A Net in Time

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faith

Faith Like the Young

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As I pondered the word young (the FMF word prompt) this verse popped into my head.  “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”  Matthew 18:3   I’ve been pondering it all day wondering how I can make it work with this word… and finally hit upon Faith like the young.  We need to have this kind of faith!

faith like the young

Faith Like the Young

Faith like the young
the verse runs true.
Faith like a child
will see you through.

So often we say,
to childhood I will go
Thinking of the freedom
Avoid adulthood go.

But we often fail to see
the faith that children have
An important part of childhood
To their heart a salve.

But remember now these words
That Jesus said,
Hinder not the children
Let them come to me instead.

The faith of a child
so trusting and so deep
Is the faith that we must have
If to heaven we will leap.

Consider yet the wisdom
of the youth within our midst
Can still the foe and avenger
Cause them to desist.

The simple wisdom of a child
Simple faith they hold dear
Simple words of clarity
A faith that’s not so meer.

Remember when you seek
like a child so to be
It’s the faith of a child
that opes heaven up to thee.

faith like the young

Scripture Referenced

As I sought out the words to round out my poem Faith like the Young, I referenced these bible verses.   

But Jesus said “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them,
for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 19:4

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”  Matthew 18:3

Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. Psalm 8:2

Building this type of faith means spending time in good devotionals.   I found these affiliate links to items we have actually used that might might find helpful as well. 

SchoolhouseTeachers.com also has some excellent devotionals and bible studies for all ages.  Well worth looking into. 

TOS bogo july

A Smile Makes it Better

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Tired and sleepy-eyed on a hot Friday afternoon I fear I didn’t do justice to my thoughts, but perhaps I did.  I was thinking about the word smile and thought about how often a smile makes it better.  Wanted to encourage others in this Five Minute Friday word prompt post to remember the power of a smile. 

A smiles makes it better

A Smile Makes it Better

Have you ever noticed how
a smile makes it better?
Creates a bit of joy,
and welcome.

A smile is simply a frown
Turned upside.
A change in perspective
Needed to change the course of a day.

10-12 muscles to smile
6-11 muscles to frown
So consider that upturned lips
is a small weight loss tool! 🙂

Unfortunately at times
a smile is a falsity shown
hiding truth, yet
Perhaps believed?

But at times forcing a smile
Causes a change in behaviour,
Encouraging a postive outlook.
Where before bleakness lived.

Take a moment and try it
when feeling sad and alone
Smile at the person walking
down the side of the road.

See what a smile can bring
in the heart of a little child
or a granny sitting on her porch
a smile matters.

A smile brings cheer and
The cheerful of heart
has a continual feast
a feast of joy sown.

Have you noticed a grin brings
A light to the eyes
Which in turn rejoices the heart
of all who see it.

Show the cheer that you have within
Bring light to those around
It’s a grace we can offer
To a hurting world.

For a smile
Makes it better
Let it start from
the decisions you make.

Beam at those around
offer a moment of cheer.
Let the grace of God within
A beacon in the night.

Scriptures Referenced

 A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.  Proverbs 15:13 

 All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.  Proverbs 15:15 

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.  Proverbs 12:25  

The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.  Proverbs 15:30 

O For a Closer Walk with God

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I had forgotten about this song, I’ve sung O for a Closer Walk with God just enough to be familiar with the tune. Lift up your Hearts hymnal brought it back to my attention. 

O For a Closer Walk with God

O For a Closer Walk with God, Lyrics

O for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heavenly frame,
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!

Where is the blessedness I knew,
When first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul refreshing view
Of Jesus, and His Word?

What peaceful hours I once enjoyed!
How sweet their memory still!
But they have left an aching void
The world can never fill.

Return, O holy Dove, return,
Sweet messenger of rest;
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn
And drove Thee from my breast.

The dearest idol I have known,
Whate’er that idol be
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.

So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame;
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.

Author and History

William Cowper, an English poet, is the author of this hymn.    I found this quote on the Cyber hymnal “I be­gan to com­pose them yes­ter­day morn­ing be­fore day­break, but I fell asleep at the end of the first two lines. When I awaked again, the third and fourth verses were whis­pered to my heart in a way I have oft­en ex­per­i­enced.”  He wrote those words to his aunt. 

After being institutionalized for insanity, he found peace in evangelical Christianity.  He wrote many of the Olney Hymns and was friends with John Newton.  Becoming involved with the anti-slavery movement he wrote The Negro’s Complaint. 

Born in England, his mother died in his early childhood while birthing his brother John.  His father was a rector. Depression followed William Cowper throughout his life. HymnTime has a list of the hymns he wrote. 

He also helped with Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken and There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy. 

Thinking Deeper

Turning to fervent evangelical Christianity was pivotal in the life of William Cowper.  Due to his depression, faith became important, as a result we have hymns with which to praise God.  I look at that and I’m happy about that.  Happy that God took a life that was miserable and turned it into a blessing for others.   I’m not happy that Cowper struggled, but I’m happy that God was able to use him well and provide him with a measure of peace.   It’s a good thing don’t you think?

O Master Let Me Walk With Thee

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O for a closer walk with God reminded me of O Master Let me Walk with thee.  With a different author and theme, this song calls for us to remember that God helps us be faithful in our walk with him. 

O Master Let Me Walk with Thee

O Master Let Me Walk with Thee, Lyrics

O Master, let me walk with Thee,
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret; help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care.

Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the homeward way.

O Master, let me walk with Thee,
Before the taunting Pharisee;
Help me to bear the sting of spite,
The hate of men who hide Thy light.

The sore distrust of souls sincere
Who cannot read Thy judgments clear,
The dullness of the multitude,
Who dimly guess that Thou art good.

Teach me Thy patience; still with Thee
In closer, dearer, company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong.

In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future’s broadening way,
In peace that only Thou canst give,
With Thee, O Master, let me live.

Author and History

The Still Hour was a section of the Sunday Afternoon paper.  Washington Gladden wrote this song for that section in 1879. It was written as a three-stanza poem with 8 lines each.  Later it was adapted to music with the unsuitable lines being dropped.  The original purpose was to be a poem not as a hymn, it took his friend Rev. C. H. Ri­chards to see the potential. 

Born in Pennsylvania, Gladden started his working life as a newspaper reporter.  Eventually, he received his pastoral credentials and started pastoring in Congregationalist churches throughout the United States.   He was not a prolific hymnist with only 7 known hymns, he also wrote papers and books. 

Thinking Deeper

I can hear the cry of the believing heart in this hymn, can’t you?

The plea of the believer to God, for his help, in maintaining a faithful walk with him.  The plea for faithfulness and steadfastness.  Don’t we all need that?

I know that through this Covid crisis that I am needing God’s help through it. The worry and concern I feel for those losing their businesses, for people struggling to find balance, weighs on me.  It’s not an easy thing to be denied our freedoms.  When I combine the two, it’s only through God that I’m doing okay.  🙂 

How about you?   Does this song strike a chord, reminding you that we have a God with whom we can plea for help?

Move Forward?

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It’s five-minute-Friday and again Miss Kate has given us a word prompt.  Today has been a good, but very busy day and I find myself sitting here feeling very tired. I think about how people are wanting to look forward, to when Covid-19 restrictions lift. I listen as I hear of suicides, see depression in action, and tempers flare, and I wonder… are we truly able to move forward?

feet walking, text move forward

The Story is Told

The story is told.
A baker, a musician and barber.
Losing their businesses as
The restraints of Covid-19 cause
Economic collapse and despair.

The Story is told
of a young man, 30 years old.
Visiting with tears, telling of
Desperate loneliness and wanting
It all to end.

The story is told
Day trips to parks are available.
But then next day we read
More tests, more positive results.
Caution and masks advised.

The story is told.
Death has occurred. A teen mourns a cousin
but no closure is given.
Friendships threatened
as Emotions erupt.

The story is told
Street Front businesses may open again.
One or two in a store at a time
Frowns and anger
Hurry yet wait.

The story is told
Wait
This story is not yet told
Or perhaps it has been.
Just not fulfilled.

The story is told
The day of the Lord is at hand.
Wrath can not be held back forever.
A time when God says “this is getting old”.
And acts.

The story is told.
Wrath is coming.
But in the midst of it all.
Grace is offered.
Return to me.

The story is told
over and over again.
Grace before wrath.
Do you see it?
Respond.

Move Forward

So how does it happen?  The way to move forward in the midst of all these stories?  Will this be time filled with regret be remembered or will we be in too much of a rush to move forward that the stories will be forgotten?  Time will tell as we move forward.

Precious Jewels

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Precious Jewels, also known as When He Cometh started running through my head this morning.  I was listening to a preacher talk about Jesus coming again some day (maybe tomorrow) and how he will gather up his precious Jewels.   I started humming this song to myself and figured it would be a good one to share with you this Sunday. 

Precious Jewels

Lyrics to Precious Jewels

When He cometh, when He cometh
To make up His jewels,
All His jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own.

Refrain

Like the stars of the morning,
His brightness adorning,
They shall shine in their beauty,
Bright gems for His crown.

He will gather, He will gather
The gems for His kingdom;
All the pure ones, all the bright ones,
His loved and His own.

Refrain

Little children, little children,
Who love their Redeemer,
Are the jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own.

Refrain

Author and History

William O Cushing wrote this song back in 1856 whilst travelling on a steamer.  He wanted to host a sing song and wanted to play something everyone might learn to know.  He chose an American tune called “His Jewels” written by George Root and by voyage end everyone had learned the Jewel Song.   At least that is one version of the origin.  The other is that he wrote it for the children in his Sunday School class.   Which is true?  I dunno.  Both are, from what I can tell, equally valid.  🙂 

William Orcutt Cushing was the son of an American Unitarian pastor, who when he grew married, also became a pastor. Over the course of his lifetime, he wrote more than 300 hymns such as Follow On.  He was only in ministry for 27 years due to a creeping paralysis that overtook him. 

Ponderings

Hymns are made so we can see God more clearly you know that?  They help us focus in on an aspect of God worthy of being praised. 

This song helps to see God’s love for us, and just how very precious we are to him. His very own children that he is gathering in. 

Kinda makes me think of Smaug, you know the dragon from Lord of the Rings, who gathers in all his wealth and how precious it was to him.  God’s love for us is pure and bright though, his love for us deep and unfathomable. Not a selfish, hoarding love, but a love of freedom and responsibility, and deep deep concern. 

Such a restful thought it is I find.  Knowing the depth of God’s love for me, and how he is gathering not only me but all his other loved ones in. 

Will your anchor hold

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Our tenant had this song up on her facebook page the other day, I was having a rather rough day and it lifted my spirits a bit.  I thought perhaps Will Your Anchor Hold might lift yours as well during this time of 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.

Will Your Anchor Hold

Lyrics to Will your anchor hold

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
when the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
will your anchor drift, or firm remain?

Refrain:
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love!

Will your anchor hold in the straits of fear,
when the breakers roar and the reef is near?
While the surges rage, and the wild winds blow,
shall the angry waves then your bark o’erflow?

Will your anchor hold in the floods of death,
when the waters cold chill your latest breath?
On the rising tide you can never fail,
while your anchor holds within the veil.

Will your eyes behold through the morning light
the city of gold and the harbour bright?
Will you anchor safe by the heavenly shore,
when life’s storms are past for evermore?

Author and History

Priscilla Owens of Baltimore, Maryland is the author of this song. Most of the 230 songs Ms. Owens wrote were for children and youth.  It makes sense since she not only taught as a schoolteacher, but also served as a Sunday School teacher.   Her church was the Union Square Methodist Episcopal Church.   There is a touching story about the effect of this song at Wordwise Hymns. 

Pondering Deeper

Did you know this song was based on Heb.6:19?  That verse reads “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain”.

I enjoyed listening to those little boys sing this song, when they finished I wondered if those boys knew well that anchor that we have.  Do they feel grounded and secure?

You know what an anchor does right?  It holds a boat securely.  You drop it down to the bottom of the water bed, and the boat stays right with the anchor.  The only time it doesn’t is when the anchor rope breaks. 

So Christ is that anchor.  He is the one the holds us securely.  But unlike the ships’ anchor, there is no rope or chain to break.  His hold on us is secure through and through.