A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

poetry

The Danger is Hidden

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I saw the word danger and it took me a while to figure out what I could write about.  Sometimes, relief from difficulties in life is promised.  And admittedly that promise is kept!  Relief is delivered, but then sometimes, and this doesn’t always happen, but sometimes… and it’s those sometimes that catch you.  Sometimes that fix has unexpected repercussions.  We need to be aware that occasionally, the danger is hidden. Being alert to that possibility will save more oft than not! 

The danger is hidden

The Danger is Hidden

The promise was relief,
a numbing agent
promised
no more burning,
no more pain,
just a deadening sensation
nothing more.

And yes, it worked
it seemed a good thing
and then
it started
a worsening of pain
but in a different area
why?
What caused this change?

And then one learns
about related nerves
and how
relief in one area
can cause
a deadened, numbed
feeling in a related area.

So this promise
should have carried
a warning
a caution to
consider how nerves
in a body can be
connected, and a
simple promise might
not be so very very simple.

Makes me think
of how other promises
are made. And might
seem wonderful at the time
but overtime, you’ll
discover nerve connections
that will cause
discomfort beyond
proportion to the
original pain.

So what to do?
Be alert!
Read the warnings.
Consider, your options.
Is this pain
temporary, can it be endured?
Is the promise worth it?
Is there any way
a promise fix
can be compromised?

The Danger is Hidden

God has things to say

1 Peter 5:8-9

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Genesis 3:1a

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made.

Ephesians 6:11-16

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Healing takes time

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Heal, that’s the word for today.  When I saw it early this morning I thought hmm… rather appropriate on a week when I’ve been battling some mystery illness.  When being healed as soon as possible matters to me.  I want to get back to work and life!  I have things I want to get done.   And then as I think the song with the line “heal our land” pops in my brain.  Is it possible to combine them?  In the end what came was Healing Takes Time.

Healing Takes Time

Healing needed
a church split
people hurting
hard words said
community involvement
people want it fixed NOW!
but… this healing
takes time
a listening ear
a pastor faithfully
presenting God’s word
talking, helping, listening,
reminding, disciplining,
presenting an alternative view
Slowly and surely
hurts heal even as
ramifications still rumble.

Healing needed
husband wife
struggle with
infidelity, or loss,
or theft or any
of the multitude of sins
that infest the world.
Trust lost takes time to regain.
Conversation, heart-talks,
prayer and time alone so
needed through time.

Today a conversation with
a lad reminded me of
how some people get ill
and healing is fast, it’s like
it seems that no time
is wasted, and others,
get ill and six months later
recovery is still progressing.
Fast or slow,
recovery takes time.
Sometimes, prayer results
in God’s intervention, and
surprises happen.
Healing, regardless, takes time.

Healing takes time

Scripture Speaks

James 5:14-15

“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.” 

1 Corinthians 10:13

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 

Galatians 6:1-3 

 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.  2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.

Knowing God

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Okay, so I saw the five minute Friday word which this week is the word know but didn’t have time to write the post.  Since then I’ve had the song Be Still and Know, that I am God, Be still and know….. running through my head.   I thought for sure I had done a hymn study on this song, but nope!  All I did was find two posts that referenced this song.  Listen and Stillness.    It’s led me to ponder what it means to be knowing God.

knowing God

Knowing God

Knowing God
can happen in the blink
of an eye,
a sudden awareness that
there is something bigger
out there, a something
bigger that cares about
what is going on the world.
Sometimes that knowing comes
from a vision, a dream, or
sudden insight based on
events in the natural world.
God speaks in ways we
cannot comprehend.

Knowing God
is sometimes a quiet
growing understanding.
Of seeing others living
out their faith and asking
questions that lead to answers.
Or a growing up within a
Christian community that
leads to knowing the
reality of God’s existence.
A seeing God in action that
confirms an inward knowing.

Knowing God sometimes comes
about as the result of directed
conversation and a drawing
out of knowledge.
People willing to engage
in conversation directing
thoughts toward the
God of the universe.
People following the lead
of the Spirit’s prompting.

Knowing God happens
in so many different ways,
we should never discount
how one comes to faith,
but always seek to be
one part of the puzzle
that helps a lost
sheep come into the fold.

knowing god

Hearing God

Acts 9:3-6

. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Proverbs 22:6

Start children off on the way they should go,
    and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Matthew 28:18-20

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

How does one combine?

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Miss kate’s word of the day Both challenged my heart and mind with what to write.  I ended up with thinking about the juxtapositions of life I guess.  The things that people often struggle with.  How does one combine or should one even try?  It’s sometimes hard to live in the world and yet, not be of the world we are so much a part of. 

How Does One Combine?

How Does one Combine?

how does one
combine the picture
of Jesus gentle and lowly
with the Jesus
in wrath driving
out the sellers in the temple
using a whip and harsh tones?

how does one
combine the heart knowledge
of being a child
fully and completely loved
and yet
knowing the sin within
is hated fervently?

how does one
combine the awareness
of God the father
exhibiting all the patience
and tenderness of a mom
gently coaching and encouraging
their child?

how does one
see God in the world
around us when
everywhere is the bleating
of people proclaiming
evolutionary thoughts
into every sphere of life
whenever where I look I see
God in beauty and action?

how does one
feeling the breathe of God
have to constantly remind
oneself of his
history throughout
time, trying to grasp the
very scope of God’s eternalness
when we are so limited
by time and space?

how does one
combine the notion that
we are to live in this world
and yet,
and yet,
not be of the world?
this balancing act is
one that is hard to master.

Both war within
Both challenge thought
and heart and
drive one deeper into
God’s word.
Seeking out his very
heart, seeking to make
our own so much closer to it.

How Does One Combine

God’s word speaks

Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Colossians 1:16

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

so fast to pass judgement

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I have to admit to being curious about how people will react to this word prompt Fast provided by Miss Kate.   It’s a word that can be mainly used in a couple of different ways, so don’t you think it will be interesting to see what people do with it?   And I suppose the bigger (or would it be smaller) question is.. what will I do with it? 

In the end, I came up with this poem, so fast to pass judgement, and I have to admit, my thoughts are imperfect.  I am still in the process of sorting out my reactions to events in life.  Sometimes I am so tired of this cancel culture we live in.  I don’t like what you think or say, so I’ll just block you out of my life.  Or worse yet, I’ll find ways to attack you or judge you, or …. without giving you the opportunities to talk it out with me.   I so want us to DO better, but I’m not really sure how.  🙂 

so fast to pass judgement

so fast to pass judgment

I watch Facebook
and Instagram reels and
oftentimes the song
Run comes up.

You’ll see pups, cats,
horses, ducks and what not
running. Sometimes
colliding, tripping or
doing something unexpected.

All these critters
doing something at speed
moving fast, and for,
our enjoyment,
captured on film.

I have to admit
to sometimes being
tired of people
picking the same old
tune over and over and
over again.
Can’t people be more creative?

Then I think of a book
I’m listening to
They Call me George.

The author claims
that if people don’t
actively seek out
a multi-cultural society
from the very beginning
of a new country’s development
that it means they are racist
through and through
end of discussion.

And then I think
“Why are we today,
so fast to pass judgement
on those who have gone
on before us?”

I wonder
“Do people not realize how
much we want to
be birds of a feather?
And does that make
us racist?”

I remember the first day
my son
(we live in small-town Ontario)
met a black child for
the very first time.
He backed away from him,
and wondered, “Mommy,
is something wrong with him?”

Also remembering when
I went away to school
and everywhere I looked
there were people of different
colour and how very disconcerting
that was.

I was not racist then,
I am not racist now.
It was out of my
paradigm of experience
and it took me a while
to be truly comfortable.

Someone told me once
that I
“had to learn not to be racist”
when I met people who looked
different than me.

I strong disagreed with
that individual.
Just as I inwardly take
a step back when I meet
a person covered with tattoos,
or with wildly coloured hair,
or really strange clowns.

It’s like I need a moment
to go oh, yes, it’s okay.
It’s fine.
This person has kind eyes,
that person has a heart of gold,
and that person is just
plain scary, stay away from them.

Face it,
some people ARE scary.
And it has nothing to do
with their skin colour,
hair colour, clothing, or
the way they decorate
their bodies.

So why can’t we offer
grace to people in our
past, who were dealing
with their own stuff. Their
own societal pressures,
their own goals in life,
which are sometimes hard
to bend around.

Why are we
so fast to pass judgement?
Either toward people who
don’t immediately think the
way we want them to,
or who acted in ways befitting
their times?
Or who are the same helpless
fallen creations that we
ourselves are?

If we want to claim to
be better… we need
to DO better. And that means
NOT passing judgement on
others until you have
walked in their shoes.

And here I find myself
trying to walk that
fine line of not judging others.
I too, need to work harder
on not passing judgement
so very quickly.

I need to emulate more
the heart of Christ.
One that is filled
with gentleness and
compassion for this
sinful family he
calls his own.

so fast to pass judgement

God’s words, and me a bit more

So yes, I admittedly went a bit beyond the five-minute timer on this, but words flow, you write.  That’s the way to goes sometimes. 

My heart verse has always been 1 Peter 2:9-10

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

So I often find myself asking this question: how in this situation can I show grace, or mercy to this other person.  Often I fail. I’m just frustrated, tired, caught up in other people’s angst, or just plain selfish.  Focused on me, not on the Lord residing within me.   I need to remember to step back and say, “Okay, girl child, how can you show grace here, in this exact situation?”

God is so crazily gracious to me… IT BLOWS MY MIND.  I see my failure, and the gick of who I am so clearly sometimes.  And yet, and yet, he still gives rip about me.  He still calls me his very own. This overwhelming grace that he bestows upon me begs me to send it out to those around me. 

So can’t we find a way to do better?  To just stop being so fast to pass judgement?

Learning to Run

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Miss Kate has put up the Five Minute Friday word prompt of the week, she’s chosen the word run.  And honestly, I don’t feel like running!  My hubby is down with covid and feeling rather beat up by it.   His exhaustion seems to be making me tired! 🙂  ERgo I’ve been keeping busy, and as I work I ponder this word.    It makes me think of my boy… he was challenged by a friend to run, so for the past year he’s shown dedication to Learning to Run.  

I will be affiliate linking to a book that God is having me read, showing me deeper the heart of Christ. 

Learning to Run

Learning to Run

Step by step
on he goes.
Walking, pacing,
jogging, it causes woes.

Run half a block
walk the rest
This isn’t fun
at all he says.

Slowly, surely
on he goes.
Determination
Floods his face.

This thing I will do
his inner cry.
Before you know it
One block run!

Onwards, alternating
a walk, then run,
a run then walk.
Before you know it.

Halfway cross town
Now this becomes fun.
Can he beat his time?
Will friends join in?

Yes, they run
they chat and laugh
sometimes stop
at local dairy queen.

This determination
an inspiration
Can I grab onto that?
The idea that run, then walk?

Turn it into NOT running
for me… I despise it true!
But perhaps
seeing how a devotional might do?

I want to read and
study the bible every day.
But sometimes distractions
and time filter time away.

But I can make a choice
Grab a verse to think on,
have a devotional ready to read
a new chapter in the bible.

Perhaps not studied time
desired and needed,
but a determination to
spend some time.

Needed time.
Read a book recommended
that pushes thought.
Me, seeing God’s heart.

And so, step by
determined step,
I’m drawn into
the heart of God.

Reassured of his love,
inspired by his grace,
to continue the journey
he himself, set before me.

And so I too
find myself
learning to run,
just differently.

Learning to Run

God Speaks to Us

Hebrews 12:1-3

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
 
Isaiah 40:28-31
 
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint

People Deny

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I saw the word deny posted by Miss Kate this morning and these thoughts, expressed in the poem, People Deny, started swirling in my head.  I think about the people in Ukraine and how families will deny themselves in different ways to keep loved ones safe.  How boys will go off to battle.  And then I think of Good Friday and what it signifies.  Life is full of denials, big and small. Do we pay attention to them?

people deny text over shrouded cross

People Deny

People Deny
All kinds of things
some for good
some for ill
and some for reasons
unexplained.

Take for instance
four pieces of fish
Three hungry people
a growing teen
Who gives way
for that hollow leg?

Or a brother
seeing a sister
in a terrible way
Puts himself in
danger to see
her safely away?

Or the way a man
struggling with self
works a dead-end job
in order
to provide shelter
and stability
for a family?

Of a single mom
working 9-5 and then
staying up late
studying hard
to provide a
better future for
her younglings?

Or a child
out with friends
urged to shoplift
a thing or two
and says no,
despite the mockery.

Does any compare to
the denial of self,
the dying for
others who can’t
quite the see
the need?

Who fight against
that sacrifice daily,
but for the joy
of his people,
his kith and kin,
Died, so that one
might see God himself?

God Speaks to Us on how People Deny

Matthew 16:24-27

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

Psalm 103:13-14

13 As a father has compassion on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
    he remembers that we are dust.

Jesus and the Cross

Luke 23:46

46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

John 3:16-24

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.