All for the glory of Christ

Janet's Poetry

 

Janet Meadows
A Place of Prayer Load of Calvary Confession
One Way Be A Serving Spoon Why Me?
Joy to The Lord Faultless in God's Presence Today's Trouble
The Next Thing What Would Jesus Do? Walk in the Wind
The Same Boat A Prayer for Mary My House
Burden Bearer

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A PLACE OF PRAYER

  And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray."--MATTHEW 14:23 

Often Jesus,  leaving others behind, 
Would go alone to a place of prayer 
To talk with His Heavenly Father; 
Sweet fellowship the Two would share. 

Friend, do you have a special place 
To be alone with your Lord; 
Where you can freely talk with Him 
And learn from His Holy Word? 

If not, will you begin this day 
A habit with Him to meet; 
To receive His instruction, peace and love, 
As you sit at the Master's feet? 

Janet Fenton Meadows 
              7/29/99
"

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Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God.
 --JOHN 3:12 NASB

WHY ME,  LORD?
When I think that the Creator of the world,
 And the God of the universe,
 Has made Himself known to me
 And saved me from sin's curse,
 I am amazed and overwhelmed
 That He should love me so.
 For who am I that He should bend
 To one so weak and low?
 I understand not why this wonderful 
          grace
 Should have been given to me;
 But I'll thank Him for this precious gift,
 Praise and serve Him eternally.

         Janet Fenton Meadows 
                   1/3/99

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"This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as have loved you."

-- JOHN 15:12(NASB)

WHAT WOULD
JESUS DO?

As you walk in life each day,
Remember Jesus walks with you;
In the choices you must make,
Always ask,What would Jesus do?

Throughout the day, wherever you go,
Decisions you will have to make;
But if you will be like Jesus,
You must decide for others' sake.

 Jesus would always do the loving thing;
The thing which is  kind and true;
If you follow His example each day,
You'll know what to say and do.

Janet Fenton Meadows
8/12/97

 

The Load Of Calvary

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed."

         -- 1 Peter 2:24

In His own body on the tree, 
He bore the sins of you and me. 
So that to sin we all might die; 
And live to righteousness, thereby. 

By His wounds, healed we are; 
In His body He bears the scar. 
And so, from sin we are set free-- 
His righteousness poured into you and me. 

*Forever gone, our sins that He bore;
They'll be remembered nevermore. 
His work on Calvary was so complete; 
Let us worship forever at His feet. 

With faith in Him, let's deny not the Power 
That is given to us to live each hour, 
Not enslaved to sin anymore, 
But by His Power temptation endure.

By Janet Fenton Meadows 
1997 

*with gratitude for the inspiration
verse adapted from poem: 
Forever gone the sins Christ bore, 
His work is so complete, 
They'll be remembered nevermore; 
I worship at His feet. --Anon.
 
 
 

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". . . that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."
--ROMANS 10:9-11(NASB) 


CONFESSION
If with your mouth you will confess,
And in your heart believe;
That Jesus is the risen Lord;
Then peace you will receive.

Belief in our heart makes us right with God;
Confession confirms our salvation.
All our hope is in Christ our Lord,
He is our firm foundation.

Janet Fenton Meadows
8/5/94

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TODAY's TROUBLE
 "Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

-- MATT 6:34 (NASB)

Sufficient for today is the trouble thereof, 
So don't worry about tomorrow. 
Trust in God's mercy and in His great love, 
To get through today's pain and sorrow. 

Just follow His lead and do what you can, 
To overcome evil today, 
And leave the rest in His mighty hand, 
He's with you each step of the way. 

JANET FENTON MEADOWS 
8/8/97 

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BE A SERVING SPOON
JOHN 14:6 -- "Jesus saith unto them, I am  the way, the truth, and the life: no man  cometh unto the Father, but by me."
ACTS 4:12 -- "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby  we must be saved."

If others were to watch your life
As you go about living each day.
Would they see you as a fork, spoon or  knife,
In the things that you do and  say?

Would they see a fork that jabs at others,
Or a knife that cuts others down?
Or would they see  a serving spoon
That serves all those around?

If you would please your Master
And always to Him be true,
Like Him, you must serve others,
Doing as He would say or do.

So place yourself within His will
And as a serving spoon in His hand,
He can use you to serve others
As you follow His every command.

Janet Fenton Meadows
October 21, 1999
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FAULTLESS IN GOD’S PRESENCE
Jude 18:24-25
 When in God’s presence I shall stand,
 Faultless, then, I shall be;
 I’ll bear the righteousness of One
 Who died upon the tree.
 
 Safe from falling, He will keep me,
 By His mercy I shall stand,
 In His presence, live forever
 In a place that He has planned.

 Under His power and dominion,
 Glory to our God I’ll give;
 And with all exceeding joy,
 In His presence forever live.

 Janet Fenton Meadows
  March 26, 1998
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ONE WAY
Friend, are you going to heaven?
Well, yes, I think that I am.
Tell me, my friend, is it because
You trust in the blood of the Lamb?

Well, I don't know; you see, I'm good;
I don't do things that are wrong;
I try to live the very best I can,
And my morals are upright and strong.

But, my friend, you don't understand:
Your goodness will not take you there;
By yourself you can never be good enough,
The glories of heaven to share.

You see, to be fit for heaven
Demands perfection in every way;
It's not if your good outweighs your bad
That will get you to heaven some day.

For unless you've never committed a sin--
Neither in thought, word nor deed--
Can you be worthy to enter there;
No, friend, we all stand in need.

In need of a Savior whose perfect life
Was given up on the cross
To make restitution for everyone
Who otherwise would be lost.

Jesus Christ is the only one
Who ever lived perfectly true.
And it's only through faith in Him,
That there's salvation for me and you.

So, friend, won't you bow in prayer
And pray to the Father above,
Thank Him for sending Jesus,
That you might know His great love?

Then admit you need forgiveness
Of sin that is in your heart,
And ask Jesus to enter your life,
Never again to depart!

He'll do it, my friend, for that's why He died;
That's why He arose from the grave;
Yes, He became your substitute,
So that your soul He could save.

Save you from sin and save you from hell,
And give you eternal bliss;
Yes, my friend, He did it for you;
There's no greater love than this!

So won't you put your trust in Him?
And then, my friend, you can know
That on that day when He calls for you
To heaven you'll surely go.

Yes, to heaven, there's just One Way;
Nothing else will ever do;
You must trust in Jesus, God's Son;
Only He can take you through.

Janet Fenton Meadows
9/26/87
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NEHEMIAH 8:10 (NASB) Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH."


Joy to the Lord
I stand amazed, O God, when I think it is so,
That I can bring joy to You when my thankfulness I show;
Thou art the Great and Holy One; I am the weak and small,
And to know that I can make You glad just fills my heart with awe.
My strength to serve You, O Lord, I find in Your joy each day,
So help me, Lord, to praise You more and to You my homage pay.

Janet Fenton Meadows
9/4/93

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THE NEXT THING
Philippians 3:13-14
 Dear Lord, I prayed, forgive me
 For the things I’ve left undone.
 Opportunities to serve you,
 I’ve let pass by, one by one.

 And, Lord, forgive me also
 For the things I have done wrong;
 He answered, you’re forgiven,
 Now don’t tarry here too long.

 Arise now, do the next thing
 That I have for you to do;
 Don’t let past failures hinder,
 Just remember I’m with you.

 You cannot change the past;
 What you did or did not do;
 Let the past be gone, my child;
 You’re future waits bright and new.

 We will go on together now,
 Just trust me and let me guide;
 Remember you are not alone,
 I’m always at your side.

 Arise now, let’s be going;
 We will leave dispair behind,
 And journey on together
 Doing the next thing that we find.

 Janet Fenton Meadows
 2/18/93

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 About Janet

JANET FAYE (FENTON) MEADOWS is married to Pastor Don Meadows.  They serve the Maple Street United Methodist Church in Lancaster, OH, where they have been since 1996.  Janet is a homemaker. Besides her poetry, she  is very active in the church.  She is the chairperson of the Missions Committee and a teacher for the Spirit Sprouts program, which meets each Wednesday.  A graduate of Ohio University, she taught elementary school for 13 years before marrying Don.  They were married June 9, 1977.  She and Don have been privileged to serve several churches:  In Portsmouth District -- Pleasant Valley - Hallsville Community Charge; South Salem Parish (Lattaville, New Bethel, Fruit Dale and South Salem); Findlay District -- Wharton - Big Oak Charge; Defiance District -- Countryside Chapel in Convoy; Athens District -- Pomeroy United Methodist Church; Portsmouth District -- First United Methodist Church; Newark District -- Maple Street. 

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Mark 6:50-51(NRSV) He (Jesus) spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Then He got into the boat with them.

THE SAME BOAT

When upon the sea of Life

My boat is turned and tossed,

When wind and waves surround me,

And I’m afraid I will be lost

Help me remember then, Dear Lord,

When trouble’s all I see,

That everything will be all right;

You are in the boat with me.

We are in the same boat, Dear Lord,
I’ve nothing now to fear.
Nothing now can harm me
When You’re so very near.

The winds will cease, the waves will rest,
As You speak and they obey.
And I will lean upon Your breast
In a clear and sunny day.

When the storms of life assail you,
And you feel you can’t go on.
When the waves splash high around you,
And your hope is all but gone

Remember, Jesus loves you.
He will surely see you through.
Just turn and look beside you,
He’s in the boat with you.

We are in the same boat, Dear Lord,
I’ve nothing now to fear.
Nothing now can harm me
When You’re so very near.

The winds will cease, the waves will rest,
As You speak and they obey.
And I will lean upon Your breast
In a clear and sunny day.

Janet Fenton Meadows

8/15/2002

A PRAYER FOR MARY*

A Walk In the Wind

I took a walk with my dog today;
The wind was blowing, it seemed to say:
Come, Little Leaves, with me and play.

They flitted and fluttered in the air,
And I was so glad that I was there:
I felt God’s Presence everywhere!
Piles of leaves were in the street;
Raked by men to make their yards neat;
But the leaves were eager the wind to meet
And floating in the air they seemed to say,
We’ll play with the wind one more day;
Before the street cleaners sweep us away.
The sight I so very much did enjoy;

.And I wondered if the leaves were God’s toy

As a kite is to a little boy.

Janet Fenton Meadows

10/30/96

 
Dear Jesus, be with Mary;
Take care of her today;
Let Your Power touch her
In every needed way. 
 
Let her feel Your Presence;
Show her that You care;
Let Your love surround her,
Help her burdens to bear,
 
Bring healing and comfort to her
Her strength again renew;
Thank You for doing this, Jesus,  
We give all the glory to you.

Janet Fenton Meadows

7/26/88
*Mary Gaskill of Countryside Chapel, but written for all friends suffering illness.

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MY HOUSE
In this little house of mine
May the love of Jesus shine;
May each piece of funiture sing
Of Jesus Christ, my Lord and King.
May the walls and windows tell
That Jesus Christ within does dwell;
May the floors and ceilings be

Witnesses of His care for me.

Janet Fenton Meadows  10/16/96

PROVERBS 55:22 (NASB) Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

Burden Bearer
Cast your burden upon the Lord

Then there comes a peace so sweet

And you He will sustain; Into my troubled breast;
O, what peace and joy are mine

For I know that He has heard

When I this promise claim. And answered my request.
I go to Him with everything Yes, cast YOUR burden on the Lord,
That makes my heart despair; And you He will sustain;
All my sins, grief, doubts and fears He’ll give to you a peace so sweet
I take to Him in prayer. That words cannot explain.
He always listens patiently 
To all I have to say;

I ask Him to take control Janet Fenton Meadows
And work things out His way. 1986

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