A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Faith

Broken within?

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There are time that I wish I could simply plan out what I say on these five minute Friday posts.  I wish sometimes that words wouldn’t pour out of me at the simple seeing of a word.  Why should a single word cause and outpouring?   I don’t quite understand it.  But this poem, Broken within? is the result of one such prompt provided by our Dear Miss Kate.   

If you don’t know the rules, let me take the time to refresh your memory.  Take the word prompt… this week it’s the word Broken.  Let the word resonate within.  Set your timer (be a purist or not, your decision) and write for five minutes.  Don’t worry on making it perfect, just write.  That’s the point.  The point is simply to write for five minutes without causing yourself undue stress.  You might want to take a bit of extra time to pretti up and make an image to go with it.  You also might be a person who says “Miss Kate made a good one, I’ll use that.”.  Then you link up your post.   Take a bit time, be a point of encouragement to others who also take those five minutes.  Be honest, be kind, and be encouraging.  It’s good practice you know!  🙂 

Broken Within

Broken Within?

Sometimes I wonder
As I sit back and think
If something is broken
In the way that I think.

Why is it so easy
To turn as I may,
to contemplate evil
And want my own way?

What drives such thoughts
this willingness to consider
The darker thoughts of others
Instead of grace overridden?

Is there something
broken within
A deep crevasse inside?
Hatred and Longing
I’ve no place to reside.

To continually bear
this anger and hurt
This longing with
that continually subverts?

Is there no answer?
Can be there be a way out
The need grows within
until I just want to shout!

Perhaps it explains
the state of the world.
So many emotions
that constantly swirl.

So I shout and plead
until the truth comes to me.
Don’t you remember
that I died for thee?

Don’t you remember
that for you I did come
Think back and see it
No need to be glum.

Yes there is
a crevassee inside
But within no longer
do you have to hide.

I’ve covered and filled it
now just let it be
Don’t work it and fuss it
Just LEAVE IT TO ME.

And thus overtime
my trust seems to grow
Working out my salvation
means leave it, let go.

Broken Within

Scriptural Insight

Honestly, as I wrote Broken Within?, I didn’t have scripture in mind.  So the question is… are my words biblically-based from the outpouring in my spirit?   Let’s think. 

1 Corinthians 6:9-11  ESV

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Matthew 27:45-46

45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

Day by Day

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When I wanted to write this post, I couldn’t find my hymnal!   I looked and looked and looked for it, but it wasn’t anywhere that I remembered.  So I went to look for a different hymnal where I found this song Day by Day.   By the time I sat down again, my lovely hubby

Day by Day

Lyrics to Day by Day

Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then, in every tribulation,
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation,
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till with Christ the Lord I stand.

Author and History

Okay, it’s a bit odd.  The hymnals that I looked through had the same translator for Day By Day as Andrew L Skoog.  BUT one listed the original author as Caroline Sandell Berg and another listed Lina Sandell as the author.  The names were quite similar so I wondered if they were indeed the same person.   Turns out that Lina is the nickname of this prolific Swedish hymn writer. 

The story of Lina Sandell is rather remarkable.  She was a frail youngster and spent most of her time sitting in her beloved father’s den as he worked.  Her dad was a Lutheran pastor.  As a young child, she suffered partial paralysis and the doctors did not believe she would ever recover.  Her parents, the devout believers that they were, believed that one day God would heal her.  One Sunday, as a 12-year-old, she was at home while her parents went to church.  While they were away she prayed earnestly and kept reading the bible.  When her parents returned from church, they found her walking around.  They were quite amazed.  Lina devoted her life to writing verses expressing her love for God and gratitude to him.   

Lina released her first book of spiritual poetry when she was just 16 years old.   10 years later she accompanied her father on a boat trip where he fell overboard and drowned.  She dearly loved her father and her grief inspired her to write even more verses and songs. She wrote more than 600 hymns over the course of her life with Oscar Ahnfelt writing the tunes for most of them.   Married to Oscar Berg their only child died at birth. 

Pondering Further

In Swedish the name of this song is “Blott en Dag”.   In English this mean Just Another Day.   That has a different connotation than Day By Day does so I wonder how close the translation is to the original words.  But I need to trust the translator I guess!  🙂 

Don’t you find comfort in these words? 

Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

God’s care and concern for us. His kindness for us.  Sometimes we forget that we have permission to run to God through all of life’s joys and trials.   This song so much speaks to how God governs us with so much care and concern. 

How does he show you care and comfort?   Can you see him in action in your life?  It’s a relief to me to know that I can trust God to act and care for me.  A true comfort knowing that day by Day God watches over me with a tender care that I don’t even always understand. 

 

We Have Permission

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Miss Kate has offered up this weeks word prompt.  Permission.   As soon as I saw the word the statement “we have permission” popped into my brain.   Following this pop didn’t come as easily as I thought though, probably cause I’m really tired as I write this.  So … not my finest work in the five minutes alloted, but the sentiment carries through I think? But that’s for you to tell me!   🙂 

we have permission

We Have Permission

We have permission
And sometimes we forget.
For it is easily missed.

We have the authorization
To lean upon the Lord,
You’ll find it written in his word.

Approval is not needed
We don’t have to ask
Just get up and act.

The avoidance of sin.
Assistance freely given
But will you accept?

What so freely is given
Grace upon grace
Forgiveness is in place.

So often we think
To make up for wrongs
When “I’m sorry” is what’s needed.

Turning our path
From evil to light.
Is not done under our own might.

Don’t take advantage,
As we need to work it out
Our faith before the Lord.

He gives us encouragement
Declaring what we are
Be Holy as I am holy.

We have permission
To be set apart
for we follow, after God’s own heart.

we have permission
Human resource, Talent management, Recruitment employee, Successful business team leader concept

Scriptural Insight

1 Peter 1:13-15
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 
 
Proverbs 3:5-8
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh
    and refreshment[c] to your bones.
 
Acts 17:29-31
29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
 
 

after the week I’ve had… pressure suits

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It is time for my almost favourite time of the week.  It’s five minute Friday time (and yes, I am writing this on Thursday evening … late).   This week the word is pressure… and after the week I’ve had… pressure suits….  LOL.   Let’s hop to it shall we? 

after the week I've had... pressure suits

after the week I’ve had… pressure suits

after the week I’ve had… pressure suits
let me go on to explain.

Sunday was such
a sad disappointment
we’d planned to go to church,
but with the Ontario ministry shut down…
we were shut out.

monday was full
with laundry and taxes
should have been more
but sore throat so detracting.

day felt such a waste.
so much to do but
energy evaporates
stuff happened it known
but…what? it’s a blur

and tuesday
oh…a skunk… yes a skunk
it happ’d you see
a small little skunk
in a trap just set off.

the lad rode shotgun as
smelly kitty rehomed,
gasping and choking
displeasure sure smelt.

wednesday i dragged
my tail twixt my legs
my hubby insisted…
sleep on my sweet maid.

by thursday the pressure
it mounted full well
two blog posts due
a scarce new what to do!

a doctor’s appointment
in London took time
shopping in a city
hard put in lockdown.

somehow squeezed time
bunny pictures, laundry too,
but i’m certain some pants
will never recover as
skunky smell does linger….

meals made, groceries bought,
taxes still to be done,
friday awaits, perhaps
my work will get done?

tonight tension felt
as the pressure amounts,
what ifs press my mind
after the week I’ve had…
i think… pressure suits??

after the week I've had... pressure suits
Close up, Pink flower growing on crack street sunset background

Continued Thoughts

after the week I’ve had… pressure suits….

This poem combines, and I hope you can see, how frustrating a week it has been.  I hate when I have weeks where exhaustion seems to rule even though I think I’m getting a good amount of sleep. 

BUT I am reminded that…. every day is like a small season right?  One needs to accept what was is given and push to do what one must and let go of what you cannot.   And Ecclesiastes reminds me of this.   Eccl: 3.9 tells us For everything there is a season, A time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die.

Have I died this week?  No.  I have been fed up with exhaustion and pain and lack of accomplishment. 

But on a positive note:

I’m further ahead on the taxes.  I have rehomed two skunks (and was reminded by one WHY covering a skunk in a live trap is vitally important).   Another wild rat was captured.  I did have a nice chat with a struggling neighbour.  A friend donated some meat for the cats.  A buyer for excess rabbits was found. Laundry was done (though I’m positive though pants will be tossed).  Meals were made that the fellows LIKED. Friends were emailed. The pantry was restocked.

On the Flip Side:

But I’m behind on my blog, I’m behind on updating my rabbit business, I’m behind on two books that needed reading.  I still need to chat with my lad about where he is in his schooling.  Taxes MUST be done! I still need to touch base with two friends struggling with family issues. AND I haven’t spent good time in God’s word this week so … all that makes it feel like a rather sucky week.   

Hope Beckons even after the week I’ve had… pressure suits

But you know what….. we just had Easter… and Easter is all about the hope we have in the future… and FRIDAY (maybe Saturday by the time you all read this) awaits! 

Traditional Easter Hymns

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Easter is just around the corner as I write this post, but really, today, I think today is Easter.   We’ve just had Good Friday where we remember the pain of the cross.   But on Easter we remember the joy of an empty tomb.   Isn’t it an amazing thing to consider that empty tomb and what that means?  Oh glory be!!!!  For me, part of that remembering comes out in the songs we sing on Easter Sunday.  And those traditional Easter Hymns, that I have sung since birth come to mind. 

I thought today I would do something different.  I would share a number of those traditional hymns with you. 

Traditional Easter Hymns

Up from The Grave He Arose!

Up from the grave he arose!   I last shared this hymn with you back in 2016 on my old blog.  Low in the grave he lay.

Luke 24:6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’

Because He Lives

Because he Lives.  I shared this hymn with you this past January. 

Ephesians 1:18-23   I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Christ the Lord is Risen today, is such a lively upbeat tune isn’t it?  🙂 

I Corinthians 15:3-9  3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Jesus Paid it All

Jesus Paid it all, this such a lovely hymn eh? 

Philippians 2:1-11  So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What Are Your Favourite Traditional Easter Hymns?

What hymns do you think I should have focused on for this Easter?  There are so many others out there aren’t they? Songs of praise the speak to the wonder of God sending his son, of that bridge created between us and God. Songs that speak to our sins being covered, that forgiveness we live under.  It’s so amazing what God has done.   What songs do you sing that speak to this? 

As Gentle As a Purr

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Hmm…. what can I do with a five minute Friday word prompt that I didn’t expect?   The word this week is Gentle. Miss Kate just put up her post.   To be gentle is to either be moderate in action, effect, or degree; not harsh or severe  OR to be having or showing a mild, kind, or tender temperament or character.  If you were to use it as a verb you say that one would make or become gentle; calm or pacify.    You’ll find in today’s poem, that thinking on the word gentle led down a path unexpected with As Gentle As a Purr.

As Gentle As a Purr

As Gentle As a Purr

Ruminating I sat
Staring blindly at the screen
CSI playing
A murder is the scene.

Gentle is the prompt
I think this word
So hard
Haltingly I wonder…
as gentle as a purr?

You see, we have
this crazy cat.
She’s smart as a whip
busy and demanding
Her hiss is quite the hit!

Causing quick reaction
As backwards fast we move
A hiss always predicates
Fast moving paws.

When first she came
Thought we back must go
But then a bath surprised
She gave in, I knew ’twas a go.

Two years hence it’s been
And now in morning a purr
Gentle waking call
“human, get up, hungry is”

It causes me to consider
Christ action in my life
Could he be gentling me
Much like I gentled a cat?

Cutting back my hissing
and quick flying claws
Softening my words
And helping wisdom flood my words?

Reading words of wisdom
The Proverbs steep my bones
Reminding me to think,
To consider softly now my words.

Slowly and securely
Replacing the older me
Before I even notice
We have a wiser me!

Living out the call
Determined for my life
Be holy as I’m holy.
For my child oh thou art!

Scriptural Insight

Repeatedly stated in scripture, but specifically taken from Leviticus 20:26 

Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.

Proverbs 20:5 The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water,
    but a man of understanding will draw it out.

Proverbs 17:27  Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,
    and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

Matthew 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your soul.

Isaiah 40:11  He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young

 

My Faith Looks Up To Thee

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You know what?  I’m actually REALLY surprised that I haven’t done My Faith Looks Up To Thee.  When I saw it in the Lift Up Your hearts hymnal (affiliate link) I almost passed it by.  A nudging had me searching to see if I’ve done it before I have not!   Let’s learn more today shall we? 

My Faith Looks Up to Thee

Lyrics to My Faith Looks Up to Thee

My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away,
O let me from this day be wholly Thine!

May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me, O may my love to Thee,
Pure warm, and changeless be, a living fire!

While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread, be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray from Thee aside.

When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold sullen stream shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love, fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above, a ransomed soul!

Author and History

Okay, so Ray Palmer palmed the words to My Faith Looks Up To Thee.  He wrote them the day after he saw a vision of Christ.  He had just graduated from Yale.  Mr. Palmer chose not to share this hymn with anyone for two years.  When asked to pen a hymn for a new hymnal, he pulled this one out.  Lowell Mason put his words to a tune, and later told Palmer, he’d probably be long remembered for this hymn. 

Ray Palmer wasn’t just a hymnist though, he was also a pastor within the Congregational church. He not only pastored, but later served as secretary to a large group of Congregationalist churches. Since the pay to be secretary wasn’t good he lent a hand to creating literary works. He wrote 3-4 hymn/poetry books, wrote for quarterly magazines, and as wrote books and discourses.   A father of 10 children, one son and two daughters survived his death (a series of strokes) at age 78. 

Steve Green is one of my favourite Christian singers to listen to.  He shows his faith well in how he sings praise to God. So of course I had to pick a youtube video showcasing his talent.  🙂 

Thinking Deeper

Don’t you just love the call to continue to trust in Jesus?  When we are doubtful or sad, or facing a struggle.  Even when life has run it’s course, the call is to continue to trust in Jesus. 

I don’t know you, but there are times when I question my commitment to the Lord.  I have learned in those times to do as as hymnist does… call about the Lord to booster my faith. It’s only by God’s grace that I have faith in him anyways, so it’s a natural thing, don’t you think, to ask him to give strength to our hearts?