Showing posts with label heaven. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heaven. Show all posts

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Fond Yonder-World of 'Soon'


Yesterday afternoon on our south-facing deck in a cozy crook of sunshine
 I wiggled my toes (and blew my nose, due to sudden head cold) 
profoundly taken by an immense Sense of Impending Soon!

Celestial rivers meandered overhead...




Perhaps, due in part because
it's been a less-than-normal snowy winter so far,
stoking thoughts with bucolic scenes of 'Soon'







In a fond, yonder-world of ‘Soon’
Unravels summer’s afternoon
Uncurls a river, silver-bent
Unfurls earth’s mirth of winter spent
Unwinds a lane, wildflower-fringed
Beyond a gaping gate unhinged
Leading through lilac hedge and tress
To front row seats to happiness
To loiter where daffodils sway
To climb the young, green hills of May
To leap like lambs, with joy because
The world rings/sings with Winter That Was

...where pockets jingle, full of June
In a fond, yonder-world of ‘soon’
Where brooks chuckle, content to glide
Without hype, through the countryside
To welcome we who once were wishin’
For yellow dusk, perfect for fishin’
For zephyr-soft caress to brush
Our pallid cheek with sun-kissed flush
And to be humbled by a prize
Of bursting buds beneath blue skies
And to be sweetly glad because
Twilight is later than it was

…where the fond, yonder-world of ‘Soon’
That cheered a dull, chill afternoon
Has rent the veil that held at bay
Laughter of barefoot child at play
And countless little pleasantries
Bidding us take an hour’s ease
To revel ‘neath the influence
Of bloom-imbibed exuberance
Enchanted by a brimming world
Of nature’s orchestras unfurled
In melodies and colours of
A Composer whose name is Love

…who stirs in us a yearning croon
For a fond, yonder-world of ‘Soon’
Where pastures green and waters still
Unmarred by grief and pain will spill
Where farewell’s tear will never dim
The eye, no solemn parting hymn
Will sever ties that briefly bound
Us to a time, four-season-crowned
With here and there a glimpse for we
Who dream of how Heaven will be
Then faith does not lose heart because
Soon this will be the world that was

© Janet Martin

With here and there a glimpse for we
Who dream of how Heaven will be...


Heaven-

Rev.21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. 
There will be no more death 
or mourning 
or crying 
or pain,
 for the old order of things 
has passed away.”






Monday, February 6, 2023

Witness in the Making


The funeral service my husband and I attended today 
was closed with this sacred text from
the final words in the Holy Bible;
Rev.22:12-17&21
12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, 
and I will give to each person according to what they have done.
 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, 
the First and the Last, 
the Beginning and the End.
14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, 
that they may have the right to the tree of life 
and may go through the gates into the city. 
15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, 
the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters 
and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you[a] this testimony for the churches. 
I am the Root and the Offspring of David, 
and the bright Morning Star.”
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” 
And let the one who hears say, “Come!” 
Let the one who is thirsty come; 
and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life...

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. 
Amen.



What will be said of you and I when we are laid to rest
Oh, what will be the legacy that transcends mortal goals
After we cease the evidence of what we now love best
When the reward of Recompense its sacred summons tolls

What are we doing to prepare for what waits one and all
Nobody knows how near or far we are to earth’s farewell
Thus, this sojourn is no eat-drink-be-merry festival
It is the holy prelude to either Heaven or hell

Where what and who we love most consumes thought’s most earnest quest
As thought’s most earnest quest turns into choice and consequence
And writes what will fill memories as we are laid to rest
And only God can break the seal that reveals Recompense

What will be said of you and I when death collects its due
Depends on here and now and how we use life’s little lease
Oh, pray that what will be remembered most of me and you
Is our love for God portrayed in love, hope, joy and peace

When we face what we all will face but once forevermore
What will God say when you and I step from this transient shell
When we witness the evidence of what we most adored
Will the reward be Heaven's joy or agony of hell?

© Janet Martin




Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Where Multitudes Still Follow (and many turn away)



Matt.4:16-17&25
The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light,
And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death
Light has dawned.”
   From that time Jesus began to preach and to say,
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven [c]is at hand.”
Great multitudes followed Him—


It's been a gloomy stretch of weather here...


The billows of snow from a little over week ago reduced
in short order to puddles!

We long for the great light of the sun after a long stretch of none,
yet, this but a mild comparison to the light of the world that has already come
and eternally pierced the darkness of sin and death!
Are you living in the joyful light/awareness of God's great love for you?

***

Multitudes followed Him where a Great Light had dawned
In the manger at Bethlehem, 
then Egypt and beyond
The One, prophets foretold of glory’s suffering
Had stepped to redemption’s threshold, 
the hope of man to bring

…calling all to ‘repent, for God’s kingdom is near’
Goodness and mercy’s covenant 
would pour in gory tear
Where faithful unto death the Lamb of God became
For the believer’s dying breath, 
life only death can claim

…and Jesus is the Name whereby mankind is saved
No minor prophet, He who came 
to conquer death’s dark grave
With a great light unfurled throughout eternity
Jesus, the Savior of the world 
can set death’s captive free

The light that cannot dim still gleams unto this day
Where multitudes still follow Him 
and many turn away
But those who trust behold what bold doubters ignore
Of signs that prophets long foretold 
when time will be no more

When the clouds will be seared, and every eye shall see
And look upon the One they pierced
 with their iniquity
And the whole world will wail at the sight of I AM
His power and glory unveiled 
as all ‘behold The Lamb’

But lo, all who repent and died to self are saved
Their names are written on the hands 
that Calvary engraved
But oh, all who refused 
love’s grace and truth to claim
Are released, by their choosing to 
Hellfire's unquenched flame 

© Janet Martin

I kept veering from the last line,
inadvertently trying to 'soften' it
but why?!!
life/death is a Heaven or hell matter!
there is no in between!

P.S. it feels fantastic to be upright without a spinning head after a day in bed with the flu.
My heart and prayers have been rekindled for those who spend day after day in bed!
My sister-in-law (Karen) is in the hospital since last Thursday 
suffering from a twisted bowel. Please join me in praying for her healing and
her and her family's encouragement!
My cousin who is an invalid due to MS, 
and his family appreciated your continued prayers as well!




Friday, September 16, 2022

Until Then...



The last line in today’s Our Daily Bread devotion is this:
Until then, we live, work, pray, and wait in hope.”

The prettiest 'pretty'

the most marvelous 'marvel'




the most beautiful 'beauty',


or most delightful 'delight' 

...pales profoundly in comparison with what
awaits believers after this life...

***

For believers this world is the worst they will ever see.
For unbelievers this world is the best they will ever see
Source for quote unknown
***

For divine words to teach us so we do not drift away

Until the crown of life is won, we humbly hope and plead

The joy still set before us will not let faith’s light grow dim


Until we witness face to face what Time was all about
Pray, we commit to run life’s race with endurance, not doubt

But until we are serious about knowing God's word

Until we repent and believe, hell waits in every breath


1 John 3:1-10 BSB
Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. 
And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. 
2Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. 
We know that when Christ appears, a we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. 
3And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure.b

4Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness.c
5But you know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin.
  6No one who remains in Him keeps on sinning.
 No one who continues to sin has seen Him or known Him.

7Little children,d let no one deceive you: 
The one who practices righteousness is righteous, 
just as Christ is righteous.e 
8The one who practices sin is of the devil,
 because the devil has been sinning from the very start. 
This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil.

9Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; 
he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
  10By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: 
Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God,
nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

What a hymn this will be!

"We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One who is and who was [g]and who is to come,
Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
18 The nations were angry, and Your [h]wrath has come,
And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints,
And those who fear Your name, small and great,
And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”
Rom.11:17-18

Sunday, July 10, 2022

Living With An Almost-Heaven Viewpoint

 Beulah Land


turned my train of thought down a slightly different track today...

Living with an Almost Heaven Viewpoint shifts our point of view
Makes us more aware of caring about death’s approaching due
Keeps us keened to what is promised that will forever endure
Rather than the cross upon us or temptation’s dangling lure

Time is such a fleeting measure, just a vapor, my dear friend
The soul is the single treasure that will final breath transcend
No matter where feet may take us or what success we may boast
‘Almost Heaven’s viewpoint tunes us to The Thing that Matters Most

What a joy when we envision as we pay Devotion’s Price
Jesus standing where the mission of true love is sacrifice
Jesus smiling as we smile back while we give and give and give
Because Almost Heaven waits after this little life we live

© Janet Martin

Matt.25:40
And the King shall answer and say unto them, 
Verily I say unto you, 
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, 
ye have done it unto me.

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

This Is Not Heaven Yet...

Thank-you God for Your love,
making possible our love,
for joy and beauty that makes earth bearable...

this video sings of hopes of spring...


even if the weather does not😅


Happy Middle-March!

I’d like to be light-hearted, not a worry in the world
But this is earth, not heaven; this is ‘walk by faith’ unfurled
These streets are paved but not with gold, save when the sun goes down
The autographs of love engraved on crosses, not a crown

I’d like to leave behind the kinds of things that break our hearts
But this is earth, not heaven; this is where mercy imparts
Sufficient grace for what we face; the Unknown like a veil
We cannot rend but must depend on He who will not fail

I’d like to be carefree without a shadow of a doubt
But this is earth, not Heaven; this is what Hope is about
While human nature wonders at the higher ways of He
Of Whom creation thunders with Manifest Clarity

I’d like if well-worn happiness was not so full of holes
But this is earth, not Heaven; this is the garment of souls
Where, not for very long we weather whatever we must
While moments thin the tether twixt God and man’s shroud of dust

I’d like to be light-hearted, not a worry or a care
Because no one is suffering life’s sorrows anywhere
But this is earth; faith’s birthplace where we groan, weep, trust and pray
This is not Heaven yet; where God will wipe all tears away

(Some say that Heaven waits for all; if so, Christ died in vain)
Some turn hard hearts toward God here, yet hope Heaven to gain
Oh, pray we seek and know the truth of salvation and grace
Where earth, not Heaven is man’s sacred preparation place

© Janet Martin

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


John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Romans 5:1-4
Therefore, having been justified by faith, [a]we have peace 
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 
2through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, 
and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 
3And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, 
knowing that tribulation produces [b]perseverance;
 4and perseverance, [c]character; 
and character, hope. 
5Now hope does not disappoint, 
because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts
 by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Sunday, July 4, 2021

As We Behold, Face to Face

 

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:
 now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1 Cor.13:12


Now we see through faith’s glass darkly
But then, face to face, someday
When the murk of all things earthly
Is dissolved and washed away
Then there will be no more questions
As we, behold with rapt gaze
He who tested Best Intention
With Mercy’s mysterious ways

When this splash of dust is settled
And the ash of days wind-blown
We will no longer be nettled
By the whys of the unknown
Then there will be no more sorrow
As we behold, face to face
Without need to beg or borrow
He who saved us by His grace

He, by whom we are forgiven
Teaches us to trust His Word
While the way twixt earth and heaven
Is like a glass darkly blurred
But then, in death’s sacred barter
When we meet its awesome Yet
As we behold God, our Father
All our longings will be met

© Janet Martin

(and I shall see Him face to face)



Sunday, May 16, 2021

The Other Side of Why/Clouds

May has offered up a ceaseless cloud panorama
both in the sky and on the ground💔😢





Many sky-lovers gaze up at the underbelly of clouds and marvel
at their show, quite oblivious to the golden light dancing and dazzling
the other side of them.
 (from the ground we only ever see the dark side of clouds)

Clouds; we prefer them in the sky rather than
the metaphorical clouds of life which press and darken days.
But some day the other side will be revealed and the 'why'
of many a care and test will dissolve in the resplendence of 
the glory of the Lord.
As so magnificently described in yesterday's devotion from the book 
Storms in the Desert...



We cannot see the other side of clouds that hide the light
That dazzles vaults and valleys veiled from the limits of sight
Faith's Substance of things hoped for, Evidence of things not seen
May lead where waters seem not still, nor pastures soft and green 

We cannot understand the Higher Thought and Ways of He
Who orchestrates the pontoons that sail heavens boundless sea
Nor can we comprehend the fulness of the miracle
Till heaven flings ajar its gates and fades faith's tear-stained hull

The other side of trial's tears of suffering will be
Not thousand or a million years, but for eternity
So, thus we fight the sacred fight and pray faith will not fail 
Until God's Everlasting Light will rend time's transient veil

Janet Martin

1 Cor.13:12
For now we see through a glass, darkly; 
but then face to face: now I know in part; 
but then shall I know even as also I am known.


Friday, July 3, 2020

In Thee...


  In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; 
let me never be ashamed: 
deliver me in thy righteousness.
Psalm 31:1 KJV


In Thee I put my trust
Though naysayers abound
And many confuse love and lust
And what is holy ground

In Thee hope is secure
Without, all else is vain
In thee faith’s foundation is sure
And death will be my gain

In Thee I fix my gaze
Beyond this broken world
The Fullness of love’s humble praise
Will ever be unfurled

© Janet Martin


Thursday, April 9, 2020

The Sweeter, Calvary


 The heavens offer an endless buffet of awe...
from morning to evening yesterday, a constant declaration of God's glory!
"The heavens declare the glory of God; 
the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
Psalm 19:1

The less earth has to offer
The more we start to dwell
On what awaits hereafter
(Either Heaven or hell)
Heaven, the glorious promise
To those who trust in He
Who sent His Son to save us
From hell’s eternity

The less earth has to offer
The more we start to think
About the Divine Author
Above life’s little blink
We ponder the estrangements
That cut us down to size
And start to make arrangements
For Soul that never dies (if we are wise)

The less earth has to offer
The dearer Heaven waits
Time’s tear-anointed coffer
But the Segue to Gates
That will either swing open
To faith’s focus revealed
Or, past the point of pardon
Remain forever sealed

The less earth has to offer
The more our spirit yearns
For a Place so much better
Than this world’s brief returns
As eager expectation
Begins to override
Our natural inclination
To selfishness and pride

The less earth has to offer
The more we cling to God
The trials that we suffer
May seem a grievous rod
But wakes in heirs of heaven
A weight, worthy of care
The gift of sins forgiven
And hope beyond compare

Far sweeter than the laughter
That thrills this death-stoked dome
The endless ever-after
Of Heaven’s home-sweet-home
Forbid we stoop to scoffing
Truth’s Sole/Soul Supremacy
The less this earth's cold off'ring
The sweeter, Calvary

© Janet Martin

And if we are children, then we are heirs: 
heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ
—if indeed we suffer with Him, 
so that we may also be glorified with Him.
The creation waits in eager expectation 
for the revelation of the sons of God.…
Romans 8:17-19