A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

faith

Jesus Is born

By 2 Comments

So my study in Unexplainable Jesus takes me to Luke 2:1-15 but that seems to cut off in a rather odd spot, so I figured I’d break it down just a bit more.  Today we’ll look at Luke 2:1-7.  This section gives Luke’s account of the fact that Jesus is born. 

Luke 2:1-7

 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Jesus is born. Text from Luke 2:1-7

Jesus is Born: the Players

People mentioned in these five verses are 

  1. Caesar Augustus (v.1)
  2. Quirinius, the governor of Syria (v.2)
  3. Joseph, betrothed of Mary, her husband, Jesus’s dad, but not his biological daddy (v.4)
  4. Mary, the wife of Joseph, mother of Jesus (v.5)
  5. Jesus, God’s son born of a human momma. (v.7)

Caesar Augustus was the Roman Emperor.  He changed things up in the Empire, changing it from a republic into a dictatorship, bringing back the census, ending the war, and being labeled at “the Saviour of the World.”  He made changes that led to Jesus being born where he was supposed to.

Quirnius.  Obviously he was the governor of Syria. Due to the way folks translate the Greek in the New Testament we are told he was the governor of Syria, but the actual Greek says only the he was governing in Syria.  He wasn’t actually appointed until after Jesus was born.  Nevertheless he still oversaw this census for Caesar Augustus.  Quirnius was a highly regarded military leader. 

Joseph.  This Jewish man was betrothed to Mary when she became pregnant with God’s son.  He became Jesus’ earthly father.  Joseph was from the house and lineage of David. A man of faith, he was known as a Just man. Matt.1:19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 

Mary.  We don’t know a whole lot about her either.  She was probably between 14-16 years old when the Spirit of God overshadowed her.   She was Jewish, likely born in Nazareth, and she has an aunt and uncle named Elizabeth and Zechariah. 

Jesus, God’s son.  Raised by human parents.  Fully God, fully human.   A boy who would grow up in the favour and sight of God and man. 

jesus christ figurine
Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Pexels.com

What Else Can we Learn?

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

We know that God worked things out so that scripture could be fulfilled.  God’s son was to be born in Bethlehem, out of David’s line.  And the census caused Mary and Joseph to have to go to Bethlehem in order to be registered properly. 

 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

While there Mary gave birth to Jesus. No inn, no fancy place to stay.  Just a lowly couple, bedded down with the critters, having a baby, and a safe place (a manger) to lay her child in.  This is how our Saviour came into this world.

Follow along in this series.

I’ve been using The Unexplainable Jesus study as a background to my devotional time.  

Harmony Can Be Explained

By 6 Comments

Did you know that harmony can be explained?   There are lots of different ways of define harmony which I’ve tried to cover.  If I could find it again I’d pull up that bible verse I saw early today. It fit so well with everything, but alas, I saw, read, was delighted, and then moved on.  Anyways, if you want to read what others have thought of this weeks’ word prompt, go check Kate out. 

harmony can be explained, text over stacked rocks

Harmony can be explained

Harmony can be explained
partially as a balance.
It is reached when
a balance is achieved between
two diametrically opposed sides.

Harmony can be explained
as a musical combination of
notes that play well together,
pleasing to the ear, or
slightly discordant as in a
minor chord. Major chords tend
to sound better together yes?

A harmonious gospel quartet
has four voices that blend
well together. Just as the gospels
form as harmonious chord, four
voices blending together to tell
the story of the life of Christ.

One can see harmony, like in a book
I am reading. Wherein a new city is
built upon the bones of an old
city.  You see the new city using the
important remaining bits of the old,
and turning them into foundational aspects
for a new city full of beauty.

This leads me to ask.
Have You found balance in your life?
Do you realize yet, there is more
to life than the life you are living?
There is a God above, and here below,
that cares deeply for the eternal
lives of his created loved ones.

So will you?
Will you take a moment to
consider the deeper things
of life? Will you consider the
class=”yoast-text-mark” />/>more or what shall you do?
Find your balance in the best
way possible. Consider God well.
It matters!


Nurture

By 10 Comments

this short little acrostic occurred to me as I pondered the word Nurture. 

naturally
unnoticed
raised up while
tending to
unruly
replications
encourages

nurture (text) image of small green plant held in two hands

Have you ever taken the time to notice how people nurture their underlings differently?  Whether it be parents or managers?   Some do it well and others struggle in the task.  Therefore one wonders if that is the result of the nurturing they received.  Sometimes folk don’t even see the nurturing they receive, particularly if it is well-done.  

Intentionality needs to be part of it yes?

Like for instance hubby and I are currently in a membership class.  The church is intentionally fostering a need/desire for people to become members.  Why?

To help build up the body of Christ in a manner that demands some accountability.  One can be a bench warmer or one can fulfill their duties as a believer.  Part of that starts with being an active member in a body of believers. 

This week we are talking about the creation of new believers, and then the development of faithful disciples.  One begets the other, which in turn should beget more, and so the body of believers is continually built up.    

The church often fails in this, and so this particular church is seeking to actively change that.  To change the mindset of global mission to more local mission and meeting people HERE.  Encouraging faith in a society that discourages faith in God and promotes it in food, entertainment, and frivolity.  Building faith in God in a community that doesn’t see the need because they are so distracted by everything else.

That’s my five minutes…. 

Time sometimes goes too fast and I don’t feel like I’m done talking…. so let’s see how quickly I can write just a bit more.  🙂

Nurture

Nurture isn’t just external
There is an inward part.
Particularly when it comes
to sharing one’s own heart.

To see the church of God built
up means connecting more your own
to the creator God’s throne.

Seeing his majesty.
Working hard to reflect it.
So that those around you
are inspired to
ask questions and find
answers to their own
questing hearts.
AND THEN
the church can be built.

Make your life of faith
ones the begs questions from
others. One that God’s mercy
and grace shines out of
even if under a glass dimly.

Bury Me

By 2 Comments

Bury Me is my thought process on the word prompt provided by Miss Kate.  To read what others have to say about you’ll have to visit her.  I’ve tried to provide a nonchalant view of death since it has no long-term hold over me.  I have wishes and desires to see before I’m gone, but really, I’ve no control over it all anyways, so why be afraid? 

text bury me, image coffin and lamp

Bury Me

Bury me in the backyard,
throw me to the moon,
it doesn’t really matter
since I was dead before noon.

You see I’ve a better place
a-waiting, so it don’t matter
much.  What happens to the old
remains matters not, when I’m ready gone.

I have to admit, I wanted to
stay and see, what happens with
my boy and his girl throughout
the coming years. To see them, hopefully
come to faith in God.

Concern I had for critters,
and what happens to them,
as I don’t much want them dumped,
but safely cared for or at the very
least euthanized well.

I hate to think of the sorrow
of people left behind, but
hope that Christ’s message
is given to all who would so mourn.

I would that death not be
feared by anyone at all.
That more would see their
salvation which is held
so close at hand.

For death has no sting,
it has no victory. It’s all
been beat back by sacrifice
and God’s planning long ago.

Zechariah Prophesies

By 4 Comments

Elizabeth and Zechariah have a baby boy named John! ‘ You see on “the eighth day they came to circumcise the child”.  That’s when babies get their official names and all.   We talked about his naming recently if you recall.  🙂   Today we get to learn more about the prophecy that Zechariah spoke once it was confirmed the his son’s name was John. 

Luke 1:67-80

67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
    for he has visited and redeemed his people
69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
    in the house of his servant David,
70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71 that we should be saved from our enemies
    and from the hand of all who hate us;
72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers
    and to remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74     that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
75     in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
    in the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
    whereby the sunrise shall visit us[h] from on high
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Zechariah Prophesies - Luke 1

Zechariah Prophesies

Let’s see if we can’t unpack all that Zechariah said once he did what God wanted him to.  His boy is named John (despite it not being a family name) and his muteness unstopped. 

Here he is, filled with the Holy Spirit.

67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

He speaks to God’s action, God’s fulfilling of prophecy.  God promised a long time ago to bring salvation from the line of David. 

68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,

Salvation Promised

The purpose of this salvation is to save his people from their enemies.   Saved from the hand of all who hate those who are called of God.  So here’s my question.  Is this just another way of saying the same thing but slightly differently, or are our enemies not always those who hate us?  Do some just hate us for the sake of hating anything that is called of God?  I took that question to the Matthew Henry Commentary where he says “it is a salvation from sin, and the dominion of Satan over us, both by corruptions within and temptations without.”

71 that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;

To show mercy promised, to remember his covenant with them, and to keep his promises to Abraham.
72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us

Why?  So that we can serve him with no fear, and in holiness and righteousness all our days. 
74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

John a Way-Maker

And this his son, will go before the one, before the Lord, to prepare people for him.   John is a way maker for the Most High.  Preparing people to hear the message the Jesus brings.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

John Grew Up

And so John did what all children should do.  He grew up!  He became strong in spirit. Part of me wonders what exactly this means. Does it mean that he became closer to God, filled with the Holy Spirit and growing awareness of God’s call upon his life? 

The wilderness became his home until it was time for him to do his job.  Would it have been necessary for John to grow up in the wilderness?  Would it help to centre him better to not be distracted by other people, events, or the busyness of town life?  Did it mean that Zechariah and Elizabeth had to give up their lives as temple priest and town dwellers?   Or was the wilderness just his home once he was grown enough to move from his parents home? 

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

The Lord Bless You

By 14 Comments

The words from Numbers 6:22-27 immediately popped up into my brain as soon as I saw today’s word prompt.  I’ve heard this Aaronic blessing for most of my life at least two times a month in church services.   It doesn’t seem to pop up as much in the current church I am attending.  They use other scripture frequently to close a service.  Have you ever pondered the words of this benediction?  The Lord bless you… there’s much to consider eh? 

image of blue sky over snow covered mountains. Text: The Lord Bless You

The Lord Bless You

These words popped into my brain
the moment I saw the word
benediction.

Through a restless night of sleep
pondering the words to
The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace

The Lord Bless You
Just who is this Lord to
whom we call upon?
We know that he is the
maker of covenants, the creator
of the world, and the one by whom
all things are held together.

The Lord Bless You
What does it mean to be blessed?
Is it a inner feeling of well-being?
A prosperity of our soul?
Or unhindered fellowship with God?
What does it mean to you if
someone says “bless you”?

defining bless you

To me it’s different if a person
says it, then if I hear God
saying it through scripture.
When I hear The Lord bless you…
it’s like I know God wants the
very best for me and He’ll be with
me to see it all through.

If a person says “bless you” I don’t
really know what they are meaning.
Are they saying “have a good day” but
just using Christianease to say it?
Or are they basically saying
“good luck” with your day? I don’t
really know what is meant and no one
has ever clearly explained when asked.

The Lord bless you.
Me… blessed!
It’s specific and yet
global at the same time.
Me, part of the people of God,
being held and watched over
by the God of the universe.

Doesn’t that fill you with amazement?
I know how much you matter to
God in part of his whole global
care of the world and his
chosen family of peoples?

What does the word
benediction stir up for you?


Longing for Connection and Purpose

By 6 Comments

I started this post last night and then fell asleep with the laptop humming in my ear.  It’s just early afternoon now and I’ve found time to sit and finish.  My focus changed overnight so poem “my longing” changed to Longing for Connection and Purpose.   Anyways, I hope the words given me this day to write find a spot of thought in your brain today.   🙂 

Longing for connection and purpose

Longing for Connection and Purpose

Longing fills my heart
a heart weeping with need
for rest, time, and connection.

Nah, not really.

What is a longing in my life?

That’s the question I suppose.
or perhaps the question is
what is the longing
of the human soul?

Connection. To be able
to have relationship with
others in a way that works
for a given individual.

Purpose. Having a purpose
in life has saved more people
than it has not. Purpose gives
folk a reason to keep going.

The thing is, people let us down,
whether those people be external or
just ourselves. Distraction, internal
conflict, and more threaten.

For people to truly
thrive our connection and purpose
needs to be greater than ourselves.

If it isn’t, we are just
setting ourselves up for disaster.

So truly our longing is for
something greater than ourselves
to impact our lives meaningfully.

Find a way to be connected to something
more. Read God’s word. Think on it.
Focus on truth. Find others who seek
to understand God’s word to walk alongside
of, and find your longing for connection
and purpose fulfilled.