A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Faith

Turn, a Poem of Change

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I saw the word turn come up at the Five Minute Friday page and immediately this song came to mind.

Shortly thereafter this song came to mind

It’s an interesting word isn’t it?  Turn… it’s full of hope and promise.  Something else is waiting, or a good thing is behind you, or waiting for you to discover it.   Ah yes… let us then turn, see what’s waiting won’t we?

Turn, a poem

Turn,

An act of changing direction.
A changing of one’s path.
When one’s perspective has been one way,
and then you see another vantage point
And everything changes.

Like when you have lived only for
yourself.
And then
God makes himself known to you.
and suddenly
You find yourself living for him.

When you have lived as a fisherman
a doctor
a tax collector
a zealot
a thief
a Pharisee
and then Jesus comes along.
Life changed dramatically.

See the Lord
See God clearly
And turn,
Turn and experience
a Whole New way to be.
A way that is BETTER.

Four Tenets to Live By

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Last week I finished reading “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World”, this week I was searching for a book to replace it and discovered that I’ve packed a good many of our books away. This left me wondering what I could do for a weekly book study when “A Mom Just like You” grabbed my attention.

This book is written by Vickie Farris who is a homeschooling momma of 10 children, she is a Christian believer active in her church and her hubby is Michael Farris who is chairman and counsel for HSLDA.  I thought this might be an interesting book.

Four Tenets to live by

In her first chapter she talked about the four tenets that are part of her life.

  1. Take God at his word.
  2. Remember the importance of motherhood and sowing godly seeds.
  3. Pray for your children.
  4. Put your relationship with God first.  

Don’t those sounds like excellent tenets to learn more about?   I hope that you’ll join in the journey.  🙂

 

This Joy of Mine is Complete

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Today’s Reading in on John 3:22-36, yesterday we saw God’s love shown.

22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).

25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

John 3:22-36 My Joy Complete

After Jesus spent time counselling Nicodemus and telling us that faith in him releases us from condemnation, Jesus and his people went into the Judean country.  When he was there he spend time with his disciples and baptized folks.  

John (since he wasn’t in prison yet) was also baptizing people, he did so at Aenon near Salim.  Why there?  There was lots of water, people were coming.  It worked.

I have to admit, I don’t quite understand if they were close to each other or not when doing the baptisms. All we are told is that both Jesus and John were baptizing and they must have been able to see each other.

We do know that a disagreement arose between John’s disciples and one of the Jews with them.  They had a discussion over purification and somehow Jesus was brought into the picture with all the people he was baptizing.  Don’t you just love John’s answer?

John told them that they have heard him say this before “I am not the Christ”.  They’ve heard him say that he was sent before Christ.  He is a friend of the bridegroom and happy for him.  And then this line “he must increase, but I must decrease.”   Isn’t that a great line?  A line that shows John’s heart.  And admittedly, a line that I would claim more often.  I do want people to see Christ more and me less…but sometimes I get in the way a bit you know?   But here I just see John backing off and basically saying “you go Jesus, You go”. Isn’t that just wonderful?

John continues on explaining better who Jesus is: Jesus comes from above and therefore is above everything.  He’s not one who just belongs to the earth.  Jesus comes from heaven. As such he is above all. 

And and this… Do you see that his joy is complete at Jesus becoming more?

He talked about how Jesus talks about all that he has seen and heard, but that so many don’t receive what he says.  Oh.. but those that do.. They are sealed to Christ.  They see that God is true.  They receive his Spirit without measure. For this truth is real… The Father (God) loves his Son.  God has given EVERYTHING into the hands of his Son.  So whoever believes in Jesus (the Son) will receive eternal life.   Those who don’t, who just can’t see the truth of Christ, stay within God’s wrath… his condemnation.

Do you see how John is backing up the teaching the Jesus had just given? 

About God’s immense love.  His giving his Son. His Son being the one we need to have faith in to receive eternal life.  Do you see it?   I think it’s amazing. It’s not like Jesus and John secretly got together so that John could say this.  John knew this truth and so boldly told it to people.

Again, I feel a check in my spirit.  Do I boldly tell others what I know of Christ?   How can I develop that boldness?  How can I show people who Christ is?

 

God’s Love Shown

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Do you remember last time we listened in on a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus?  We follow up that conversation learning about God’s love in John 3:16-21.

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

John 3:16-21 God's Love

We left off the previous passage with Jesus asking this question “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”   Belief in Son of God = eternal life. 

Understand then who the Son of God is… He is the one that God gave up.  God gave him up for the world that he loved!  He did this so that THROUGH his Son, the world could be saved.  All that is required is belief in him.   Believe in Jesus, be released from condemnation.  Refuse to believe = condemnation.   Lack of belief means that the non-believer has already been condemned, nothing will release the non-believer from that. 

Jesus, God’s own son.  Died.  Because of God’s love for the world.  He is the conduit that releases us from condemnation. It is only belief in Christ that releases us.  NOTHING ELSE. 

If we don’t believe in him this is the judgement we face. A love of darkness, a staying in wickedness, a lack of trueness will pervade our beings. 

Because you see this “what is true comes to the light”.   In the light, things may be clearly seen, our works seen in the light, carried out in God. 

It comes down to faith doesn’t it?   Will I have faith in Jesus Christ or will I stay in the darkness?   Seek the light, or avoid the light. 

I’d rather seek the light you know?   Even though sometimes the darkness tugs at me… causing me to want to seek my own way, ultimately… I want the light. I want the Lord to see my actions and approve of them. I want condemnation to roll off my back like water does off a duck. I want a faith that is real and true and saving. Don’t you want the same thing?   To have a light that is a part of your being chasing the darkness away?

It’s a wonderful thing. 

Go My Children With My Blessing

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At the church we are currently attending we often sing this song at the close of the service.  The first time I heard it sung it caught my attention but I wasn’t sure what I thought of it, but I’ve grown to really like it.  It’s a good song to remind us of how God keeps us as his own. 

Go, my children, with my blessing, song, author and lyrics

Go My Children With My Blessing was written by  Jaroslav J. Vajda.  He was an American Pastor who gained prominence as a hymn writer.  He has written more than 200 hymns, he lived 1919-2008. His hymns and translations were biblically rooted and rich in imagery. His hymns can be found throughout the world. Vajda was named a Fellow of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada.

Lyrics

Go, my children, with my blessing, Never alone.
Waking, sleeping, I am with you; You are my own.
In my love’s baptismal river
I have made you mine forever.
Go, my children, with my blessing – You are my own.

Go, my children, sins forgiven, At peace and pure.
Here you learned how much I love you, What I can cure.
Here you heard my dear Son’s story;
Here you touched him, saw his glory.
Go, my children, sins forgiven, At peace and pure.

Go, my children, fed and nourished, Closer to me;
Grow in love and love by serving, Joyful and free.
Here my Spirit’s power filled you;
Here his tender comfort stilled you.
Go, my children, fed and nourished, Joyful and free.

I the Lord will bless and keep you And give you peace;
I the Lord will smile upon you And give you peace;
I the Lord will be your Father,
Savior, Comforter, and Brother.
Go, my children; I will keep you And give you peace.

The Other, a poem

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One of the things the Lord has been impressing upon this past year is to see the other.   To make a point of seeing a situation from another perspective.  It’s been interesting to say the least, I don’t always appreciate the Other you know?

The Other

It was sitting there waiting for me.
The other.
Giving another glimpse
Of a world I had yet to see.

Waiting to announce a pregnancy, hide it for a while.
Why wait? Such joy to be had.
But.. pregnancy is hard for me
What if I lose it?
What if the child is ill.
I need the time…
Oh…the other.

Do this thing, because I said so.
But the youngling questions
If I know why then I’ll want to
Listen all the more.
Does it hurt you to tell me why?
Oh…the other.

Find a job won’t you.
Hurry it up, what’s taking you so long.
But it’s hard you know
There’s THIS that I so long to do.
It’s hard, and it aches, and it so much a part of me.
Oh…the other.

My mom died years ago. My heart aches for her still.
Oh come on, get over it.. all mom’s die.
You grieve, you move on.
But you fail to see
She was my heart. We talked ALL THE TIME.
She knew me so well and would call even before I knew to call her.
Oh….the other.

The other it wants to fill my days
Reminding me to think some more
Showing me that,
that I am to am sometimes
The other.

Our christian faith, a process of becomingWon’t you join us in the Five Minute Friday Community?   Today we write on the word “other“.   Write for five minutes, Don’t double check your work.  Just write it and let it shine.  Then go link up, and encourage others who write as well.   🙂

Jesus and Nicodemus

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Last time we met we saw how Jesus knows us full well, today we get to listen in on a conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus. 

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3:1-15.

We have two players involved, Jesus…. Son of God and Nicodemus, Pharisee, ruler of the Jews.  The scene plays out at night. 

Nicodemus comes to Jesus with a statement.  You do signs, signs come from God, ergo you are a teacher from God. 

It seems to me an odd response by Jesus: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  Odd or not though, Nicodemus immediately responded to it by asking how a man can be born twice?   It’s not like he can crawl into his momma’s belly again.

Jesus then went on to make it clear that he is talking about spiritual birth, not physical.  “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. “

Do you see that Jesus doesn’t want Nicodemus to be fretting over what he doesn’t completely understand. He wants him to just understand that true faith is born of the Spirit not of blood line. 

Nicodemus doesn’t get it though.   “How can these things be?”

Jesus ends up challenging him (at least that’s how it read to me).   Nicodemus is a leader among the Jews.  Nicodemus is also a teacher.  As a teacher he doesn’t really understand this???

Jesus tells him that “we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen”.  But Nicodemus you do not receive our testimony.  If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?  No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

Do you see how Jesus points him to an act of faith from the Old Testament? This would be an event that as a teacher Nicodemus would know well.  It wasn’t the bronze snake that healed people…it was the looking to it (that act of faith) that healed them.  If Nicodemus doesn’t understand this, how will he understand heavenly matters?   How will he understand when the Son of Man is lifted up.  Those who believe will have eternal life. 

 I get much of this story   Nicodemus has questions, Jesus steers him to what is most important, Nicodemus doesn’t get it, Jesus challenges him to think beyond the physical, to see the spiritual.  We aren’t told here if he ever really gets it. I have to admit…  I am just not sure I totally get all the connections. 

I need to do what I told my lad today… I need to think about what I can take away from this passage, even if I don’t understand it all. We need to come to his word seeking for truth that we can take away and become more of the people he wants us to be.  How do I find Jesus in this passage?  What truth can I take away today?  

To enter the kingdom of God is an action of faith.  Faith is believing in what we can’t see.  So even if we don’t see something we know it to be true.  Like believing that the bronze serpent would bring healing by looking at it, we know it wasn’t the snake doing the healing… it was God doing the healing by their faith in his redeeming action.  Faith matters you know?   It matters to look beyond what makes sense physically. To look beyond it and see where God is in the picture.    I need to always look for where I can find God.