A Net in Time

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Faith

Christ will be my Hideaway

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We were listening to Grace Toronto Church this morning and one of the songs they did was Christ will be hideaway. 

I don’t know how old this song is so I’ll just link to the lyrics as I don’t want to violate copyright.  🙂 

Basically, I liked it and thought I’d share it with you.  🙂 

This lovely song is based on Psalm 91.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
    and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
    and see the recompense of the wicked.

Christ will be my hideaway

What do you think of Christ will be My Hideaway?   Are you, like the author, called to remember that our trust needs to be in the Lord?  Remembering that he is our safety in a time of storm or uncertainty? 

I love that, through Christ, I can claim victory even when things are looking tough. There’s always a brighter side you know? 

By the Sea of Crystal

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You know what?  It has been a VERY long time since I’ve sung By the Sea of Crystal.  When I found it in my hymnal I starting humming it immediately.  Hubster, whose sitting within humming distance, quirked an eyebrow and named it!  So it’s good to know that he’s familiar with it enough to hear it through my humming!  🙂 

by the sea of crystal

Lyrics to By the Sea of Crystal

By the sea of crystal, saints in glory stand,
Myriads in number, drawn from every land,
Robed in white apparel, washed in Jesus’ blood,
They now reign in heaven with the Lamb of God.

Out of tribulation, death and Satan’s hand,
They have been translated at the Lord’s command.
In their hands they’re holding palms of victory;
Hark! the jubilant chorus shouts triumphantly:

“Unto God Almighty, sitting on the throne,
And the Lamb, victorious, be the praise alone,
God has wrought salvation, He did wondrous things,
Who shall not extol Thee, holy King of Kings?”

This is the version I am familiar with

Author and History

New Yorker William Kuipers penned the words to By the Sea of Crystal sometime in the early 1900’s.  He served as a pastor within the Christian Reformed Church.  Rev. Kuipers served in three churches in Michigan as well as one in New Jersey.  He was the author of several poems, hymns, and psalm versifications.

I don’t know this version

Final Thoughts

This song is based on Revelation 4-5.  In Revelation 4:5-6 we read “From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.”

Brings it home you know?  All those saints, from all over the world, gathered before the throne of God.  Can you hear the reverberation bouncing off the cyrstal?                                         

Close Communion Recovered

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It’s that day of the week again when Miss Kate gives us the word prompt of the week.  This week we are working with the word Recover.  Recover… to cover to have something placed over or around you, or to blanket an area (such as a ground cover).   To recover is to regain something, or to go back to normal, or even to retrieve a product for another use.  So knowing all this, what will I come up?  And so it mostly wrote itself.  Close Communion Recovered

Close Communion Recovered
Wooden blocks connected together on blue background. Teamwork, network and community concept.

Close Communion Recovered

A bridge broken
A deceiver came
and took a truth
and twisted it.

Just a bit
Just enough to sow
Doubt and confusion,
A turning to look at self.

A heart broke
Close communion lost
Yet still sought
And looking found.

Consequences spelled out
Pain and hardship
In working and childbirth
A head would be crushed.

Over the years
A great heart
Would continue to be
Broken but healing sought.

Always
Over and over again
Consequences laid out
End results promised.

Would people ever listen
Could a bridge to
Close communication
Again be built.

Then one day
A Son.
Born of a young girl
Who trusted God.

Out of a line
of people who
trusted God
Sought close communion.

This girl
and Her hubby
Learned to listen
To ponder God’s actions.

And so a boy
became a man
Growing in wisdom
Knowledge.

At age 12 he
astounded the teachers.
At age 30 he
frightened rulers.

He drew people in
Proclaiming
Son of man
Son of God

A bridge
close communion
with God
could be recovered.

Listen to him
Follow him
Chose the way
Of death.

Of death?
Really, was that the answer?
Death?
A Death chosen.

Death on a tree
burial
but listen
Recovery comes.

When Living
he ROSE!!!
That’s the way.
Death defeated!

This is how
a heel is bruised.
But
A head is crushed.

That head
Pride, selfish,
Green, Deception
Defeated by Life.

This life
One given sacrificially
the only way
To recovery.

A crushed head
leads to
close communion
recovered, with God.

Close Communion Recovered
Bread, Red Wine and book, top view, copy space.

Scripture Speaks

Genesis 3:1-5

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.

He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You[a] shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Psalm 2:7

7 I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
    today I have begotten you.

Mark 16:5-6

 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 

Soon and Very Soon

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Until today I did not know that Soon and Very Soon had actual verses to it!  How could I not have known that?   I suppose that like many, I simply have never sung them.   A call to action though… to see God’s action in our lives.  To realize that one day soon he will be returning to earth and all our sorrows will be finished with. 

soon and very soon

Lyrics to Soon and Very Soon

Soon and very soon we are going to see the king
Hallelujah, hallelujah, we’re going to see the king X3
 
No more crying there, we are going to see the king
Hallelujah, hallelujah, we’re going to see the king X3
 
Should there be any rivers we must cross
Should there be any mountains we must climb
God will supply all the strength that we need
Give us strength till we reach the other side.
 
We have come from every nation,
God has already signed our name.
Jesus took his blood and he washed my sins, he washed them all away.
Yet there are those of us who have laid down our lives
But we all shall meet again on the other side.
 
Back to the chorus
 
Should there be any rivers we must cross
Should there be any mountains we must climb
God will supply all the strength that we need
Give us strength till we reach the other side.
 
Back to the chorus

Author and History

Andraé Crouch is sometimes referred to as the “Father of modern gospel music”.  He recently passed away in 2015.  This American gospel writer was born in California and wrote his first piece of gospel music at age 14.   He helped to bring the gap between black and white music, bringing contemporary music into the church at large. 

He played with various bands throughout his life as well as having a solo career.  Friends with Michael Jackson he and his singers played a role in some of Mr. Jackson’s albums and performances. 

Complications from diabetes and cancer took his life. 

Pondering the Words

Having done Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending, I suppose this fits nicely into the order the hymnal (affiliate link) I am using doesn’t it?   Another glimpse of glory we see in this song by Andraé Crouch.

God will bring us through to glory is written throughout this song don’t you find?   

I found it interesting how many versions of Soon and Very Soon on youtube only featured the chorus being sung multiple times.  And I have to admit, the chorus is lively and compelling. I think the verses add to the overall song though, don’t you? 

I’m Sorry

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So dear Miss Kate has given the Five Minute Friday community our word prompt of the week.  Excuse.   So I have to wonder if it’s the excuse me from class definition, or the excuse me, I made a goof definition.   Being as I’m Canadian…. I’m going to look at from the “I’m sorry” perspective.

I'm sorry, girl with canada flag face mask
Happy woman in face mask holding thumb up with national flag Canada background. Flu epidemic and virus protection concept

I’m Sorry

It slips out
No thought needed
I’m sorry.

The plant honestly
Doesn’t mind that
I bumped into it.

The bunny
Doesn’t care that
I’m a tad bit late.

(Well okay…
Some bunnies would mind,
I’m sorry).

It makes us
Laugh at times
When two apologizers meet.

Two people bumping
Bums, an aisle
Narrow meet.

I’m sorry
Mr. Tree that
I hit you hard.

Oh Dear I should
have seen that
the bird windshield hit.

I’m sorry I forgot
the thing I was
to do.

That accident
I’m sorry
Slipping unintended.

The Canadian Law
Has an apology
Exemption.

Because it just
Slips out because
We’re so polite.

Humble and forgiving
and quick to
offer pardon.

It’s the Canadian thing.

I'm sorry, canada flag on pavement

Additional Thoughts

My son apologizes as quick as breathing, my hubby says he gets it from me.  I find myself apologizing for things it seems all the time.  But you know what?   Most people I’m surrounded by, do the same thing.  We say I’m sorry for bumping into plants, aisle ends, each other, carts, cutting folks off, and more.  So, in a way, learning to speak “Canadian” is an important life skill!   🙂 The “I’m sorry” slips out even when no harm was intended, even when no harm happened.  I’ve actually needed to encourage my son to realize that I’m sorry is not the end of his commitment, he needs to follow through with change, not just use words. 

Whenever we travel stateside, hubby reminds me… Don’t say I’m sorry, not everyone is Canadian!  🙂  It’s so hard to remember!  I’m glad that thus far, I haven’t been required to move to a place where I’m sorry is an automatic admission of guilt.  Cause I’d be considered guilty of SO MANY THINGS! 

I am glad that God sees my sorry’s, that he knows when they are automatic statements, and he knows when they are true from the heart.  I’m glad that I don’t have to fret about a negative reception from him, because I already know, I’m guilty on all accounts. BUT this… Jesus, Jesus came, he lived, and taught, and died, and saved and COVERED all my “I’m sorry’s”.  Isn’t that the most fantastic thing? 

Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending

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It has been a long time since I have sung this song.  Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending.  I didn’t recognize the tune in the hymnal I am using, but I immediately started singing the song.  I could not find the tune I was used to, and once I heard the tune on Youtube I completely lost the tune in my head.  So well you know… enjoy?  🙂 

lo he comes with clouds descending
Dramatic god lights passing through clouds and shining on shining on sky.

Lyrics to Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending

Lo! He comes with clouds descending,
Once for favored sinners slain;
Thousand, thousand saints attending,
Swell the triumph of His train:
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
God appears on earth to reign.

Every eye shall now behold Him
Robed in dreadful majesty;
Those who set at naught and sold Him,
Pierced and nailed Him to the tree,
Deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing,
Shall the true Messiah see.

Every island, sea, and mountain,
Heav’n and earth, shall flee away;
All who hate Him must, confounded,
Hear the trump proclaim the day:
Come to judgment! Come to judgment!
Come to judgment! Come to judgment!
Come away!

Now redemption, long expected,
See in solemn pomp appear;
All His saints, by man rejected,
Now shall meet Him in the air:
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
See the day of God appear!

Answer Thine own bride and Spirit,
Hasten, Lord, the general doom!
The new Heav’n and earth t’inherit,
Take Thy pining exiles home:
All creation, all creation, all creation,
Travails! groans! and bids Thee come!

The dear tokens of His passion
Still His dazzling body bears;
Cause of endless exultation
To His ransomed worshippers;
With what rapture, with what rapture,
With what rapture
Gaze we on those glorious scars!

Yea, Amen! let all adore Thee,
High on Thine eternal throne;
Savior, take the power and glory,
Claim the kingdom for Thine own;
O come quickly! O come quickly!
O come quickly!
Everlasting God, come down!

Author and History

This song has a bit of a convoluted history.  Originally written by John Cennnick in 1752, it was later altered by Charles Wesley in 1758, and Martin Madan in 1760.   It makes me curious about what changes they might have made.  So I found an original version on the Cyber Hymnal.  It’s quite different!

Born into the Quaker tradition, John Cennick joined the Methodist movement with the Wesley’s and Whitefield.  When they parted ways, Cennick followed Whitefield and later joined the Moravians.   He became a pastor in the Moravian church.  A successful hymn writer he published two hymnals.   He left a number of hymns unpublished at the time of his death which his Son-in-law saw published. 

So I’m pretty sure that the pastors of the church I was part of growing up changed the tune of this song to a more familiar one. Why?  I don’t know this tune, though when I saw the words I started singing the hymn.   Go figure eh? 

Pondering The Words

Do you know this song?  As you sing it do you ponder Christ’s Return? How do it make you feel?

I read these words and all I see is the joy they hymnist has at Christ’s eventual return.  How he will take this kingdom for his very own, and his reign is one to celebrate. 

And so I’m convicted.  I am… I so rarely think of Christ’s return and think of it so joyfully.  Do I long for Christ to return?  Yes.  I see it as an ending to the suffering in the world and things being made right…but I often don’t go beyond that to the total joy of Christ being able to reign supreme. No longer will I have to look through a glass dimly.  I’ll be able to see him face to face in a world again made right.  This is something to celebrate don’t you think?

Caught in the Middle

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Okay, so this was actually kind of fun to do, and rolled right off my fingers.  Caught in the middle plays off the word prompt from Miss Kate.  One often hears talk about how birth order affects the way children grow up, and that you can tell where in the pack a person is based on how they act.  So it was neat to look up “birth order” websites and see what they have to say and if any of it was applicable to my life.  🙂  

caught in the middle

Caught in the middle

Caught in the middle
that’s who I am
Fourth in the line
of six kids in all.

Caught in the middle
middle of three
Girls in row
the middle.. that’s me!

Learning early to
Mediate needs
of older against
Younger.

Learning to be
easy-going
reduce the stress
on me!

Independence is
my middle name,
don’t tell me
what to do!

Figuring out
my own path,
it’s not for
you to do.

Middle children
learn and grow
and have things
just their own.

Don’t let your
past define you.
Leave yourself
room to grow!

caught in the middle

Scripture References

Remember this…your life is not defined by what order you were born in, in your family.  Your future might be influence by how you grew up, but it doesn’t have to define you.  See beyond the now. 

Psalm 139:13-16

13 For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.[a]
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.

Jeremiah 29:11

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.