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A Net in Time

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faith

My Faith Looks Up To Thee

March 28, 2021 By Annette1 2 Comments

You know what?  I’m actually REALLY surprised that I haven’t done My Faith Looks Up To Thee.  When I saw it in the Lift Up Your hearts hymnal (affiliate link) I almost passed it by.  A nudging had me searching to see if I’ve done it before I have not!   Let’s learn more today shall we? 

My Faith Looks Up to Thee

Lyrics to My Faith Looks Up to Thee

My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away,
O let me from this day be wholly Thine!

May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me, O may my love to Thee,
Pure warm, and changeless be, a living fire!

While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread, be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray from Thee aside.

When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold sullen stream shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love, fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above, a ransomed soul!

Author and History

Okay, so Ray Palmer palmed the words to My Faith Looks Up To Thee.  He wrote them the day after he saw a vision of Christ.  He had just graduated from Yale.  Mr. Palmer chose not to share this hymn with anyone for two years.  When asked to pen a hymn for a new hymnal, he pulled this one out.  Lowell Mason put his words to a tune, and later told Palmer, he’d probably be long remembered for this hymn. 

Ray Palmer wasn’t just a hymnist though, he was also a pastor within the Congregational church. He not only pastored, but later served as secretary to a large group of Congregationalist churches. Since the pay to be secretary wasn’t good he lent a hand to creating literary works. He wrote 3-4 hymn/poetry books, wrote for quarterly magazines, and as wrote books and discourses.   A father of 10 children, one son and two daughters survived his death (a series of strokes) at age 78. 

Steve Green is one of my favourite Christian singers to listen to.  He shows his faith well in how he sings praise to God. So of course I had to pick a youtube video showcasing his talent.  🙂 

Thinking Deeper

Don’t you just love the call to continue to trust in Jesus?  When we are doubtful or sad, or facing a struggle.  Even when life has run it’s course, the call is to continue to trust in Jesus. 

I don’t know you, but there are times when I question my commitment to the Lord.  I have learned in those times to do as as hymnist does… call about the Lord to booster my faith. It’s only by God’s grace that I have faith in him anyways, so it’s a natural thing, don’t you think, to ask him to give strength to our hearts? 

Filed Under: Faith, Homeschooling Tagged With: faith, history, Hymn, Music

Jesus, Lover of my Soul

March 21, 2021 By Annette1 2 Comments

Jesus, Lover of my Soul…. oh, I’ve sung this song for years.   It was a favourite in the church that I grew up in.  A song written by Charles Wesley who wanted others to know of this God who is our source of refuge.  

jesus lover of my soul

Lyrics to Jesus Lover of My Soul

Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.

Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed, all my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.

Thou, O Christ, art all I want, more than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy Name, I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace.

Plenteous grace with Thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart; rise to all eternity.

Author and History

So imagine this.  You’ve preached a sermon, and people hate you for it.  They want you dead.  A kind person hides you. As you are waiting for your pursuers to get tired of the hunt, the words to a song come you.

This is how Jesus, Lover of my Soul came to Charles Wesley. During a time of stress and persecution.  His life on the line, and what does he do?  Write a hymn not only recognizing who Jesus is but calling upon him for aid.  

Charles Wesley travelled around England’s countryside with his brother John preaching.  He did so at a time when holding to different doctrinal standards could result in mobs of angry people. YET, he did so irregardless of the cost. Known as the “Bard of Methodism”, he wrote some 6500 hymns.  Hymns flowed out of him, whether doctrinally or experientially based. 

This verse is part of the original song, but none of the hymnbooks I own contain it.

Wilt Thou not regard my call? Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall—Lo! on Thee I cast my care;
Reach me out Thy gracious hand! While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope I stand, dying, and behold, I live.

Other hymns by Charles Wesley

  • Come, thou long-expected Jesus.
  • Christ the Lord is Risen Today. 
  • Ye Servants of God, your master proclaim.
  • Rejoice the Lord is King. 
  • Christ whose glory fills the skies.
  • Love Divine all loves excelling. 
This tune is one I am not really familiar with

Thinking Deeper

Doesn’t this verse speak well to the depth found within this song?  

“3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 (ESV)

This truth is what Wesley relied upon. God was his source of strength. When I read of how hymnists use their life experiences to call people to God, it’s an inspiration to me.  It helps me realize that all the ways that God has helped me, are something that I, hopefully, can use to remind others of God’s goodness. 

It makes me ask this…. what inspires you? 

Filed Under: Faith, Homeschooling Tagged With: faith, history, Hymn, Music

Pass Me Not O Gentle Saviour

March 14, 2021 By Annette1 2 Comments

Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour is a song that we’ve always sung quietly.  It’s never been a belt it out at the top of your voice type of hymn.  A song that is a call out to the Lord to hear us.   It did surprise me though, I did listen to a couple of youtube videos that were a wee bit peppy.  It struck me as a bit um… odd?  unexpected? different?

pass me not o gentle saviour

Lyrics to Pass Me Not O Gentle Saviour

Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Refrain

Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Let me at Thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief,
Kneeling there in deep contrition;
Help my unbelief.

Refrain

Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.

Refrain

Thou the Spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom in Heav’n but Thee?

Refrain

Author and History

Fanny Crosby wrote this lovely hymn after she ministered at a prison where she was often interrupted by the prisoners calling out to God to “not to pass me by”.  She was so moved by their pleas that she wrote this song.  As Fanny said, “I wrote the lines with the men’s plead­ing wail still in my ears.”

Fanny Crosby is also known as the “Queen of Gospel Song Writers”.  Over the course of her lifetime, she wrote more than 8000 hymns.  A medical treatment when she was a wee child left her blind. She did not let this stop her from writing poetry, working in missions, or composing music. 

She met her husband, van Alstyne, at the NYIB. Even though she was friends with her husband, it was not a happy marriage. Their only daughter was lost shortly after birth. For all of her success in writing hymns, Fanny often lived in very poor conditions. 

Other Hymns by Fanny Crosby:

  • Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine.
  • Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross. 

Pondering Deeper

Psalm 73:25-26 (ESV) 

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Reading the story of how such a great lyricist often lived a life of poverty saddened my heart. When I think today of how so many people make a living off writing music, and Fanny lived in poverty.   

But she maintained her faith in God.  She didn’t let the circumstances of her life lead to live in despair. She really understood the meaning of relying on God. The words from Psalm 73 really show the heart of Fanny.

Do they show your heart as well? 

Filed Under: Faith, Homeschooling Tagged With: faith, history, Hymn, Music

Dolphin Island

March 2, 2021 By Annette1 2 Comments

Many thanks to Entertainment Squad for providing Dolphin Island for review.  Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. 

A dolphin, an orphaned girl, a set of grandparents, a sleazy lawyer and a caring grandparent guardian.  It’s the setting for conflict and drama.  Thusly Dolphin Island came into being.   

dolphin island

What I am Reviewing

Shaked Berenson produced the 91 minute long Dolphin Island, which has been approved by the Dove Foundation for children age 7-18. A family friendly production and will be released on March 2.   View the trailer: 

Dolphin Island, the fun details

Can one orphan girl find a way to stay on the island that she loves with her best dolphin friend?   This 2021 best feature film winner of the Christian Film Festival seeks to answer that question.

Dolphin Island

Although this film professes to be a faith based film I found very little evidence of faith throughout the film.  A prayer for help/thanksgiving was given close to the end, but overall it literally could have been any movie.

The acting was okay, not great.  The storyline fairly predictable.  I really WANT MORE when it comes to faith-based films.  I really do.  We should do better when it comes to feature films, particularly for ones that are meant for a broader range audience.  This movie, for me as an adult, simply didn’t cut it for me.   

I can totally though, see the appeal for families with children under 10 years old.   It is family friendly, with the bad guy being predictably sleazy, and the good guys being good though a wee bit clueless about how to stand up for themselves. Kids will be able to empathize easily and cheer when the good guys win.  That’s a good thing! 

The story itself is nice. There is a happy ending.  Mitzy is a  very amazing dolphin.  Super smart and pulls off these fantastic leaps through the air. 

Should you get it?

You know what?  While I found the story line and acting somewhat lacking as an adult, I can totally see families with young children thoroughly enjoying this movie.  It has a dolphin and a girl in trouble. It has a happy ending.  It’s all that a child needs to make for a good movie. 

If you are looking for a movie that hits all the high notes of being safe for kids, has a non-demanding faith element, and a good ending… Dolphin Island hits all the high notes.  🙂 

It is will available on various streaming services starting today.  You can purchase a copy of Dolphin Island here. 

For a chance to win a digital copy, enter below.  North Americans only. 

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Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: faith, Family Life, Review

How best to Enable

February 26, 2021 By Annette1 20 Comments

Enable, that’s the word of the week provided for us by Miss Kate. To enable is to give (someone or something) the authority or means to do something.  My question today is, how best to enable?  What can we do to enable others to get or have or become whatever it is needed?

How best to enable

How best to enable

It’s but a moment
Takes just a couple of seconds,
Help me.

But in that help me
Might come some baggage.

A help me always
Requires a giving
A showing of need.

Sometimes, just sometimes
That’s a very hard thing to do.

I had a friend
Years past, Who lived
Close to the pocketbook.

Things were hard, but
Asking for help, harder.

I never understood this
This reticence to
Ask for help.

Until, older age and pain
Crept in, and asking for help. Hard.

That admitting of weakness.
That internal feeling of
Shame, and regret, and sorrow.

So I ponder
How do we enable
the asking of help?

While ensuring the
Continuation of dignity?

I admittedly have
No solid answer, but
I’m learning.

That conversations matter,
The taking time to listen.

Or even the taking time
To explain the why,
Or even to not explain.

Sometimes, the offer made
is all that is needful.

Without the expectation
that only you,
Can meet a need.

Sometimes the best way
to enable.

Is while listening
just lend a hand
without explanation.

And perhaps we will learn
how best to enable.

How best to enable

Scriptural basis

Exodus 17:12

When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.

Galatians 6:2

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Matthew 5:16

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Filed Under: Faith, Poetry Tagged With: #fmfparty, faith, Five Minute Friday, Poem, poetry

O God, Our Help in Ages Past

February 21, 2021 By Annette1 2 Comments

O God, Our help in ages past…. our hope for years to come… 

All I have to do is hear those first few words and in my mind I’m belting out the words in my slightly off-key voice.  Sitting here the thought makes me smile.  I think perhaps this was Mr. Watts goal.  Create simple tunes that help people long-term learn about the God they worship. 

O God our help in ages past

Lyrics

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home:
 
Benearth the shadow of thy throne,
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
 
Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting thou art God,
To endless years the same.
 
A thousand ages in thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
 
Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
 
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be thou our guide while troubles last,
And our eternal home!

Author and History

Isaac Watts was a prolific songwriter who was born in Southampton, England.  A congregation minister, hymn writer, theologian, and logician.

He once bemoaned the state of spiritual singing in church saying :  “To see the dull indifference, the negligent and thoughtless air that sits upon the faces of a whole assembly, while the psalm is upon their lips, might even tempt a charitable observer to suspect the fervency of their inward religion.”   He very much wanted people to pay attention to the words they lifted up in praise to God, ergo he wrote hymns.   Mr. Watts wrote some 750 hymns, in language that the common man could easily sing.

In 1703 he began suffering from a psychiatric illness which caused him to depend more and more upon his assistant when he was pastoring at London’s Mark Lane Independent Chapel.  He needed to resign in 1712. 

Other Isaac Watts Songs:

    • I sing the mighty power of God. 
    • From all that dwell below the skies.
    • Joy to the world. 
    • Am I soldier of the cross. 
    • When I survey the wondrous cross.

Thinking Deeper

So… do you see how God is your help and hope?  

I was talking with my mom the other day about how I have learned to trust God more deeply.  By seeing how his word has been lived out in the people in my life, the changes he wrought in them, to enable them to be people of God he has called them to be.  This, in me, builds trust.  It’s what God’s word does as well doesn’t it?

Shows us God in action in the lives of people. Shows how people can depend on God, and how God provides for his own throughout the years. 

So how have you seen God’s help in your life? What have you experienced that helps you to dwell securely in him?  In what ways have you been aware of his guiding hand? 

If you aren’t aware and would like to talk… I’m always happy to talk about the things of God with folk. 

Filed Under: Faith, Homeschooling Tagged With: faith, history, Hymn, Music

What does it mean to be Observant

February 19, 2021 By Annette1 12 Comments

Miss Kate has once again given us a word prompt for the week.   Observant has a couple of different meanings.   First to be quick to notice things.  Second is adhering strictly to the rules of a particular religion, especially Judaism.  To be an observant believer could also be described as being a devout believer.  These two definitions fit well with each other don’t you think?   What does it mean to be observant?

What does it mean to be observant

What does it mean to be observant?

The question is asked.
An eyebrow raised in expectation.
What does it mean to be observant?

To be observant is
Noticing the details.
Not just the large, but
Also the small. It is to
Pay attention.

But not only to pay attention
but to consider what
such an observation means.

A filled laundry basket
at the bottom of the stairs.
Noticed.
But it is truly observed
if it’s simply left there?

A neighbour sighs
Long and deep
Noticed.
But it is truly observed
If you don’t query why?

The 10 commandments
written down.
Noticed.
but if you ponder them not
Are they truly observed?

A group of children
circled round a singleton
Noticed.
Is observation truly seen
if you don’t watch for a few minutes?

A baby bunny
huddled in a corner.
Noticed.
But if you don’t look it over carefully
Are you being observant?

How many times in life
do you see, but
don’t truly observe?
Observation acts.
It doesn’t merely notice.
Think you not?

What does it mean to be observant?

What does it mean to be observant

Scriptural Insight

James 1:16-27

26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Exodus 34:11-12

11 “Observe what I command you this day. Behold, I will drive out before you the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 12 Take care, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, lest it become a snare in your midst. 

Proverbs 23:26

My son, give me your heart,
    and let your eyes observe my ways.

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Filed Under: Faith, Poetry Tagged With: #fmfparty, faith, Five Minute Friday, Poem, poetry

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