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Why Jesus Did You?

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From the ESV, in Matthew 16, I get this question: Why Jesus Did you? 

Matthew 16:13-20
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
why Jesus Did you. text on snowy ground with question mark

So I’d ask why Jesus these three questions: 

  1. Why did you need to ask the disciples who people thought he was?
  2. Why did you need to ask the disciples who they thought you are?
  3. And why did you charge them not to tell people who he was? 

Questions 1 and 2.

It Doesn’t make a lot of sense to me you know?   Wouldn’t Jesus already have known what people were thinking?  So then what point was he trying to make with the disciples?  Was he trying to reassure them that their thinking was correct?   I think I need to look into this with some additional resources.   

Well that wasn’t helpful!   I got all kinds of discussion on the district of Caesarea Philippi and why the crowds would say what they did.  Nothing on what the mindset of Jesus might have been.  And I guess that we can’t really know can we? 

But when John gets it right, Jesus gives him an “atta boy”  AND tells him how he got that knowledge.  I almost missed that eh? For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

God is the one who does it you know.  God is the one who intervenes into a person’s life and helps them see truth.   And perhaps that tidbit was the whole point of the question asking.   So that Jesus could point his disciples to truth.  God’s action in their lives matters to their salvation.   

It’s not your or my decision to follow Christ.  It’s God’s action in our lives that makes our salvation possible.  HIS action. 

And because of his action in Peter’s life Jesus could tell him. you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Do we Realize the Power?

So this makes me of course ask another question… Do we as believers realize the power that we have at our fingertips?   Jesus gave all this power to Peter. It doesn’t mean he gives all that power to everyone (doesn’t say that here does it?)  But it goes back to yesterday right? We have to remember who fights our battles for us.  It’s GOD.  It always comes back to God.  God who fights our battles, God who says to us tell this mountain to move by faith and it will move!  So think about that a bit. 

As believers we can do so much more.  We can BE so much more.  We have God on our side, God who moves mountains, leads by cloud and fire, feeds manna, stops rivers, and does all this amazing stuff.  AND changes the hearts of his people.  This is the God we follow and cleave our service and loyalty too. 

Question 3

And then he closes this section with telling his disciples to NOT tell anyone who he was.  This makes no sense to me.  Was it a timing issue I wonder?  Something that needed to wait until after his death?  We aren’t told in the passage why he issued that charge to them.  But he did this often.  Healing people of leprosy or blindness… don’t tell who did this.  

Hmm… I wonder.  You know how some people like to take credit for what they do and want everyone to know it?  Glory hogs I think you’d call them?  Jesus wasn’t a glory hog.  He just came to be about his father’s business.  Telling people about God and the things of God.  Teaching, preaching, healing etc.   Always and forever pointing people to God.   I wonder if that was the point.

why Jesus Did you. text on snowy ground with question mark

So What is Your Take Away?

When you read this passage do you see God?  Does it make you more aware of his power and action in your life?   Do you wonder along with me about why Jesus did you ask those questions and make those demands?  And perhaps have found some answers in my thought processes here? 

Remember Who Fights Our Battles

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As my homeschooling journey is starting to draw to a close, I’m trying to decide how I am going to use this blog.  A Net in Time has always stood for where I am in that particular moment in time.  All the blogging pundits say if I want to make my blog marketable I need to specialize my blog.   And honestly, I can see the value in that. But if I go to a blog that normally chats about a particular topic that I like and they randomly delve into something else I have a choice… I can read that post and learn more about the blogger mostly, or I can say “meh, I’d rather not.”.   

So until I really figure out what I want to do, I’m just going to write here.   I still get a lot of traction on my OLD homeschooling blog so I might just transfer all my homeschooling stuff over to that blog (despite the annoyance that might be) and just leave this as my “Let’s see where I’m at in this moment in time” blog… I dunno.  I’m still figuring that out.  Bear with me eh? 

Getting on with things though….

Anyways, I’m wanting to be more accountable in my devotional life and writing things out benefits me. I figure if it benefits me, it just might benefit you as well.  Today’s passage comes from Isaiah 50:7-9 in ESV.

7 But the Lord God helps me;
    therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like a flint,
    and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
8     He who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
    Let us stand up together.
Who is my adversary?
    Let him come near to me.
9 Behold, the Lord God helps me;
    who will declare me guilty?
Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment;
    the moth will eat them up.

remember who fights our battles

Remember who fights our battles…

I read an article not that long ago where the illustration a person gave a Christian college student faced with a professor who disdained Christian values. She was told as part of the class if she espoused her faith values and presented them she would not do well in the class.  This was a class she needed to take so the understandable question was… what should she do?   The writer’s response was… being disliked for holding to our faith should be expected. This world is not our home.  We live in a battleground and if we don’t know it as believers, we should. We should actually rejoice (even though that seems hard to think eh) in the fact that we face trials.  For two reasons… one, it shows our faith in action.   And two, it shows God at work.  Perhaps not in ways expected, but still, it’s God at work. 

This passage in Isaiah reminds me of that.   Isaiah is clear.  The LORD GOD helps. And because he helps, even if it might seem like we are disgraced, we actually are not. Therefore we can stand firm. 

Consider that God stands with us.  He is the one who contends for us (in other words, he fights our battles for us).   And we know through the sacrifice of Jesus, that the battle has already been won. 

We can say these words with Isaiah “Behold, the Lord God helps me; who will declare me guilty?“

I suppose we also need to remember.  If we stay under that challenge, can we be a witness… one perhaps not expected? 

Remember who fights our battles

Loving the Imagery

I love the imagery used here, don’t you?

Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment;
the moth will eat them up.

I don’t know if you have ever seen a moth eaten garment.  They become quite thread-bare and full of holes.  Often times it seems like a wind will gust them away. 

We need to think of our opponents like this. To see their very frailty.  Especially when you consider who they are battling!  They aren’t fighting you.  They are fighting God himself, creator of the universe, the designer of all that is around us. It is a losing battle being fought, don’t you know?

Doesn’t mean it is easy.  

IT IS NOT. 

It’s not easy to go into a class and know that despite your best work you might not do well. The hardness that is real as a young person faces a teacher who disparages their faith at every opportunity.  Or to face colleagues who don’t get it, or judge you unfairly. Employers who might insist you need to work Sundays.  To be passed over, judged, or dismissed because of your faith. Political correctness taking a toll.  Governmental leaders who seem to listen to everyone except those of faith. How do you hold up to it?  

We must get on by remembering who is fighting those battles.

Seriously. It’s our greatest strength.   God himself.  Minding your back, minding mine, holding the load for us, so that all we have to do is stand.  That’s it.  We need to stand firm and let God manage the rest.   Keep it in your mind, Remember Who Fights Our Battles!

Blackout Book Club

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (Blackout Book Club) through Nuts About Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and is so much appreciated. 🙂

So it was kinda funny.  I often take my review books to work and my co-workers would often raise their eyebrows at me when… I would cry out “NO NO NO!!!  That can’t happen!!”   Or I would start laughing at something Ginny would say or do.  I often received comments that “Annette, you are too invested in that story!”    I would just grin and say “A good story gets you invested!”  I will heartily recommend The Blackout Book Club to you!   Go out… READ IT!  Laugh, think, read… and be inspired to read more! 

The Blackout Book Club

The basic details of The Blackout Book Club

Title: The Blackout Book Club
Author: Amy Lynn Green
Publisher: Bethany House
Pages: 384
Genre: historical fiction, Christian historical fiction, WW2 historical fiction,
Intended Audience: Adult, young adult,
Additions: book club questions
Reviewed for: Nuts About Books
Formats available: Kindle, Audio, Hardcover, Softcover
Received: Softcover

Author: Amy Lynn Green

Amy Lynn Green is the author of several historical fiction novels.   I also reviewed her novel The Lines Between Us.  She does an excellent job of bringing history to life within the lives of people.   She’s worked as a publisher, teaches at writing conferences, and generally just loves to write and read.   On her website you can learn the history behind The Blackout Book Club. 

About The Blackout Book Club

1942, Avis’s brother heads off to war, she takes up his position as librarian in small-town Maine.  How can she help the town and her library?   Answer: Start a book club!  Complete with minutes, stories, secrets, and more.  Discover the battle against U-boats, Wartime solutions, and see history come to life. 

The Blackout Book Club

Digging Deeper!

You will love the characters in Ms. Green’s latest novel.   Ginny made me howl with laughter, Avis tried so hard and became something more. Louise, took her time to grow on my heart, and my heart ached for Martina and her secrets.   You’ll meet new characters like Freddy, Patrick, Russell, Gio, Oliver, Rosa and many more.  Some you will love and others, well, your thoughts will be less tender toward.  🙂  ALL will broaden your understanding of USA history and WW2. 

BBBC

Each chapter is written by a different main character.  Through these chapters we witness different parts of history and catch glimpses into the secrets of each person.  Some secrets are hard and are held close, but through friendship…. wow… it’s amazing what good friends help each other do. 

bbbc

Minutes are taken for the Blackout Book Club.  Mostly written by Avis, and occasionally by other members.  It was rather fun reading the minutes!

bbbc

Letters to friends are written, hardship and loss experienced, the realities of war lived out.  You’ll find the writing clear and inviting to read.  Nothing complicated, just a friendly story of people learning and becoming more among the stress of war. 

Should you read it?

Oh Please YES!!!   Add it to your bookshelves, loan it out to your friends, and enjoy a good read.   Don’t expect yourself to fall in love with all the characters with The Blackout Book Club, and there is a chance you won’t love some of the characters I did.  But expect to laugh, expect to hold your breathe in anticipation, and expect to learn more of USA history during WW2.  It’s a good thing that! 

As much as this is called Christian historical fiction I didn’t see faith playing a real role.  Did some of the characters possess faith in God?  For sure, but you can find that in any book.  To me it’s just a well-written story about a small USA town dealing with the effects of WW2. 

Have your highschool students read it as they learn more about some of the things the USA did to help in the battle of WW2.  More was done then simply sending soldiers off to fight in the war.  And seeing history lived out is fantastic.  When they are done, they could pick just one aspect and dig into it deeper too!  (if that’s what you want from them).  Your choice right?  🙂 

When We All Get Together

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (When We All Get Together) through Jenkins Group Inc. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and is so much appreciated. 🙂

Guess what I get to review today!!!!!   A lovely little picture book by a fellow Canadian… who ALSO lives right here in Ontario.  Heather Bradley introduces us to Canadian animals as she teaches us collective nouns.   I can’t wait to give you a glimpse inside!

When we all get together - heather bradley

The Basic Details

Title: When we all get together
Author: Heather Bradley
Publisher: Friesen Press
Winner: animal non-fiction category – moonbeam children’s book awards
Pages: 44
Intended Audience: children
Style: picture book
Formats: Kindle, Hardcover, paperback
Reviewed for: Jenkins Group Inc.
Received: paperback

About the Author:

Three dogs and several bird feeders round out the household of Heather Bradley as she resides in Lindsay, Ontario.  This retired elementary teacher, who also worked with the Ontario Science Centre, loves sharing her passion for nature with children. 

About When we all get Together

From a mischief of mice to a loveliness of ladybugs, groups of creatures have beautiful, descriptive names. Join the Canadian wildlife in the maple tree forest. They’re all gathering together one by one—until unwanted pests arrive!

when we all get together

Digging Deeper into When We All Get Together

Groups of animals on a variety of backgrounds fill the pages.  I love how the animals are NOT decked out in colourful costumes, but rather appear as they would in the wild.  Natural surroundings are included in each image as well. 

Spend some time learning collective nouns.  Can you believe that a group of bears is called a sleuth?!?!  What an odd term don’t you think?  Makes me think of a bunch of detectives running around trying to solve the local animal problems.  🙂  Can you see the fun children might have? 

Wolverines, Moose, Raccoons and more.   Can you guess what a group of them could be called?  And why would you call them that?  Why would a group of chipmunks be called a scurry? (perhaps from how they behave one might think?)

Did you know a group of cats is called a clowder?   Well, part of my small clowder was very curious about this book!  🙂   Figured you all ought to meet little Benji! 

Add to your shelves?

Learning collective nouns in a fun way. It’s a good thing that!  I love that the pages don’t vary where the text is.  This makes it very easy to cover up the text and have your children (or students) guess what the animal is and perhaps figure out what a group of them is.   It would be so easy to turn Heather Bradley’s book, When we All Get Together, into a group activity, a matching game, or spelling lesson.     

But even without the teaching aspect, it’s just an excellent little book about animals.  The fact that you learn about the collective nouns for each doesn’t diminish the fun illustrations.    And it’s so nice to see different Canadian animals don’t you think? 

I love the versatility offered in “When we all Get Together” and I think you will too!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

To Be a Witness

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So here I am, sitting at home on a Friday.  I’d intended to go out to the doc to get a thing on my foot looked at.  This would have been followed up by buying a couple of new-to-me shirts.  Instead, I’m at home, nursing a bad cold.  It sucks!   But you know what happened?  My boss, one of the sweetest girls I know, just a young thing.  Texted me asking how I was doing and asking if I needed anything.  I said “ice cream”… so she brought me ice cream.  It’s making my throat feel better.   When I saw the prompt of witness I thought wow… my boss is being a good witness of how to be kind.   She grew up going to church, but her faith… well, let’s just say other aspects of her life fill me with questions.   So it makes me ask more seriously of myself, what does it mean to me to be a witness?  Can people understand I’m a person of faith by what I do and say?  Can they see that knowing God matters? 

To be a witness (text) image writing on a laptop

To be a Witness

Wondering why it is
necessary to provide
a witness.
Won’t God just call
whom he will through
signs and wonders and
nature all around us?
Can’t people just read
His words written out for us?

Incredibly I find
in God’s word this call
Go out into all the world
telling them about me,
telling them about how I have
worked in your life, time and again.
Initiating conversations about
the spiritual.

Telling people, in action as well
as with word, for without
the word, will your actions be
understood for what they are?
God at work in your life
and through you, in theirs!

NOW is the time, not
tomorrow or the next day or
filling your mind with regrets
about all the actions and words you
didn’t take the day before or in any
of your yesterdays. God says GO.. that’s an
action word calling us to get going
today. Move, talk, and witness to those
in your sphere of influence.

Expand that circle,
yes I know it’s hard, to
reach out to people outside your
norm. But God didn’t say to just
go to your friends and family but
to go out into the world.
That’s a bigger sphere than
you might want it to be, but
God didn’t say pretty please,
he said Go, tell.

but how to be a witness?

Say it. I know, it’s hard.
but consider this:
Going involves so much more
than we might think. I know that for
some going is making good videos
explaining complex spiritual truth in a
simple manner. Others are financially generous
and others indeed are magnificant prayer warriors
all in support of those who can actually,
physically get up and go.

Stamping envelopes, writing letters,
prison ministry via letters and bible
courses, and babysitting for the pastor
so he and his wife can visit people in need
more easily. Baking meals, manning
a food kitchen/pantry, so many ways
for people to take their time, to
follow God’s command to go
and tell. To be a witness.

To be a witness (text) Image: person serving soup

God Speaks to Us

Philippians 3:13-16

13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Isaiah 43:10

“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
    “and my servant whom I have chosen,
that you may know and believe me
    and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
    nor shall there be any after me.

Matthew 28:18-20

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[b] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Irving Berlin

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product (Irving Berlin) through Arcadia Publishing. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and is so much appreciated. 🙂

Irving Berlin is a well-known composer that perhaps you might like to know better.  This time of year we often sing I’m dreaming of a white Christmas.  Wouldn’t it be great if you could introduce yourself and/or your children to who he is?   Paul M. Kaplan walks us through this rags-to-riches story of America’s most popular commercial composer in Irving Berlin: from Penniless Immigrant to America’s songwriter. 

Irving Berlin by Paul M Kaplan

The Basic Details

Title: Irving Berlin: from penniless immigrant to America’s songwriter
Author: Paul M. Kaplan
Publisher: Pelican Books
Pages: 144
Intended Audience: 11-17 years, writing level grade 6-8
Formats: Kindle, Paperback
Reviewed for: Arcadia Publishing
Format received: paperback

About the Author

I was actually unable to discover much about Paul M Kaplan.  I did learn that this is his seventh published title and second biography for young people.  You can catch a list of his books on GoodReads.

About the book

Irving Berlin and his family fled anti-Jewish Russia before he went on to become one of America’s most popular commercial composers. As a self-taught pianist, Berlin is responsible for many hit songs such as “God Bless America,” “White Christmas,” as well as the musical Annie Get Your Gun. Author Paul Kaplan traces the path of the man behind the songs through this rags-to-riches story and Berlin’s place in the music business in the early twentieth century, including the tragedies that befell him on this journey.

Digging Deeper into Irving Berlin

Fifteen chapters round out this 144 page biography of Irving Berlin.   Written in an easy to read style with short chapters and loads of pictures. 

Chapters are aptly named and stick to the topic and follow easily after each other.  I like a biography that follows a life historically and doesn’t jump back and forth.  Makes it easier for younger readers too!  🙂 

At the close of the book you’ll find a glossary, notes, and references pages.  Each of the 45 images clearly states where it came from and helped bring Berlin’s history to life. 

My thoughts

So I initially thought this, I can write this review without reading this book.  Looks like a decent book, the couple pages I read in the middle read well, ergo easy review.  I had a cold though and needed something to read, so I started at the beginning.  Lo and behold, I couldn’t put Irving Berlin down.  It was so interesting.   I love a well-done biography, don’t you? 

I learned about immigration, pluggers, singing waiters and more. Learning how the music industry changed over the years was intriguing, and helped me understand a bit of where we are today. Irving Berlin (formally Israel Baline) has led a fascinating life that all started with loving to listen to his dad sing. 

I can easily see Mr. Kaplan’s book being used as a biography for youth in grades 7-10.  It would be good to have them read it and pick one theme from Berlin’s life to research.  It’s good to know more about a country’s history don’t you find? 

Far from simple

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Did you know that this is the simply the last word prompt of the year?   I know…. I’m devastated too!  But as Kate says, we all need a break once in a while.  🙂   The prompt?  The word Simple.  It’s such an easy word in many ways, and yet… perhaps not.  Our faith is far from simple I think, and yet, the simplest thing ever.  Why does it get so complicated sometimes? 

far From Simple

Far from simple

This morning in church, a
sermon I didn’t expect
was preached.
Talking about politics
and how people so often
expect politicians to solve
the issues in society.

We look for heroes to save us
and so often miss the
saviour that is right
in front of us.
A saviour who came in
a rather unexpected way,
and wasn’t quite what was
predicted by Balaam.

I see him, but not now;
    I behold him, but not near:
a star shall come out of Jacob,
    and a scepter shall rise out of Israel;

As Jesus didn’t exactly come
with a scepter in his hand did he?
He came as a baby, grew as a boy,
turned into a man, with a short
active ministry life.
A life in which, yes, he showed
his power over wind, wave, animals,
and influenced more people than
we’d ever know.

And yet, this simple boy, this
baby, son of God, influences
millions of people worldwide.
Sometimes in ways hurtful, but
if we truly remember, if we think
to what his message is…
it’s a far from simple one.
Glorify God.
Enjoy him forever.

Do we remember to do that?
Do we remember that he is
to always be our focus?
And as we focus on glorifying him,
we have the benefit of
ENJOYING him.
Do you enjoy knowing God?
Is it part of the joy of your day
to spend time with him?
Or to talk about him?

Seems so simple
and yet,
so many of us that profess
to know the Lord
and claim that he knows us
full-well indeed,
so many of us struggle
with making him a regular,
daily, intimate part of
our lives.

Far from simple maybe eh?

far from simple

God Speaks

Numbers 24:15-19

15 And he took up his discourse and said,

“The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor,
    the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,
16 the oracle of him who hears the words of God,
    and knows the knowledge of the Most High,
who sees the vision of the Almighty,
    falling down with his eyes uncovered:
17 I see him, but not now;
    I behold him, but not near:
a star shall come out of Jacob,
    and a scepter shall rise out of Israel;
it shall crush the forehead of Moab
    and break down all the sons of Sheth.
18 Edom shall be dispossessed;
    Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed.
    Israel is doing valiantly.
19 And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion
    and destroy the survivors of cities!”

Psalm 86:8-13

There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,
    nor are there any works like yours.
9 All the nations you have made shall come
    and worship before you, O Lord,
    and shall glorify your name.
10 For you are great and do wondrous things;
    you alone are God.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
    that I may walk in your truth;
    unite my heart to fear your name.
12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
    and I will glorify your name forever.
13 For great is your steadfast love toward me;
    you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.