A Net in Time

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Christ will be my Hideaway

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We were listening to Grace Toronto Church this morning and one of the songs they did was Christ will be hideaway. 

I don’t know how old this song is so I’ll just link to the lyrics as I don’t want to violate copyright.  🙂 

Basically, I liked it and thought I’d share it with you.  🙂 

This lovely song is based on Psalm 91.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
    and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
    and see the recompense of the wicked.

Christ will be my hideaway

What do you think of Christ will be My Hideaway?   Are you, like the author, called to remember that our trust needs to be in the Lord?  Remembering that he is our safety in a time of storm or uncertainty? 

I love that, through Christ, I can claim victory even when things are looking tough. There’s always a brighter side you know? 

Close Communion Recovered

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It’s that day of the week again when Miss Kate gives us the word prompt of the week.  This week we are working with the word Recover.  Recover… to cover to have something placed over or around you, or to blanket an area (such as a ground cover).   To recover is to regain something, or to go back to normal, or even to retrieve a product for another use.  So knowing all this, what will I come up?  And so it mostly wrote itself.  Close Communion Recovered

Close Communion Recovered
Wooden blocks connected together on blue background. Teamwork, network and community concept.

Close Communion Recovered

A bridge broken
A deceiver came
and took a truth
and twisted it.

Just a bit
Just enough to sow
Doubt and confusion,
A turning to look at self.

A heart broke
Close communion lost
Yet still sought
And looking found.

Consequences spelled out
Pain and hardship
In working and childbirth
A head would be crushed.

Over the years
A great heart
Would continue to be
Broken but healing sought.

Always
Over and over again
Consequences laid out
End results promised.

Would people ever listen
Could a bridge to
Close communication
Again be built.

Then one day
A Son.
Born of a young girl
Who trusted God.

Out of a line
of people who
trusted God
Sought close communion.

This girl
and Her hubby
Learned to listen
To ponder God’s actions.

And so a boy
became a man
Growing in wisdom
Knowledge.

At age 12 he
astounded the teachers.
At age 30 he
frightened rulers.

He drew people in
Proclaiming
Son of man
Son of God

A bridge
close communion
with God
could be recovered.

Listen to him
Follow him
Chose the way
Of death.

Of death?
Really, was that the answer?
Death?
A Death chosen.

Death on a tree
burial
but listen
Recovery comes.

When Living
he ROSE!!!
That’s the way.
Death defeated!

This is how
a heel is bruised.
But
A head is crushed.

That head
Pride, selfish,
Green, Deception
Defeated by Life.

This life
One given sacrificially
the only way
To recovery.

A crushed head
leads to
close communion
recovered, with God.

Close Communion Recovered
Bread, Red Wine and book, top view, copy space.

Scripture Speaks

Genesis 3:1-5

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.

He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You[a] shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Psalm 2:7

7 I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
    today I have begotten you.

Mark 16:5-6

 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 

Soon and Very Soon

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Until today I did not know that Soon and Very Soon had actual verses to it!  How could I not have known that?   I suppose that like many, I simply have never sung them.   A call to action though… to see God’s action in our lives.  To realize that one day soon he will be returning to earth and all our sorrows will be finished with. 

soon and very soon

Lyrics to Soon and Very Soon

Soon and very soon we are going to see the king
Hallelujah, hallelujah, we’re going to see the king X3
 
No more crying there, we are going to see the king
Hallelujah, hallelujah, we’re going to see the king X3
 
Should there be any rivers we must cross
Should there be any mountains we must climb
God will supply all the strength that we need
Give us strength till we reach the other side.
 
We have come from every nation,
God has already signed our name.
Jesus took his blood and he washed my sins, he washed them all away.
Yet there are those of us who have laid down our lives
But we all shall meet again on the other side.
 
Back to the chorus
 
Should there be any rivers we must cross
Should there be any mountains we must climb
God will supply all the strength that we need
Give us strength till we reach the other side.
 
Back to the chorus

Author and History

Andraé Crouch is sometimes referred to as the “Father of modern gospel music”.  He recently passed away in 2015.  This American gospel writer was born in California and wrote his first piece of gospel music at age 14.   He helped to bring the gap between black and white music, bringing contemporary music into the church at large. 

He played with various bands throughout his life as well as having a solo career.  Friends with Michael Jackson he and his singers played a role in some of Mr. Jackson’s albums and performances. 

Complications from diabetes and cancer took his life. 

Pondering the Words

Having done Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending, I suppose this fits nicely into the order the hymnal (affiliate link) I am using doesn’t it?   Another glimpse of glory we see in this song by Andraé Crouch.

God will bring us through to glory is written throughout this song don’t you find?   

I found it interesting how many versions of Soon and Very Soon on youtube only featured the chorus being sung multiple times.  And I have to admit, the chorus is lively and compelling. I think the verses add to the overall song though, don’t you? 

Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending

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It has been a long time since I have sung this song.  Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending.  I didn’t recognize the tune in the hymnal I am using, but I immediately started singing the song.  I could not find the tune I was used to, and once I heard the tune on Youtube I completely lost the tune in my head.  So well you know… enjoy?  🙂 

lo he comes with clouds descending
Dramatic god lights passing through clouds and shining on shining on sky.

Lyrics to Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending

Lo! He comes with clouds descending,
Once for favored sinners slain;
Thousand, thousand saints attending,
Swell the triumph of His train:
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
God appears on earth to reign.

Every eye shall now behold Him
Robed in dreadful majesty;
Those who set at naught and sold Him,
Pierced and nailed Him to the tree,
Deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing,
Shall the true Messiah see.

Every island, sea, and mountain,
Heav’n and earth, shall flee away;
All who hate Him must, confounded,
Hear the trump proclaim the day:
Come to judgment! Come to judgment!
Come to judgment! Come to judgment!
Come away!

Now redemption, long expected,
See in solemn pomp appear;
All His saints, by man rejected,
Now shall meet Him in the air:
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
See the day of God appear!

Answer Thine own bride and Spirit,
Hasten, Lord, the general doom!
The new Heav’n and earth t’inherit,
Take Thy pining exiles home:
All creation, all creation, all creation,
Travails! groans! and bids Thee come!

The dear tokens of His passion
Still His dazzling body bears;
Cause of endless exultation
To His ransomed worshippers;
With what rapture, with what rapture,
With what rapture
Gaze we on those glorious scars!

Yea, Amen! let all adore Thee,
High on Thine eternal throne;
Savior, take the power and glory,
Claim the kingdom for Thine own;
O come quickly! O come quickly!
O come quickly!
Everlasting God, come down!

Author and History

This song has a bit of a convoluted history.  Originally written by John Cennnick in 1752, it was later altered by Charles Wesley in 1758, and Martin Madan in 1760.   It makes me curious about what changes they might have made.  So I found an original version on the Cyber Hymnal.  It’s quite different!

Born into the Quaker tradition, John Cennick joined the Methodist movement with the Wesley’s and Whitefield.  When they parted ways, Cennick followed Whitefield and later joined the Moravians.   He became a pastor in the Moravian church.  A successful hymn writer he published two hymnals.   He left a number of hymns unpublished at the time of his death which his Son-in-law saw published. 

So I’m pretty sure that the pastors of the church I was part of growing up changed the tune of this song to a more familiar one. Why?  I don’t know this tune, though when I saw the words I started singing the hymn.   Go figure eh? 

Pondering The Words

Do you know this song?  As you sing it do you ponder Christ’s Return? How do it make you feel?

I read these words and all I see is the joy they hymnist has at Christ’s eventual return.  How he will take this kingdom for his very own, and his reign is one to celebrate. 

And so I’m convicted.  I am… I so rarely think of Christ’s return and think of it so joyfully.  Do I long for Christ to return?  Yes.  I see it as an ending to the suffering in the world and things being made right…but I often don’t go beyond that to the total joy of Christ being able to reign supreme. No longer will I have to look through a glass dimly.  I’ll be able to see him face to face in a world again made right.  This is something to celebrate don’t you think?

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

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Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is a song that I have known for such a long time.  I have recollections of it being on the records my mom used to play. I think… Johnny Cash did a version of it?   At least that’s what my vague memories tell me.  ANYWAYS, it often pops into my mind and I’ll find myself singing.  I do not know all the verses by heart. 

swing low sweet chariot

Lyrics to Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

Refrain

Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home,
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.

I looked over Jordan, and what did I see?
Coming for to carry me home,
A band of angels coming after me,
Coming for to carry me home.

Refrain

If you get there before I do,
Coming for to carry me home,
Tell all my friends I’m coming, too.
Coming for to carry me home.

Refrain

I’m sometimes up and sometimes down,
Coming for to carry me home,
But still my soul feels heavenly bound,
Coming for to carry me home.

Refrain

The brightest day that I can say,
Coming for to carry me home,
When Jesus washed my sins away,
Coming for to carry me home.

Refrain

I’m sometimes up and sometimes down,
Coming for to carry me home.
But still my soul feels heavenly bound,
Coming for to carry me home. 

Author and History

We don’t know for sure who wrote Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.  It might have been Wallace Willis, a Negro slave born in Mississippi and owned by Britt Willis, a Choctaw.   It is thought he was inspired by the Red River which reminded him of the River Jordan and the prophet Elijah. Alexander Reid, a minister at a Choctaw school Willis was at, heard him singing and transcribed the music sending it The Jubilee Singers.  Learn more at Songwriters.

Or if it was created by Sarah Hannah Sheppard a slave.  Apparently, she learned her master was going to sell her daughter and in her fear, she ran away intent on suicide for herself and her daughter.  You can read the rest of this story at the Library of Congress.   The daughter Ella was part of The Jubilee Singers.

Either way, it’s an old African Spiritual regardless of who wrote it. 

Thinking More

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is a song that has a rhythm to it.  It’s no wonder to me that when I’m doing a repetitive task that this tune will pop into my brain.  

I like this line “I”m sometimes up and sometimes down, But still my soul feels heavenly bound”.  It’s that just so true?  We don’t always feel like we’re doing well in our faith journey but still… our goal is the same.  Heaven is our ultimate stopping place.  

His Eye is On the Sparrow

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My brain feels full of thoughts tonight as I write this post.  Thoughts about the rough week I had recovering from a migraine.  I also think back on talks where I speak to my boys heart of how my mind thinks and the comfort that God provides.  I repeatedly need to tell my lad that he and I think differently and sometimes that makes communication hard.  He likes a lot of precision in language…but mostly on his terms!   To be a teen again eh?   Why do I talk about this?  Well…because God constantly has his eye on me.  Just as if I were a little sparrow God watches over me.    That care changes how I live my life.  I was trying to share that thought with my lad tonight.  I don’t think I did a very good job, but hopefully the thought sticks with him a bit….   With all that, let’s learn a bit more about “His Eye is on the Sparrow” … and I know he watches me…..

His eye is on the Sparrow

Lyrics to His Eye is On the Sparrow

  1. Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
    Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
    When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
    His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
    His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
    • Refrain:
      I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
      For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
  2. “Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
    And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
    Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
    His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
    His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
  3. Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
    When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
    I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
    His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
    His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Author and History

Civilla D. Martin is the lyricist who wrote this song.  She had Charles H. Gabriel compose this happy tune.  Married twice, her first marriage was to Rev. John F. Geddes a Congregational minister  She later married Baptist pastor Walter Stillman Martin.  Together they one son, A.G. Martin. She authored many of the songs he used in this ministry only using the initials C.D. due to her husband’s composing and evangelistic work.  Her husband composed many of the tunes to the poems she wrote.  Together they were part of the restoration movement. A lot of her music was released in the early 1900’s and over the course of her life wrote several hundred hymns and other religious songs. 

His Eye is On the Sparrow was inspired by a conversation Ms. Martin had while talking with a bedridden believer in the city of Elmira, New York.   She happened to ask this saint if she did not at times get discouraged.  The response she received was that God cares about the sparrow so why should she get discouraged?  This spawned a poem that Civilla later wrote and is the lovely song we sing today. 

She also wrote Be Not Dismayed what ‘ere betide. 

Other Songs by Charles Gabriel

Thinking Deeper

Matthew 10:30-32

30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,

Luke 12:4-7

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Consider your worth.

Are you more important to God than a sparrow?  Consider how closely God watches these busy little birds.  Constantly flitting about searching for food and nesting materials.  They are like the mice of the bird word it seems.   YET get this… God himself minds them full well.  He knows when a single one falls to the ground… and he forgets them not.   We are of SO MUCH MORE VALUE than they are.   Do you not think God will watch over you just as closely as he does these wee bitty birds?   

Of course, he will!  Take comfort in that eh?  

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?”).