A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Faith

The Servant Song

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As I was waiting for on-line church to start this morning I realized I had not posted my hymn of the day.  I started to browse through Lift up Your Hearts hymnal (aff. link) and discovered The Servant Song. 

I used to sing this song in church all time time.  It was so popular, but it’s rarely sung anymore.  It’s nice to go back in time a bit isn’t it?

The Servant Song

Lyrics to The Servant Song

Brother, let me be your servant.
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.
 
We are pilgrims on a journey.
We are brothers on the road.
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.
 
I will hold the Christ-light for you
In the night time of your fear.
I will hold my hand out to you;
Speak the peace you long to hear.
 
I will weep when you are weeping.
When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you.
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey through.
 
When we sing to God in heaven,
We shall find such harmony
Born of all we’ve known together
Of Christ’s love and agony.
 
Brother, let me be your servant.
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.
 
The Servant Song lyrics © Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publ.
original version

Author and History

Richard Gillard wrote The Servant Song in 1977.   Born in England he moved to New Zealand when he was three years old.   Although he showed early musical ability he received little formal training.  He learned to play the ukelele and other instruments to accompany his own singing.  A primary school teacher he attended an Anglican church. 

Based on Matt 20:26b-28  “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

If you would like to see a list of songs by Richard Gillard you can find 24 of them at Song Select.   Over the years this song has been modified to be politically correct. 

Modified version

Thinking Deeper

Sometimes I wonder how to be a servant to others. With my family it’s easy right?  I can tidy and clean up after them.  It’s even possible to encourage my son to be a servant by picking up after himself and helping others.  Finding ways to be helpful at home is easy, it’s not always so easy with those outside your home, at least for me I find.

I know that I like to be a behind the scenes person so serving as front-line staff at the Community Kitchen isn’t my thing, but I’ve learned I can help behind the scenes to tidy/organize the pantry.  Same with the Foodbank… to be the organizer, sorter of good works better for me than running around with the clients. 

Oft-times though it seems like I do too little and I just don’t know how to expand beyond that. I am reminded of how Christ became a servant and that he has a purpose in doing so.  How can I better be a servant?  Perhaps I have too many things keeping me busy?  I don’t know… but this song calls me to think more about how I can be a servant to others. 

Does it do the same with you?

Near to the Heart of God

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There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart to God.  This is such a sweet song of comfort reminding us what it means to be near God’s heart.   It has a sad, but good story behind it. 

Near to the heart of God

Lyrics

There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.

Refrain

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee
Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.

Refrain

There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.

Refrain

Author and History

Cleland B McAfee wrote this lovely hymn upon the death of his brothers two daughters. The girls died within 24 hours of each other from diptheria.  This double catastrophe broke McAfee’s heart. Part of his pain was that no one would be able to give his brother solace as the house was under quarantine.  He wrote his song to comfort him and the choir that sang it the first time went to his brother’s house and sang to him.  (source)

McAfee was a Presbyterian pastor, he served churches while being on the Faculty at Park College. As a graduate of Park College, this Missouri native also served as the choir director. 

Pondering Further

A place of quiet rest near to the heart of God.  Doesn’t that sound like a lovely place to be?  Seriously.

A place where we can let our troubles go and find joy and peace. 

This is what it means to be a believer.  To know that you always have a place of comfort. It’s knowing that God is always there. Giving us the safety, peace, and security that we need. 

It’s Just Another Day

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Promises made
When this is all over
A big party we will have!

Let’s celebrate life,
Even while we remember,
Those we have lost.

Covid has come.
Some losses we have.
People so important, gone.

But a hope is there too
One day this shall end.
Herd immunity achieved.

Losses will still happen
Because the virus will stay.
But no longer threat level.

So breathe it in
That hope.
The hope of another day.

Even if, right now.
all the days look the same
Sorrow feeling the air.

Just around the corner
Maybe a week, maybe a month.
Sheltering in place will end.

And then,
Come on out,
A big party is planned!

Celebrate life,
Share the victory.
We met our goal.

So too, with Easter just passed,
We know what it is to look on in hope.
For a better day is coming.

It’s just another day.

It's Just another day, text over daybreak

In case you missed it, it’s another day.  A Friday I look forward too, a chance to free write with a group of men and women, gathered around a singular word.  Miss Kate has posted it for us.  Come see won’t you?  And perhaps, you’ll be inspired to join us?  Come on, it’s fun! 🙂

Fight Your Fears

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FTC Nuts about Books

Fight your fears, that’s the time we are living in right now isn’t it?  Fears of Covid-19 threaten to overwhelm us.  I suppose that’s no different than other times in life though. We have some many fears in life.. fears of rejection, not being in control, being alone and so on.  Fight your fears by Kristen Wetherell is well-written to help the Christian believer combat fear.  I can’t wait to tell you all about my latest review.  

Review image for Fight Your Fears by Kristen Wetherell

What I am Reviewing

Fight your fears: Trusting God’s Character and Promises when you are Afraid is written by Kristen Wetherell.  A lovely hardcover book with 10 chapters over 182 pages. The art work is done in blue and purples on a white background.  Memory verse cards included at the close of the book.  Published by Bethany House, reviewed for Nuts about books.

The Details on Fight Your Fears

I was immediately impressed by the look of fight your fears.  The eye catching title with the blue/purple just made me curious about it.  I enjoyed how the whole book is laid out, from the boxed “time to think it through” secion, to how the chapter pages were just appealing. 

Each title always has a sub-title so you know what the target fear is. 

Three sections, ten chapters

  • The Problem of fear (two chapters)
  • God, Who is Worth to be Feared (two chapters)
  • God’s Precious and Very Great Promises (six chapters)
fight your fears

Each of the chapters closes with two things.  A page call learning to trust and a memory verse. The Learning to Trust page uses the same format, Ponder, Preserve, Prepare and Pray. 

fight your fears

The memory verse is always the one we are asked to Ponder.  For ease in memorization you will find all memory verses printed on perforated cards at the close of Fight your fears. Stick them in your wallet or pocket and carry them throughout the day.  Seal God’s word in your heart. 

fight your fears

Wetherell continually points her readers back to God, and back to God’s word.  She wants people to not live in fear and the biggest way of doing that is to see God more clearly.  See his supremacy and might, see his love and care, and to simply SEE God in action.  He’s not a sit on the sidelines God, he is active and present in our lives.  An active God helping us to Fight your fears.

fight your fears

Should you get it?

Sometimes a book surprises me.  I started reading “fight your fears” after I finished reading another faith-based book.  I felt a bit of alarm which I am fairly sure stemmed from my dissatisfaction with that previous. Hubby gave it a bit of a read and said: “Read it, a good book, nothing alarming”.  I gave it another go and I can tell you… Go read this book.  It is SO timely right now. 

Fight your fears by Kristen Wetherell is such an intriguing, useful book.  She builds a solid foundation for facing our fears with a firm belief in the Lord God. 

I love the use of scripture throughout, and having the memory cards to pull out at the end was helpful. It’s a pretty book which always helps right?  🙂  Nothing jumped out at me as being badly taken out of context.  Overall just a good book that reminded me of God’s faithfulness to his people. 

I am His and He is Mine

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When I first saw the title to “I am his and He is mine” I wondered if I really knew it.  Something seemed familiar so I played a tune and then these words came to mind 

Since I know, as now I know,
I am His, and He is mine.

SO YES!  I do know this song, not well enough to belt out all the words, but enough I could pick it up easily.   I hope you like it, I know I do.  🙂

I am his and he is mine

Lyrics

Loved with everlasting love,
Led by grace that love to know;
Gracious Spirit from above,
Thou hast taught me it is so!
O this full and perfect peace!
O this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease,
I am His, and He is mine.
In a love which cannot cease,
I am His, and He is mine.

Heav’n above is softer blue,
Earth around is sweeter green!
Something lives in every hue
Christless eyes have never seen;
Birds with gladder songs o’erflow,
Flowers with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know, as now I know,
I am His, and He is mine.
Since I know, as now I know,
I am His, and He is mine.

Things that once were wild alarms
Cannot now disturb my rest;
Closed in everlasting arms,
Pillowed on the loving breast.
O to lie forever here,
Doubt and care and self resign,
While He whispers in my ear,
I am His, and He is mine.
While He whispers in my ear,
I am His, and He is mine.

His forever, only His;
Who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss
Christ can fill the loving heart!
Heav’n and earth may fade and flee,
Firstborn light in gloom decline;
But while God and I shall be,
I am His, and He is mine.
But while God and I shall be,
I am His, and He is mine.

Author and History

This hymn comes out of the congregational denomination by pastor George Wade Robinson.   This song showcases his best poetry.  He was primarily a poet with some few of them being turned into hymns.  Mr. Robinson only lived for 39 years. 

Composer, James Mountain, put a tune to the words in order to add it to his hymnal Hymns of Con­se­cra­tion and Faith.

Looking Deeper

Don’t you just love that calm assurance offered here?   The knowledge of God’s care for us?  We are his!

His forever, only His;
Who the Lord and me shall part?

And nothing can stop that from being.  His presence, his whispers in our ear, and his steadfastness all reassure us of this truth.  Isn’t that just so very amazing and comforting?   How good is our God!  🙂

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