand years to return
For another in my hand
And if I should do this until every grain
In every beach across the world
Was in my palm,
And in the same measure
Return it again until every beach was restored
One grain of sand every thousand years
Until all of the sand is gone
Is simply a breath in eternity
A moment in its sun

The ocean chuckled at my feet
And then looked up at me
“As I am doing all of this,” she asked
“Pray tell, where will you be?”

All Rights Reserved
Janet Martin

For God so loved the world
That he gave His one and only Son,
That whosoever believes
Should not perish but have
Everlasting life! John 3:16

Fearing God......

2011-03-18T10:45:00.005-04:00

We fear You, oh God
Not with the fear
Of hopelessness and damnation
But we fear You
With a reverent awe
For you are the God of salvation

We fear you, Lord
With a holy fear
We worship You and adore
Giving You thanks
As we draw near
For you remember our sin no more

We fear you, oh God
For our righteousness
Is made possible only though You
We fear You, oh Lord
Not as the world
But as a wretched sinner made new

Janet~

Let us draw near with a true heart
In full assurance of faith,
Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience
And our bodies washed with pure water
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith
Without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised). Heb. 10:22-23

No Empty Promise.....

2011-03-18T07:12:00.003-04:00

When everything within us wants to quit
And the desire to persevere
Has faded with phrases like ‘this is it’
Accompanied with frustration’s tear
When we are o’er-whelmed by this life’s care
We know what we need to do
We need to fall on our knees in prayer
And give it all to You

You did not pose an empty plea
Or a polite invitation
When You said ‘Come unto Me
Ye weary, heavy-laden’
Lord, when we trust and come to You
How greatly we are blessed
What You promise us is true
Oh Lord, You give us rest

Janet~

Come unto Me,
All you who are weary and heavy-laden
And I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn of me
For I am meek and lowly in heart
And you shall find unto your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matt.11:28-30

Often I Wonder.....

2011-03-15T19:17:00.003-04:00

Often I wonder
About a place
They say it’s over yonder
And we’ll see Jesus’ face
No sorrow, no misery
Or heartache there
They say its beauty
Is beyond compare

Out past the stars
And the Milky Way
Jupiter, Mars
We will fly someday
I often wonder
How far it will be
Oh, how far is heaven
From me

It’s hard to imagine
Such a wonderful sight
Heavenly mansions
Where God is the light
I gaze to the heavens
Suddenly I see
It’s not very far
To eternity

There is just one breath
Separating me
Only God knows
When that one breath will be
As I take my last breath
It will open a door
And I won’t have to wonder
Anymore

Janet~

And the city had no need of the sun,
neither of the moon, to shine in it;
for the glory of God did lighten it....Rev. 21:23

Because of Who You Are.....

2011-03-14T23:14:00.002-04:00

Because of who You are, oh God
Believers rest secure
Though terror weeps upon the sod
We have a hope that’s sure

Because of who You are, oh God
Though tears of dread may fall
You keep us in each mile we trod
For You are in control

We know who You are, oh God
Though man destroys and kills
You tell us we should fear the One
Who casts lost souls to hell

Because of who You are oh God
The wicked one will fail
You will strike Your holy rod
Evil will not prevail

Because of who You are, oh God
We ought to bend our knee
How short the day of temporal sod
How long eternity

Janet~

And he said, ‘Go thy way, Daniel;
For the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
Many shall be purified and made white, and tried;
But the wicked shall do wickedly;
And none of the wicked shall understand;
But the wise shall understand. Daniel 12:9-10

Prayer Changes Things....

2011-03-13T15:50:00.006-04:00

Oh, dear God I see the news
Desperation and tragedy,
Japan, Lybia, Egypt, and China
Are some of what I hear and see
And as I look with sorrowful heart
I ask, Lord, what can I do or say?
You whisper, dear child you can do your part
You can pray and pray and pray

Janet~

Just as the apostle Paul had never actually
Met the Colossians when he wrote to them
He told them that he prays for them faithfully…..
We can do the same for all of our fellow-men

So we have not stopped praying for you
since we first heard about you.
We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will
and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Col. 1:9

Consider Him......

2011-03-12T21:37:00.002-05:00

Consider the lilies that grace the field
And deck the humble sod
Are they not ten-thousand miracles
Flung from the hand of God?
Consider the galactic brilliance
Where earth is but a mere molecule
Yet many deny God’s existence
As they scoff and ridicule

…and consider Love, it cannot be defined
With a logical explanation
Its wonder is above comprehension of mind
For it comes from the God of creation
And just like the intricate human brain
Is beyond man’s understanding
So too we cannot completely explain
Love; free and undemanding

Love was torn from limb to limb
And nailed upon a tree
Yet as His life-blood poured from Him
He sealed death’s victory
Holy, perfect, wonderful
Love cries out ‘it is done’
As sin’s vast debt is paid in full
By Jesus Christ, God’s Son

Janet~

…..consider the lilies of the field, how they grow
They toil not, neither do they spin;
And yet, I say unto you that Solomon in all his glory
Was not arrayed like one of these. Matt.6:28-29

When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers,
The moon and the stars which Thou hast ordained;
What is man that Thou art mindful of him? Ps. 8:3-4

Consider the work of God.
For who can make straight that which
He has made crooked? Eccles. 7:13