Showing posts with label stars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stars. Show all posts

Thursday, July 1, 2021

Star-Trek


The pulpit from which the sermons through
my childhood were preached is tattooed with echoes of this verse (among others)
2 Pet.1:10
Wherefore the rather, brethren, 
give diligence to make your calling and election sure:
as Ira Brubacher's passionate cautions reverberated through the building
(and which I thought, back then, were quite repetitive)
but now begin to understand his pleading 
often accentuated with a somber, softened 'ye-e-e-s! y-e-e-e-s!
Because no one can afford not to make their calling and election sure!
No one can afford eternity 
without hope, without light, without goodness, without God



Our journey through the stars to God
Is traveled on earth’s blip of sod
A myriad of highs and lows
Until the sacred curtain close
When beyond the shortfall of sight
The mystery of Soul takes flight
Whether a feather or a bird
The flight of Soul is undeterred
Untethered in that final breath
To the un-brevity of death
Whether we believe or deny
The Soul will prove God does not lie
Where time is but the toll we trod
On soul-journeys through stars to God

© Janet Martin

Saturday, April 4, 2020

Twixt Stones and Stars...

It is Palm Sunday Weekend!
Last evening the bow that God first placed in the heavens after the flood
felt like a tangible reminder of I AM with us!



We touch the heavens with our eyes
Tangle with frames of paradise
And lest the stones cry out, we praise
The God of love’s mysterious ways

The tears that weep from yonder skies
Fill pockets deep inside our eyes
Where grief and joy its fountains probe
And drench the hemline of Hope’s robe

...while stars and stones spar deep within
The soul’s scarred carriage of frail skin
We fear, we pray, we mourn, we laugh
And cling to Mercy’s rod and staff

...with hope that will not lead to shame
Fixed on Love’s everlasting name
We praise when we are vaunt to doubt,
Lest God forbid, the stones cry out

That mustard seed of faith we crave
Will be enough to help us brave
This interlude twixt stones and stars
Till deathless soul breaks through yon bars

© Janet Martin

Praise Him with joy's salutation
Praise Him with fear
Praise the Author of salvation
With a tear

Praise Him from the highest mountain
from the deep vale
For Love's Goodness everlasting
will not fail 

Praise Him with anthems of gladness
Praise Him with groan
Praise Him with prayers borne of sadness
We are not alone

 © Janet Martin

  


28After Jesus had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
29As He approached Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, He sent out two of His disciples, 30saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’”
32So those who were sent went out and found it just as Jesus had told them. 33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked, “Why are you untying the colt?”
34“The Lord needs it,” they answered. 35Then they led the colt to Jesus, threw their cloaks over it, and put Jesus on it.
36As He rode along, the people spread their cloaks on the road. 37And as He approached the descent from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of disciples began to praise God joyfully in a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen:
38“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!”c
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”d
39But some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!”
40“I tell you,” He answered, “if they remain silent, the very stones will cry out.”
Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem
(Isaiah 29:1-16)
41As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it 42and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. 43For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. 44They will level you to the ground—you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.e



Monday, December 6, 2010

Star-struck........


Silver pebbles on a vaulted shore
You gleam as clearly as in days of yore
Unaltered by the sands of time
I gaze upon your starry clime
Immeasurable depth, unfathomable sphere
Dazzling sash across each year

Though sudden cloud may heave or sigh
And draw its shroud across your eye
Though sun may rise and dim your light
There you are when it is night
Lambent wonder, celestial Muse
Unconquered splendor; your avenues

Above a landscape silver-brushed
Above the ocean, gleaming, hushed
On fields where once men fought and died
On crosses standing side by side
Timeless beacons on a shore
Where none can tread your jeweled floor

What is man compared to thee?
Orbit to infinity
We may flaunt our greatest boast…….
One grain of sand upon your coast
What is man compared to thee?
A tiny ripple on a sea

Janet Martin