Have I Told You Lately....?

I’m thankful for the clear blue sky,
The laughing breeze, the butterfly
That wafts above the yellow and the blue…
I love the way the day dissolves
And the painting that evolves
As western skies bid one more day adieu
The smell of jasmine in the spring
A dusty summer evening
Midnight’s hush when all my work is through
But dearer far than all of this
Lord, is Your loving graciousness
Have I told you lately, I love You?

The laughter of a little child
The gale that blows so fierce and wild
The rainbow as it arches through the gray
I love soft whispers in my ear
From the lips of loved ones dear
And in that moment troubles melt away
I love the calm after the fight
Wandering in the pale moon-light
I love eyes that shine in crystal blue
But I love One far more than these
Blessed author of my peace
Lord, have I told You lately I love You

I love a cross all stained in red
I love the One who bowed His head
And loved us in our sinful hopelessness
I love the perfect thorn-pierced brow
And still I cannot grasp just how
He loved us more than our vast sinfulness
I love the words ‘God, it is done’
As death and victory become one
And sinful man can now be born anew
I love the crimson tears that fell
To save mankind from death and hell
O Lord, my God, how I love You

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Janet Martin

He is my loving God and my
fortress, my strong-hold
and my deliverer,
my shield in whom I take refuge...Ps.144:2

What Could Have Been.....

Sometimes I find, as the music
Filters softly through my mind
It stirs in restlessness within
As I wonder what could have been….

Sometimes I find as your memory
Caresses the song in my mind
I quell the sigh that breathes within
As I ask myself…..what could have been

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Janet Martin

Trust in the Lord
with all your heart
and do not
lean on your own understanding...
In all your ways acknowledge Him
and He will make your paths straight.Prov.3:5-6

Stay in School

The poems I write are simple to read,
Cause I aint got no college degree,
A professor, I fear I would not delight
But when God speaks I try to write,
Scholars may snicker, perhaps even sneer,
But that won’t make me shed a tear,
The Lord put me where I am for a reason
An’ I aint gonna question, but just try and please Him

I don’t got as much book-learnin’ as I should get,
But He sure aint done teachin’ me yet,
An’ the lessons in the school that I am in
Can’t simply be written with paper an’ pen,
Some tests I fail an’ frustration cries
But my Teacher sez failure can make us wise,
So guess I’ll struggle a little longer,
My Teacher sez struggles make us stronger

Naw, I aint as smart as I’d like to be,
But my teacher don’t mark in A’s, B’s or C’s,
He’s more concerned ‘bout my hearts condition
An’ how I’ll fulfill my earthly mission,
His lessons I often too soon forget,
Guess that’s why He aint done teachin’ me yet,
So I’ll not question but keep on learnin’,
There’s a Book that records the marks I’m earnin’,

No I aint very wealthy or very wise
But I’m pretty special in my teacher’s eyes,
So don’t be a fool, obey all the rules,
Kids (of all ages) stay in school!!
Hey!!! Cool!!! Like, yeah, like that’s really like cool!!!:)

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Janet Martin

I found myself stretching to my 'tippy-toes'
in my mind grasping at the things just
beyond my reach!!!!

I Believe....

I believe that fishing poles and little boys
Forever will go hand in hand
I believe that my bare toes
Were made for walking in the sand
I believe that little girls and giggles
Never will go out of style
And I believe love’s tender kiss
Is simply heaven in a smile

I believe with every new babe’s birth
Angel feathers drift down from the sky
And I believe that heaven on earth
Is a midnight garden in July
I believe in moments wasted
If they are in sunshine or in love
And I believe that I have tasted
More than my fair share of goodness from above

Oh I believe in many friends
And few that ever really understand
I believe that honor, truth and loyalty
Are the traits of a true man
I believe that I will never know
Just how truly vast and deep
Is the love that God poured out below
Until I touch His hands and feet

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Janet Martin

Release

The many sad mistakes I’ve made
March like a maddened parade
In front of me, they laugh and pass
Like ghosts within my looking-glass
They taunt me and torment my mind
Reminding me that they will find
Me, when I’m weak or feeling low
Cold and cruel, this phantom show

I close my eyes and stop my ears
To block their cries and mocking sneers
And just as I’m about to fall
A victim to their heartless call
I sense a Presence in the room
Lingering, like a sweet perfume
Victory, sweet, sweet release
I fall into His arms of peace

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Janet Martin

Midnight Spell

You draw me…
Like a lover’s eyes across the room
And I come…
Casting off my shroud of gloom
Mystery flickers….
‘Round every charcoal bend
Shadows whisper…
Silence is my friend
You draw me…
Tease me with your silver gleam
And I come….
Cradle of my dreams

You draw me…
Past rustling corn-fields painted gray
And I come….
Shedding the sorrows of my day
With out-stretched arms…
You beckon, I cannot resist
You draw me…
Past the nodding daises, moon-light kissed
And I come…..
Climb the midnight wind-tossed hill
Into your arms
Where time stands still

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Janet Martin

Chance to Fly

Oh, I would wander down the lane
Of childhood if I could
Oh, I would linger once again
Within the emerald wood
Where teddy bear and forget-me not
Would whisper in the wooded lot
As unsuccessfully I sought
Fulfillment to my dreams

I would go if given a chance
Back to the care-free sun
And in the evening shadows dance
In childhoods meadows run
And there within its dusty breath
I’d ponder things like heaven and earth
And give another new dream birth
And long for freedom's wings

Ah, freedoms wings have come at last
But still I cannot fly
For childhoods winsome dreams are past
My wings can’t reach the sky
But now and then my longing glance
Envisions childhoods carefree dance
And I know if I had the chance
I think I’d try to fly

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Janet Martin

From Horror to Heaven

If man would have a front-row seat
To view my heart and mind
With thoughts arranged all nice and neat
I’d wish they all were blind
‘Twould truly be a horror show
How pale would be each face
For now each one would truly know
The depths of my disgrace

And I would never lift my head
In shame my hands I’d clasp
Their judgment calls my daily dread
As I recall each gasp
Of horror, hatred and disgust
As they would turn away
Ashamed to view the pride and lust
So boldly on display

But there is One who knows each thought
And intent of my heart
Yet with His love and blood He bought
For me a brand new start
Instead of judgment there is grace
In every day I live
So with a tear upon my face
I cry and He forgives

(last verse optional)

No longer bound by sin and shame
His grace is ever new
His greatest promises I claim
Each day His mercy too
So humbly now I lift my head
And look up to the skies
And thank Him for the blood He shed
And my eternal prize

Janet Martin
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....for he bore the sin of many
and made intercession for the
transgressor. Isa.53:12

Blue Moon Lullaby

The blue wind moans in languid tones
Across the sleeping hills
Where once we danced and laughter glanced
Upon the wooded rills
The drooping flower which graced the hour
Before the lowering sky
Has shed its tear as we both hear
A blue moon lullaby

The feathered leaves of willow trees
Lay strewn like golden snow
And from the sky a distant sigh…
My dreams of long ago
The mournful song of old and young
Blend in the lone birds cry
For none can pass on yester’s grass
In a blue moon lullaby

The blue wind moans in languid tones
Its sonnet fills the air
It stirs the dust where soon I must
Relinquish every care
What is man, this briefest span
Of life before I die?
A bud that grows to a withered rose
In a blue moon lullaby

And thus the years like petal-tears
Lay scattered at my feet
Whilst distant gleams of faded dreams
Waft o’er my lone retreat
But then I hear a Voice so near
Breathe from the purple sky
I know tis He who speaks to me
In a blue moon lullaby

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Janet Martin

We had a ‘blue moon’ new Year’s Eve

Sometimes....

Sometimes it seems to take a cross to make your servant strong,
Sometimes it seems to take a loss to help me sing Your song,
Sometimes it takes a higher hill to bring me close to you,
Whatever it is, I’ll trust Your will, I know You’ll see me through

Sometimes it seems to take the rain so I can see the sun,
Sometimes it takes the bitter pain to melt my heart of stone,
Sometimes it takes a tempest soar to make me hold Your hand,
To make me trust a little more though I don’t understand

Sometimes it takes great sacrifice to find the wealth I own,
And only when we pay its price Your deepest love is shown
It sometimes takes a walk through fire to bring a clearer shine,
It sometimes takes the bog and mire to find Your strength divine

Whatever it be through flood or flame or through the valley low,
Your love for me will be the same for You have promised so,
And though it sometimes takes a tear to help Your servant see,
Tis then I glimpse a love so dear; the love You have for me

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Janet Martin

I'll Love You Anyway

In silence you ignore my plea
As I approach you turn from Me
It seems you simply cannot see
I’ll love you anyway

You coldly shun My tender voice
Making other loves your choice
Responding to this world’s loud noise
I’ll love you anyway

You may run but you can’t hide
For My voice is deep inside
Stronger than your fear or pride
I’ll love you anyway

I long to save you by my grace
I see the sorrow on your face
Why do you turn from My embrace?
I’ll love you anyway

Hate is strong but love is stronger
You may wait but I’ll wait longer
Only I can fill your hunger
I’ll love you anyway

Do not wait til life is past
To say that you believe at last
The shades of night are falling fast
I’ll love you anyway
Every day
Always
From
Your Father

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Janet Martin

Here I am. I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door
I will come in and eat with him and he with Me. Rev.3:20

My New Year Prayer For You

Everyone needs a shoulder to lean on
Everyone needs a hand to hold
In every day we all need someone
Someone to talk to when gray steals the gold
So I wish for you on this New Year’s Day
Someone to love you in spite of the gray….

Everyone needs somebody to dance with
Someone to share in life’s sweet melody
Someone to hear each note of the music
Deep in the night while the whole world sleeps
So I wish for you on this New Year’s Day
Someone to share with you life’s melody

Everyone needs a friend they can laugh with
Someone to share the silent tears
Someone to carry them through life’s dark battles
Someone to care about failures and fears
So I wish for you on this New Year’s Day
One true friend who will love you this way

Yes, everyone needs somebody to talk to
A friend or a soul-mate, in sun or in rain
Everyone needs a little understanding
Courage to love in spite of the pain
Everyone needs You, dear Lord I pray
That they will see You on this New Year’s Day

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Janet Martin

To Him who is able to keep you from falling,
and to present you before His glorious Presence
without fault and with great joy,
to the only God, our Savior be glory,
majesty, power and authority,
through Jesus Christ out Lord,
before all ages now and forevermore! Amen

Jude 24-25