A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Faith

I Need Thee Every Hour

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It’s a bit of a tough time we’re going through right now eh?  Covid-19 shutting down places of business, people losing jobs, death, sorrow, and people being shut in their own homes.  I wonder about people who have no one in their lives, who will check in on them?  What if they got the strain of Covid that makes it hard to breathe, how will they get the help them need?  Who will speak for them? What about people who live in difficult situations?  Who will see if everyone is shut indoors?  As I ponder these thoughts, this song came to mind and therefore I share it with you.  I need thee every hour by Annie Hawks. 

Lyrics

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

Refrain

I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.

Refrain

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

Refrain

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.

Refrain

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessèd Son.

Refrain

I need thee every hour

About the Author and Hymn

Annie S. Hawks wrote over 400 hymns during her lifetime, but I need Thee Every Hour is her only hymn that continues to be sung regularly.  She wrote it in 1872. 

A deeply personal song, according to the cyber hymnal Annie said 

“One day as a young wife and mo­ther of 37 years of age, I was bu­sy with my re­gu­lar house­hold tasks. Sud­den­ly, I be­came so filled with the sense of near­ness to the Mas­ter that, won­der­ing how one could live with­out Him, eit­her in joy or pain, these words, I Need Thee Ev­ery Hour, were ush­ered in­to my mind, the thought at once tak­ing full pos­ses­sion of me….”

The composer of the hymn, her pastor Robert Lowry said he added the refrain as per this article from GodTube. 

Thinking More

So I have to wonder, do I recognize my need for the Saviour?  There are so many times when I don’t you know?  When I think of myself as being pretty self-sufficient.  Yes, I rely on my hubby and I mind well my lad, but often I think… I can do this. I can manage just fine.  

Then God does something like this Covid-19 that weighs on my mind, and makes me concerned for others, and I recognize very much my need for him.  How he minds me just as I mind my lad (but perhaps a bit more attentively).  I am reminded that I need to rely on him even more than I rely on my hubby.  

Does this pandemic help you remember your reliance upon God?

Saints

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Nuts about books FTC

Today I am reviewing a book called Saints: Becoming more than “Christian”.  Bevere wants us to look past the label of being Christian to truly understanding we are called to be saints.  Saints who are followers of God, not Christians which are just a generic group of people. 

Saints by Addison D. Bevere

What I am Reviewing

Saints: Becoming more than “Christian” is written by Addison D. Bevere.  It comes as a beautiful hardcover book.  Such a solid feel to this book and it’s a pleasure to open. 10 chapters, 232 pages, with lovely chapter illustrations, and easy to read text. 🙂  I am reviewing it for Nuts About Books. 

Saints.

Wrapped in this ancient word is a divine invitation to discover who God created you to be and awaken to the life you were meant to know. Using Scripture and stories from his own experience, Addison Bevere makes a compelling case that the life you desire is found in the mystery of this sacred identity.

The Details on Saints

One of the first things you will notice about Saints is the fine craftsmanship.  This is a really nice book to hold in your hand and read.   Solid feed to the cover with a slightly rough texture making it easy to hold well in your hand.    

Each chapter open with gold coloured illustration.  I couldn’t always connect the title with the art work, but other times it was very connected. 

Saints by Addison D. Bevere

10 Chapters round out the pages, along with an appendix and notes. 

Saints by Addison D. Bevere

As you get into the text you’ll note references to scripture, ties into real life incidences, and impressions from the Lord.  I have to admit that I come from a faith perspective of using thought and knowledge to think deeper on the things of God.  So it’s difficult for me to understand someone who works from an emotional/impressions framework. Therefore I had this disconnect with the author during those sections.  Some translations of the Bible that I’m not familar with were quoted. 

Saints by Addison D. Bevere

My Thoughts

Well, there are parts to this book that I really like.  Bits and pieces that made me think and that’s always a good thing.

But there were parts that made me go hmm… I don’t think he’s being scripturally accurate, or he’s getting some details wrong here, or I don’t get the short form titles.  Some were off putting and had me putting the book down saying “I don’t need this dribble in my life.”   

I’d come back and skip ahead and read something that would make me think and say to myself “okay, there’s some merit”.   Pay attention to these, there is some solid stuff here.  Lines like “God cares more about what’s happening in us that what’s happening to us.” So true.  God wants to develop depth in us, a depth that reflect who he is. He won’t compromise on helping us reflect his glory. 

It’s a mixed bag.  Should you get it?  It’s worth reading in order to get past “Christianese” and think about what truly is important in the life of a believer.  BUT I urge you to read with open ears, eyes, heart.  Be alert to the checks in your spirit that say “hold on, this isn’t right.”  There are times when the author comes so close to truth and yet misses it completely. “God was trying to show me that it wasn’t about me proving my love for through my faith.  It was about me receiving his love by acknowledging his faith in me.”  

All I can really say is BE CAREFUL.  Read it if you want to think about the language and attitudes we have as believers sometimes. Think about what it means to be a saint. Give deep thought to what it means to be a follower of Christ 

Saints by Addison D. Bevere

Hope Offered

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Truth be told this week has been …. a challenge.  No other real way to tell it.  Hubby and son have been sick, and I spent two days with a horribly itchy eye.  It was rather besetting.  But let me not tell you of troubles, but instead of hope offered, of God seen in the midst. 

Hope Offered

Hope Offered

For I know the plans

Long before Covid was even a blip on the horizon
God knew.
He knew about how a virus could jump species
How a novel virus could cause the world to stop.
He knew. None of this surprises him.

I have for you

Life we thought could more or less continue
Hubby working, son schooling,
Mom selling bunnies and minding the house fullwell.
Yet God knew the plans he had.
He wasn’t surprised…but.. we were. 🙂

Declares the Lord

Yes, it is HE who makes the decisions
The declarer of schedules,
Thoughts and Ideals.
He knows how to rework them,
He says for our own good.
Can you believe it?

Plans to prosper you and not to harm you

Who would have thought the blessings
Illness could bring
Friends bringing groceries,
Time spent without pressure.
Time to clean, and tidy and winnow the mess.

Plans to give you hope and a future

What a blessing it is to spend time
With one’s life partner.
To have late night conversations.
Smiles…and hugs from afar.
Keep the virus from mom or we’re all sunk!

So says the Lord

Let me surprise this day
A gift you see is coming your way
A gift that reminds you of hope yet unseen.
A present so timely, you’d think it was foreseen.
Hold on….

Remember those plans?

Hope offered (a poem)

Bible Verse on Hope

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

The gift itself is not for your knowing, it was indeed a gift from the Lord, timed in a way that only he knew best.  My heart continues to sing.

Come visit us a FMF, Miss Kate offered up the word prompt Hope this week. 

This Beautiful Book

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ascot FTC

This Beautiful Book by Steve Green uses conversational language to help make the Bible more understandable.  You may wonder about the usefulness of such a book.  Why not just read the bible?  Let me tell you more about this review book, but first…..

I want you to take a moment.  Suppose that you know someone who wants to know God more but finds the bible difficult to approach.  Fear stops them from opening up God’s word. You tell them you can help, you know this other book which will help them to understand God’s word better.  Would they be willing to use that book alongside the bible? Or would they be willing to get a good grounding of the bible and then you can talk about it together as you look deeper into the stories?

This Beautiful Book by Steve Green

What I am Reviewing

Steve Green, president of Hobby Lobby, seeks to help us explore the bible’s incredible story line and why it matters to us today.   His book?  This Beautiful Book , a hardcover with fly, running at 223 pages.  12 chapters along with an appendix and notes.   Published by Zondervan.   I am reviewing this book for Ascot Media.  Bill High assisted. 

Green takes readers on a journey through the many stories of the Bible, some familiar and others less so, highlighting themes woven throughout the ancient writings. Drawing upon insights gained through developing the first world-class Bible museum, Green reveals the completeness and transformative power of Scripture. Green helps readers see the story within the story and makes the careful connections that help us appreciate the richness of the Bible as a single story. Each page will spark faith in a God who speaks to us across the centuries.

The Details on This Beautiful Book

Steve Green is the president of Hobby Lobby and the founder of the Museum of the Bible.  A man of God he wants others to know the Lord that he serves.  One way of doing that is by teaching people about the Bible.  Over the course of 12 chapters Mr. Green walks us through some of the great stories and themes of the bible. 

This Beautiful Book

I admittedly have not read through everything in This Beautiful Book.  I’ve skipped around abit, read through at least the first 1/3.  He writes in a very conversational tone. 

This Beautiful Book by Steve Green

As you can see, each chapter is lightly illustrated.  I found the graphics suited’ the style of Steve Green’s treatise nicely.  

He draws in examples and ideas from a variety of sources, such as the Narnia series, theatre, life events and more.   Mr. Green not only talks about the various themes throughout the bible (as found in stories, poetry and more) but also connects these to real life experience.  You’ll find printed off scripture passages and connected passages from old to new testament. 

This Beautiful Book by Steve Green

Should you buy it?

That’s a hard one to answer.  Do I think it’s worth reading?  For sure.  It’s great to get a fresh perspective. You can see the big picture of God at work throughout the whole bible.

I see the value you know?  For giving to a reluctant bible reader, for outreach, to new believers, to visitors to a church, and for high school students to give them a “friendly voice overview”.   

It’s just so friendly to read, it’s like sitting down with a mentor and just talking over the stories of the bible and how they connect to the big picture.  Of how we can better know God in the things he has done and the experiences he places in our lives.  It’s good. 

It’s SO not a replacement for good bible study though.  This book is not meant as such either.  But it is a thought provoking and interesting read, so yes, I do urge you to check out This Beautiful Book .  

Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

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A former slaver wrote Glorious things of Thee are Spoken, a song that speaks to God’s love for Zion and for his people.   I am most familar with the first four stanzas, but the fifth holds truth as well. 🙂  Get to know this Newton hymn, you’ll be glad you did!  🙂

Glorious things of thee are spoken

Lyrics

Glorious things of thee are spoken,
Zion, city of our God!
He, whose word cannot be broken,
Formed thee for His own abode.
On the Rock of Ages founded,
What can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation’s walls surrounded,
Thou may’st smile at all thy foes.

See! the streams of living waters,
Springing from eternal love;
Well supply thy sons and daughters,
And all fear of want remove:
Who can faint while such a river
Ever flows their thirst t’assuage?
Grace, which like the Lord, the giver,
Never fails from age to age.

Round each habitation hovering,
See the cloud and fire appear!
For a glory and a covering
Showing that the Lord is near.
Thus deriving from our banner
Light by night and shade by day;
Safe they feed upon the manna
Which He gives them when they pray.

Blest inhabitants of Zion,
Washed in the Redeemer’s blood!
Jesus, whom their souls rely on,
Makes them kings and priests to God.
’Tis His love His people raises,
Over self to reign as kings,
And as priests, His solemn praises
Each for a thank offering brings.

Savior, if of Zion’s city,
I through grace a member am,
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in Thy name:
Fading is the worldling’s pleasure,
All his boasted pomp and show;
Solid joys and lasting treasure
None but Zion’s children know.

this tune I am most familiar with

Author

John Newton wrote this hymn in 1779 for Book 1 of the Olney Hymns.   He collarborated on this hymnal with William Cowper.  How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds is just one of several hymns that Newton wrote. 

Newton intended this songs more “for public worship, and for the use of plain people”.  His evangelical heart yearned to help the poor and to be of service to the people of the church.   (source)   

John Newton is a former slave trader who turned abolitionist.  He loved the church and used music to help teach gospel truths. 

this tune is completely new to me

Pondering more

Based on Psalm 87 (ESV)

Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.

1 He has founded his city on the holy mountain.
2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion
    more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.

3 Glorious things are said of you,
    city of God:
4 “I will record Rahab and Babylon
    among those who acknowledge me—
Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush—
    and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’”
5 Indeed, of Zion it will be said,
    “This one and that one were born in her,
    and the Most High himself will establish her.”
6 The Lord will write in the register of the peoples:
    “This one was born in Zion.”

7 As they make music they will sing,
    “All my fountains are in you.”

Can you see the words of this Psalm in this hymn?  Does it help you understand Psalm 87 better?   Seeing God’s love for Zion and her people, it’s so apparent in Newton’s hymn. 

Aren’t you glad we can sing?

Savior, if of Zion’s city,
I through grace a member am,
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in Thy name:

My Son, If you Accept My Words

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FTC lavidge

Today I am reviewing a book for you from a mom who wanted to help her boy.  She so badly wanted him to know what God wants for him in his life.  Her original intent was not to share it.  You know though that word gets around, and so we are now able to share her words with you.  The book?  My Son, If You Accept My Words. 

My Son If you Accept my words

What I am Reviewing

My Son, If you Accept my Words is written by Sondra Lee.  Published by Westbow Press, and running at 182 pages.  Black and white photos dot the pages.  The sole purpose is to encourage young men to become the men that God calls them to be.  Learning how to live as a Christian man in a secular society is a challenge.  Helping our young men see scripture clearly and take God’s word to heart is an important step in that process.

The Details

My Son, if you accept my words cover 15 chapters.  The first nine chapters broaching on the lives of key biblical figures.  We’ll discuss Ruth, Isaac and Rebekah, Joseph, Samson, Joseph- Jesus’s Earthly Father, Mary, Hosea, Hannah and Peter.  

The last six chapters are

  • Identity Theft
  • No One Escapes
  • Guard Your Heart
  • Finish Well
  • Weathering the Storms
  • Sometimes the Journey is too Much
My Son, If you accept my words sample page

You will find KJV scripture printed out for ease of reading.  If you prefer to read in the translation of your choice it is easy to do. 

My Son, If you accept my words sample page

You’ll find that each scripture passage is followed up with an explanation.  These readings are directly based on the passage.   Occasionally the explanations were too personal, directed at her son and not a more general audience. 

My Son, If you accept my words sample page

Prayers were often included.  Prayers for God to prepare a young man’s heart, to guide his choices, and lead him throughout his life. 

My Son, If you accept my words sample page

Some of her advice is very practical. Like be discerning in what you believe, protect your reputation, give people no reason to gossip, and so forth.  Good advice for everyone, regardless of gender or age. 

I’m not going to say that I agree with everything she had to say, but there is much wisdom to be found within the pages of My Son, If You Accept My Words.  

My Son, If you accept my words sample page

Should You Get It?

I think so.  There is much that I would find useful as I guide my son toward maturity.  My prayer is that he be a solid man of God. The help that Sondra Lee provides will aid in that journey.   I haven’t read the entire book, I’m about 1/2 way through. 

The included prayers, the qualities to look for in a wife, and the abilities to develop in yourself as a young man make this a good book for a growing young man. 

I think one of the things I most appreciated was how focused Ms. Lee is to her purpose.  She pulled items out of the scripture text that I wouldn’t have previously considered as a point of manhood.  Ms. Lee worked hard to show scriptural reasoning for character traits young men need to develop.  She does the same for the traits to look for in a wife. 

In Christ There is No East or West

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I’m sitting here, watching Star Trek Enterprise with my sweetheart, as I try to recall the last time I sung In Christ there is no East or West.  It’s been quite a while.   I hope you take the time to get to know it, it’s a lovely hymn. I was so pleased to be reminded of it in the Lift Up Your Hearts hymnal. 

in Christ there is no east or west

The Lyrics

In Christ there is no East or West,
In Him no South or North;
But one great fellowship of love
Throughout the whole wide earth.

In Him shall true hearts everywhere
Their high communion find;
His service is the golden cord,
Close binding humankind.

Join hands, then, members of the faith,
Whatever your race may be!
Who serves my Father as His child
Is surely kin to me.

In Christ now meet both East and West,
In Him meet North and South;
All Christly souls are one in Him
Throughout the whole wide earth.

I grew up with this tune

Author of In Christ there is no east or west

William A. Dun­ker­ley is the author of this hymn according to the Cyber Hymnal, other hymnals attribute authorship to John Oxenbaum.  Oxenbaum is one of Dunkerley’s pseudonyms.  So regardless of who it is attributed to, it’s the same person.  🙂

William A. Dun­ker­ley lived 1852-1941, an Englishman. 

This is a new tune to me

Pondering Truth in a Hymn

Do you see it?  I know.. right now with people sequestering themselves away into homes and aways from fellowship with each other it might be hard to see.  BUT without Covid-19 interference, do you see that the church is one great fellowship of love?  We are all part of one body of believers, worshipping the same God.  Whether we are believers in China, Ghana, Europe, Australia or Canada.  One large body of believers. 

We are all gathered around Christ, he is our head, our connecting point.  So regardless of creed, nationality, or colour.  Let us remember that central truth.  We are all believers together. Let’s work together, proclaiming that Jesus is Lord!  Brothers and sisters, one and all, joined in faith.