A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

faith

Keeping It Real

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So here I was today continuing to work through room changes.  Wanting to make my former office into a place of refuge for not only doing my lego, but for puzzling as well!  🙂  At one point I was trapped in the office and I mentioned to my sweetheart that I think I bit off more than I could chew.  He LAUGHED!  “Hun, he says you always do that!!  And I am not going to enable you!!”.    Nothing like a hubby for keeping it real eh?

keeping it real is the text, picture of man laughing

Keeping It Real

Keeping it real,
it’s what he does.
Laughing with me
over the years,
23 years, it’s all the buzz!

Farts, and burps,
the sounds of life
Some get annoyed, and
others laugh, a snicker or two.
No need for strife.

Scrapes, itches, bug bites
and more, scratches and bumps,
heralding the way to
work done well, or at least
well attempted!

Watching shows on the tube,
supposed to show life.
But it seems that keeping it real
is skewed in favour of
the changes in society.

Hugs and kisses, wanted
or no, human connection
it’s what makes us go.
Even when a bad mood hits
a friendly hello works!

Bad dreams, nightmares even
“I don’t think I can people today”.
An understanding word,
a corrective challenge,
A service attended, God heals.

faceless girl watching tv on wicker stool at home
Photo by Ksenia Chernaya on Pexels.com

Final Thoughts

I am so grateful that I have a hubby who knows how to offer direction and encouragement, as well as having times when he REFUSES to help (for my own good).  Nightmares would have stopped me from going to church this morning as I felt too rung-out to “people well”.  And God put just the right people in my path to be a balm to my spirit.   A good thing yes? 

Let Me Explain

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It’s been a while since I’ve joined in with Five Minute Friday.  Today’s post of Let me Explain gives you a glimpse into why.   Boy am I tired!  So much in life to keep a body busy!!!  I still have things to keep me “entertained” but overall, I can see a finish line. 

It was fun the other day, putting on spotify and listening to Fernando Ortega most of the day, and other days listening to books.  I listened to Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill.  This is a fantasy novel with an interesting quest and a weird twist at the end.  But it turned out well (I was quite concerned for a while that the ending would be bad), but that twist made it all work out. 

Text Let Me Explain, image of paper being shredded

Let Me Explain

Let me Explain,
give me a moment or two
to give you the reason
absent I’ve been.

You see first it was
the rabbitry, needing a roof,
and the rebuilding of shelves
and sanctions for cages to rest upon.

Then it was the yard,
massive yard waste to
clear up and take to the
local dump.

And then the lad’s girlfriend,
living with us is,
needing a room to call her own,
instead residing the library in.

Noting as things moved,
two much stuff this house has,
so removing furniture and
accumulated life.

The end is in sight,
the “to be shredded” pile in half,
two file cabinets, one writing desk,
and a shelf to be taken away.

Just some pictures to hang,
an office to tidy,
and hubby to sort through
his stuff and

Just in time for bible
study to start, when
I’m feeling like I might
actually have time!

Unexplainable Jesus by Erica Wiggenhorn

What is the bible study I’m joining in on?   Unexplainable Jesus by Erica Wiggenhorn.  I won’t be actually going to the study but will be doing it at home. I find that going out at night, I start to fall asleep and I don’t like feeling dangerous on the road. So I am doing it at home, and that will be good.   

Anyways, the study.  We’ll looking at Jesus through the book of Luke. Five lessons per week over an 8-week period.  So just a bit to study over five nights in a week (so highly doable).  Videos to watch. And just learning more.  It’s a good thing no?   Perhaps you’ll want to join iU

The Opposite Has Happened

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The Opposite Has Happened took more than one attempt to write.  The idea was there, but the execution took some fine tuning.  Be glad I suppose I’m not sharing the failures with you.  I wrote this off and on as I cooked up our three cats food for the week.  MUCH later at night than what I had planned.  Timers set are a great thing when tired and kinda falling asleep.  🙂 

The opposite has happened

The Opposite has Happened

The opposite has happened from what was planned,
a growing relationship suddenly,
and it seems irrevocably, destroyed by a series
of unfortunately decisions.

Could it have been prevented with
more time, energy, or shared passions?
Poor decisions regarding language, disagreements over
politics and religion, or just general lack of commitment?

Some relationships are just, it seems,
not meant to be. Wouldn’t it be nice
to know ahead of time which ones to pursue
and which to just let go?

There is one relationship that if even
mildly pursued will reap the expected reward.
and that’s one of faith in the only one
truly triune God.

God tells us, if we seek him, we will indeed find him.
Seeking him entails opening up his word (the bible),
learning about him in fellowship with others, and
living out what we learn, and taking the time to talk and listen.

Prayer, bible study, fellowship meals,
Church services, serving within the body,
serving others with purpose to showcase
who God is, and thusly further building relationship.

This is one relationship where you don’t have
to fear the opposite happening. Where you work
hard to build relationship only to have it fall
apart while trying hard.

So fear not, rest assured,
God minds us full well, and once we are his,
we are his, and what we must needs do is
but try, and try, and try again.

Spending time reading, praying, talking,
taking the time to act on what we know, and
showcasing who God is to us, stopping the
fear of the opposite with distance happening.

What Can I Accumulate?

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I know I’m late to the party, but my brain is running around in circles and I’m trying to get it to chill out so I can get to sleep.  Writing poetry often helps me to chill so we’ll see if it works better than a cooler tonight.  This word accumulate hit me today.  I’ve been sorting through some things in the house this week.  I shredded tax documents from 1996-2013 for hubby and I. I’ve arranged for craft supplies to get to one of the local churches. And I’ve a pile of stuff on the floor to find a spot for before I go on vacation for  week… NO MESS in the house is the goal before I head out.  (nothing worse then coming home to more work to do after a relaxing time away eh?))  Well, okay, yes, there could be worse things but those things I can’t predict… messiness I can work against!!!  🙂   What can I accumulate?  I’m hoping over the next week to accumulate connection with my fellow!  Won’t that be grand?

what can I accumulate

What Can I Accumulate?

What can I accumulate?
Health?
I dunno, I could fuss on it a lot
and watch what I eat, and take
the supplements, and fuss some more.
I could have the perfect body you know?
But what will that get me?
More worry? Does it guarantee a
longer life? Or a happier one?

Wealth?
Possibly, wealth can make
some things SO MUCH easier.
House repairs, vacationing abroad,
Top quality bunnies, maybe even a
a 20 acre property just outside town.
But can also bring issues with
contentment, arguing over spending,
and more.

What can I accumulate?
Stuff? Oh please, I have reams and
reams of stuff… so much so I want
to toss it out the window some days.
Less stuff would make many things
much easier to handle. But also means
buying that thing you just got rid of,
right when you needed it! Creating
angst and feelings of brief wealth lost.

Bunnies?
YES!! One always needs more bunnies!
At least until one feels overwhelmed, and
then the sadness of having to terminate
said bunnies, even it if makes the
cats rejoice at MORE FOOD!!!! But in the
meantime, happy bunny hips and hops,
makes for plenty of smiles.

What can I accumulate?
A deepened faith.
More knowledge and understanding
into the very heart of God,
helping me to become more like
the one who created me.
More like the one who gave up everything
so that I can live a life abundant.

So faith, hope, love,
wonderful things that one can accumulate,
seeking after the gifts of the spirit,
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faith, gentleness and self-control.


What We Perceive

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Okay, that was weird.  I went to Kate’s blog as I always do and the word Path seemed to be the latest word prompt, but that seemed off.  Her email to me that this word perception, but the latest blog post was on the word path.  So I considered The Path Ahead, but apparently I should have been focused on what we perceive…

what we perceive

What we Perceive

The word is perception or
so I’ve been told, finding
the post not as easy or bold.

It makes me remember that perception
is not always as easy as one makes out.
What we perceive is influenced
by more than sight.

I’m reading a book in which
magical items can strengthen the
senses and physical well-being
of the one bearing it. But as the
wearer learns, the item (usually a blade)
has their own agendas and pushes them
constantly and one must be on-guard.

The world we live in has an agenda
all it’s own. And truth be told, not
always the agenda we want. It seems
so often that strife is what the
world wants. Division and discord
the name of the game.

So in our perceptions of the
world around
us, are we challenging
what we perceive? Are we looking
for the good or only seeing that
which divides? That which causes
us to think negatively?

It’s a battle we all face you know?
To fight against the pressures
of the world and seek after
the good. To seek after
the things eternally right.
It’s part of our path that lies ahead. 🙂

an artist s illustration of artificial intelligence ai this illustration depicts language models which generate text it was created by wes cockx as part of the visualising ai project l
Photo by Google DeepMind on Pexels.com

God’s word on perception

1 Corinthians 2:14-16  14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

The Path Ahead

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Miss Kate has provided the word path for us to work on this weekend. Seems apt for the week I’ve had, a week filled with questions and perpetual busyness.  Somethings have seemed a bit much and hard to work through than anticipated.  Good has been seen which is a saving grace.  Choices in the path ahead seem very relevant I am finding.  

The Path Ahead

The path ahead
is lightly marked,
the forest green,
the rocks large, brambles thick.
Can one find their way through?

The path ahead
is filled with
frustrations and worry,
a cat peeing on towels,
and vexation runs high.
Can one find their way through?

Distractions and worry,
troubles and heartache,
doom and gloom every
where one looks.
Can one find their way through?

Doom scrolling, tv shows,
critters to walk,
work to do, so many
things that need doing,
that distract from eternal thoughts.
Can one find their way through?

The path is narrow,
the road is wide,
so many choices and
patterns of living.
Can one see their way clear?

What guidance will one seek?
What roadmaps to follow?
Does the company kept matter?
Are internal promptings feelings
or something more godly?
What conversations should one have?

The way through matters!
Choices made have consequences
even if we can’t see them immediately.
Sometimes a race started doesn’t have
to be finished. BUT if the race you are
in, is the ultimate, important one, this
would be the one to complete.

photo of pathway surrounded by fir trees
Photo by James Wheeler on Pexels.com

What God has to say about the path ahead

Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” This verse emphasizes the importance of relying on God rather than our own limited understanding when making decisions.
 
James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.” This scripture reassures us that we can seek God’s wisdom in our decision-making process, and He will provide it generously.
 
Proverbs 16:9: “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” This verse reminds us that while we may have our own plans, it is ultimately God who directs our paths.
 
Isaiah 30:21: “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” This passage encourages us to listen for God’s guidance as we navigate our choices.

Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This scripture highlights the importance of prayer in decision-making and the peace that comes from trusting God.

Acts 4:13-22

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Okay, let’s talk abit.  I’ve come to realize in the past month or so that I’ve been rather angry with God over a few different things and so had walked away for a bit.  NOT GOOD on my part.  God can handle my anger.  He created me right?  So it’s not like he doesn’t know what he created when he made me.  BUT still not good on my part right?   That’s taken a bit of processing. And still will for a bit.  It’s okay.   NONE-THE-LESS, time for me to get past that and get on with remembering whose I am.   Going back into my study on Acts.   Today we’re covering

Acts 4:13-22

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

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Acts 4:13-22

Acts 4:13-22

iAs you may recall, Peter and John were standing before the council.  Peter had just finished proclaiming who they were following.  Jesus Christ of Nazareth, raised from the dead, and by whom salvation can be found, in him and no other.

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 

The council was made up of educated men as we can see in verse 5-6.  “On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.”  They saw and heard how clearly and boldly Peter spoke and were shocked. 

I can imagine them thinking “these are uneducated men who will stumble and fumble for words”.  But that is not the case.  Peter and John knew Christ and him crucified so could speak well on this subject.   Their knowledge of him was readily apparent eh?

Oh that I would be so bold eh?  I’m too often cowed.

14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council,

Who was this man healed, the one who led to this whole situation?  A lame man.  You’ll read about his story in Acts 3. Just a man, well known for his begging at the Beautiful Gate.  A man who no longer needed to beg for help. What else could the council do but to let them go?

After they let them go, a council meeting.

15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 

Imagine having something happen in your community that you don’t want talked about. Something that was fundamentally true… after all the lame man is there walking and talking.  How can you possibly deny that reality? 

Now let’s say you don’t really want the news spreading anymore than necessary.  What do you?   Tell the perpetrators to not talk about it! So that’s what they did.  One gag order coming up! 

18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 

I can’t really see that working you know? People are still going to talk, and if you know you are in the right, why would you?  Peter and John said exactly that: 

19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

They weren’t going to shut up about what happened because they were more concerned about God’s reaction to them than what people’s reaction.  We so need to be more like this don’t we?  Speaking God’s truth, being more concerned about what God wants from us than to be concerned about the world’s reactions and thoughts. 

No Deniability

 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

I can sort of understand the council you know?  They don’t want news spreading about what they consider a false religion.  So they can say don’t talk about it, but how can you suppress the fact that a lame man is now walking around and that Jesus Christ is the reason for it?   Men following the Son of God, healing in his name, and the fellow is right there.  Living proof! People saw this 40 year man healed and were praising God for it.  You can’t really stop that you know? 

What’s stopping me from praising God for the wonders he does in my life?  Something to think about eh?  Do you find yourself not talking about the wonders of God?  Why?  Share with me, perhaps we can learn together eh?