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A Net in Time

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Bible

Review: NIV Reader’s Bible

December 14, 2017 By Annette1 2 Comments

The NIV Readers Bible is a really nice book.  Hardcover, well bound that comes in a protective sheath.

Do you know what a reader’s bible is?

No?

Well.. A reader’s bible is one that doesn’t break up the whole bible into chapters and verses.  You just open it and read it like any other book.  No headers to interrupt the flow, no verses to break up a sentence of thought.  Just straight-forward text to make just setting down and reading a pleasure.

Now this version puts reference notes at the top… so that let’s say you are reading along and go.. ooh.. interesting thought, let me grab my commentary and explore that a bit more.. you don’t end up having to find a bible with verses to track it down.  The quiet page header let’s you know where abouts you are in the book and you can just look up that thought catcher easily.

I love how this bible has the 10.5 point type font printed in a single column, reading just like a regular book.   The footnotes are included at the end of every book. The footnotes are broken down per chapter.   The lovely grey ribbon is excellent for holding your place.

This Bible was designed to provide a seamless reading experience.  This bible is so well made.  Cloth over book cover, easy reading font.  Cause you know how most bibles have this tiny font… this one doesn’t..  It feels good in the hand, not too heavy, kinda like a regular bible for weight, but nice a solid like a normal book.

As with any bible, there is a set of references in the back, helping you understand the historical measurements and other such things.

NIV Reader's Bible
Zondervan
Soft cover over board
Bible, 1984 pages, all ages
Reviewed for: BookLookBloggers.

Where can you find it?   Amazon Link.

 

Filed Under: Faith, Reviews Tagged With: Bible

A Letter to Titus

December 13, 2017 By Annette1 2 Comments

So.. I finished Romans yesterday which left me wondering…what book should I study next.  Hubby dear suggested 1 Corinthians and I thought oh.. maybe, but it didn’t sit well.  Started leafing through my on-line ESV bible and Titus felt like it leapt off the page so I said “okay, we’ll do Titus”. 🙂   Easy enough eh?

Titus 1:1-4 tells us these words: 

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began 3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;
4 To Titus, my true child in a common faith:
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Just like Romans, Titus was written by the Apostle Paul.   

Paul starts this letter being very clear about who he is and who he serves.

  • servant of God
  • Apostle of Jesus Christ

He then goes on to say just what that means.  for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began 3 and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior. He preaches to encourage faith in God’s chosen people…wanting them to know truth and through truth encourage their godliness.  Showing God’s truthful promise from long ago…eternal life.   God showed how this promise would be fulfilled (through his son Jesus Christ) at the proper time in history.    And so Paul preaches.  A command entrusted to him by God.   God says preach, so Paul does.

This letter is written to one man named Titus.   Paul calls him “my true child in a common faith“.  That statement makes me think of Titus as a power house of a believer… knowing God’s call on his life and following.  (because that’s how I think of Paul).   One often thinks like father like son eh?  🙂  So if Titus is like Paul’s child in the faith…. see where I’m going here? 🙂

Anyways, it will be interesting to read what Paul has to say to Titus eh?

Paul closes these first four verses with a greeting “Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.” Imagine if we greeted each other that way eh?   Or started off our letters to each other that way?   Isn’t it a great way to keep The Lord foremost?  Passing on God’s grace and peace to those we are in contact with?   

I have to admit…it would seem odd to me to do so…but I recall my brother writing us a letter once in the New Testament style and how it made us all in the family smile to get it.  Isn’t that smile worth it?  Worth it to help people see the Lord more clearly?

Photo by Ahmed Saffu on Unsplash

 

 

 

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Bible, Devotional, Titus

Think of the Weaker

November 20, 2017 By Annette1 4 Comments

Did you know that being sick sucks!   Means you get terribly behind on things… including things like doing devotions.  I’ve been starting to feel a bit away from the Lord and realized I really need to get back to spending time with the Lord.

So getting back to Romans, today it’s chapter 15:1-7.

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Oh… I read that first verse… it makes me so aware of my frailities.
We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 

Let me explain, this morning my son did something that was a bit less than kind, and since I’m not quite myself, I burst into tears and he apologized up the wazoo.  Appropriate to feel sorry for hurting someone, but he kept on apologizing.   This gave me the opportunity to help him understand the difference between guilt and forgiveness.  Forgiveness is immediate.  He was being thoughtless, apologized and was forgiven.  The guilt was a way for God to say “Hey, mind what you are doing lad, learn and let it go” and ALSO a way for Satan to get his hooks into him “You’re such a nasty thing, how dare you even breathe”.   

It gave us a change talk about how guilt is such an easy hook for Satan, causing us not to thank God (or the person forgiving us) for their forgiveness and then choosing to MOVE FORWARD in our relationship instead of lingering in the past. Guilt holds us in the past.

Anyways, So when I read those words it brought that whole conversation back to mind.  About the stuff in the physical helps us to see the spiritual more clearly.

And God helps us ALL THE TIME.  The weak vessels that we are.  
So our helping our fellows, the weaker ones among us, is just us showing God’s love and concern for us in a tangible  way.
 
 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
So Let us then do what verse two says… build each other up.   Not seeking after our own good, but for the good of the weak ones among us.  Building them up in their faith.

 I will continue this passage tomorrow!  🙂

This post may contain affiliate links – using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool – thank you!

©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Bible, Bible Study, Devotional, faith, Romans

Review: NIV Revolution Bible

October 31, 2017 By Annette1 2 Comments

The Revolution Bible is a bible geared toward young men, from teenagers on up.It’s actually a fairly neat bible with some interesting features.

It’s actually hard to know where to start with this review.  It has so many features and I can’t list them (lest the review get too long and wordy) so I’m pondering how to break it down for you.

 For instance, I love the introduction “We don’t call the Bible “God’s Word” for nothing.  The wisdom, instructions, and lessons in it come straight from the Almighty”.   Truth eh?

It’s presented in the New NIV translation, hard cover with a dustcover, with 50 match ups found throughout the bible, and interesting little cut outs, and all sorts of advice geared toward a teen guy, helping him to understand God’s word and delve into it deeper.

 What are the special features?

  • 12 full-colour pages with life-impacting ideas.
  • in-depth book introductions
  • Battlelines that answer tough questions.
  • “Be the Change” cutouts showcasing biblical truth
  • “God Calling” notes that focus on key verses
  • “Live the Revolution”, change your life, revolutionize your impact
  • “Matchups” that compare villains and heroes.
  • “Beliefs 101” that help shape personal worldview.

I have to admit, there are so many features to this Bible for Teen Guys that it’s easy to get distracted.  At the same time, I see the value in all these add-ons.  Regular language, challenging guys to take their faith seriously, to dig into God’s word and consider what it really means for their lives.

For instance this “live the revolution” thought.  “Do you ever feel as though there are “walls” between you and other people?   Some walls are built because of race or social standing.  Some are built because of differences in backgrounds and upbringing… No matter what kinds of walls you have….none of them can stand against Jesus’ power….. When you’re serious about following him, he will help you eliminate the barriers that separate you from others….”   Neat statement eh?  Good call to action in faith.

My Thoughts:
It’s a nice bible, the hardcover makes it a durable bible, and it looks nice to the eyes, the green/blue exterior is pleasing to the eye.   My son says “it’s a good blue”.  

I like the variety of helps contained within, though I wonder about the distraction level they also possess…some might be tempted to meditate upon the points made, rather than on the scripture itself.  Some of the revolution thoughts seemed to take a verse out of context, but overall I found them thought provoking and on point. I appreciated that all of the aids were scattered throughout the whole bible. 

At the close of the bible, you find a good subject index listing all the helps found within the bibles’ pages, as well as Beliefs 101, Christianity 101, and a Reading plan.

The Revolution Bible
Editors: Livingston Corp. and Christopher D. Hudson
Zondervan
Translation: NIVr
2017
Hardcover, Bible
Audience: Male, teen, young adult

Reviewed for: BookLookBloggers

Where can I find it?
Amazon.ca       Amazon.com

This post may contain affiliate links – using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool – thank you!

©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Bible, Book Review, Review

Have you discovered this?

October 20, 2017 By Annette1 8 Comments

Discover Defined
 – find (something or someone) unexpectedly or in the course of a search.
 – Divulge (as in a secret)

Proverbs 16:19-21

19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
    than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good,
    and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
 
21 The wise of heart is called discerning,
    and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

I read those words tonight and oh.. it was like sweet music to my ears.
Do you see it yourself?
Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good.
The word is good.

Oh that makes me want to ask you reader…have you discovered this? 
Have you learned this secret?
Has this truth be divulged to your heart?

When you go to the word of God, do you see it’s goodness?
Turn to it.
Learn it.
See this secret for the truth it holds.
The word of God is good. 

 
—– 

This is a five minute Friday post. the word prompt is brought to us by Miss Kate over at Five Minute Friday.  What is Five Minute Friday? 
Well it’s a party of a group of like minded folks who gather on Friday
to do a five minute free write around a singular word.  AND THEN (and
this is the most important part) we take the time to offer up
encouragement to each other on this writing journey.  It’s fun, though
it’s not always easy, but it is always good.   Come join us won’t you? 
You are always welcome.

—–

This post may contain affiliate links – using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool – thank you!

©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Bible, faith, Poem, Word Prompt

Review: Psalm Hymns: Books 1,2,3

August 31, 2017 By Annette1 4 Comments

Do you love to sing scripture?  Singing back to God the words he gave to his people?

L.L. Larkin has come up with a book to do just that and I really really like it.  It is called :  Psalm Hymns, Books 1, 2, & 3: Dramatic, Contemplative, Singable, Recitable Psalms!

No boring unsingable tunes.  But simple easily recognized tunes with the words of the Psalms.    

Let me tell you more. 

I actually received two versions of this book, which appear to be identical within.  The only different being the cover.   You’ll see the one cover here, and the other cover pictured below.

This book is FILLED with scripture written to the tune of familiar songs and hymns.


 Singing scripture to music is one of the best ways to learn scripture.  I remember when I was in bible college needing to memorize a great deal of scripture, I’d say them in my head until I got a tune going. That’s the premise behind this book.  Put scripture to music, particularly familiar music and watch people learn the word of God.

Easy enough eh?

This first book goes up to Psalm 89 and has us singing the Psalms to the tunes of Rock of Ages, Jesus Loves Me. Jesus keep me near the cross and At Calvary.

Various notes are found after some of the psalms.  Some speak to how other musicians used the psalm in music, others to the message found in the passage.

I have to admit, I had some mixed thoughts about these notes.  I loved knowing how other artists used that particular psalm, but wasn’t sure if it was really a part of a music book to also act a bit as a commentary.   Pros and cons right?  I liked what he had to say, but wondered if the book could be a bit shorter with less commentary.

 I found the words to the psalms followed the meaning of the Psalms quite nicely.  This book will be going into our “keep it” pile for use later on learning some Psalms.

IF you are music director in a church, or a sunday school leader or choir director you may find this book a boon to you as you strive to teach new music to your people.  Homeschool families with an emphasis on memorizing scripture may also find this book an aid in helping your students appreciate the beauty and teaching found within the Psalms.  Help them write God’s word upon their hearts!

Title: Psalm Hymns, Books 1, 2, & 3: Dramatic, Contemplative, Singable, Recitable Psalms!
Author: L.L. Larkins
Series: Psalm Hymns
Publisher: Capture Books
Pages: 290
Type: music, psalter

Reviewed for: BookCrash 

Where can I find it?
Amazon.ca: Psalm Hymns, books 1,2, 3
Amazon.com: Psalm Hymns, Books 1, 2, & 3: Dramatic, Contemplative, Singable, Recitable Psalms!

This post may contain affiliate links – using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool – thank you!

©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Filed Under: Faith, Uncategorized Tagged With: Bible, Book Review, Books for Adults, Books for Young Adults, history, Hymn, Music, Review

Completely Protected

August 23, 2017 By Annette1 4 Comments

Today we are looking at Romans 8:31-39.

Do you remember that future hope that we need to wait for patiently?  How God has foreknown us, called us, justified us and glorified us?

romans 8

 

So Paul has this question for us… What do you say to these things?

 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
 If God is for us (and he is otherwise why do all these things for us?)   So God, the greatest being in the universe, he is for us.   Therefore.. think about this for a moment or three… WHO possibly could be against us?   WHO?
 
  32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
God didn’t spare his own son, he willingly gave him up for all of us.  So do you not think that he will ever so graciously give us all things?   Don’t you think he would do that?

I read these words and I feel so humbled, so shamed by my lack in seeing God’s goodness to me.  So brought low by my questionings and my doubts and my fears.   God is ever so gracious… why can’t I see that more clearly all the time?

Check out these comparisons eh? 

33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 
34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 
35 Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or
distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
Do you see it?   Do you see how fully protected we are?  No charges can be brought against God’s own people.  God has us covered.  No one can condemn us.  Christ’s death has us covered.  Can we be separated from God?  NO!  Not hardship, no sadness, no persecution, no hunger, no nakedness, no danger and no warfare.. NOTHING can separate us from God.  We are his own.. always.

Ah.. this is comfort and a reality.  See this, hear these words, know it to be so. We are so entwined with God that we are just so safe within his love and his graciousness toward us.
 

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor
height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Can you see how that makes us conquerors?  If we have nothing to fear.. no judges, rulers, condemnation, hunger, warfare, danger, sadness, persecution, hardship.. if we don’t need to fear any of that… then we are conquerors in whatever situation we find ourselves in.   Consider what that means.   We should then have boldness in proclaiming who the Lord God is to us eh?   To find the words and not worry on what people think of us.Just to say what the Lord is doing in our lives and how that matters to us.  Trying, just trying to give a glimpse of the hope we have within us.  Think on it.  (I know it’s making me think!)

Because we have to remember this stated promise that Paul gives us: 
  38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor
height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 
NOTHING!  Not one single thing can separate us from the love of God that is Christ Jesus our Lord.  NOT ONE SINGLE THING. Isn’t that just the single coolest thing you have read today?  Imagine how very safe that makes you.

So safe you probably can’t even put it into words if you are like me.  Just overwhelmed by the magnitude of God’s care and protection of me, his child.   Not even death can separate me.   I am his… tell me.. are you?  Don’t you want that extreme care and protection that will last forever?   Remember.. death can’t separate us from God.  It just can’t.  It doesn’t have the power to do so.   

If you want to know how you can have this eternal protection and care extended toward, drop me a line, I’d be happy to talk with you. 
 

What say you? 

To follow along with the rest of this devotional series in Romans Click Here.

This post may contain affiliate links – using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool – thank you!

©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Bible, Bible Study, Christian living, christianity, Devotional, faith, New Testament, Romans

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