The Weaver

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For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.        

Jeremiah 29:11 

THE WEAVER
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Written by B.M. Franklin (1882-1965)

My life is just a weaving
Between my Lord and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaves so skillfully.

Sometimes He weaveth sorrow
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.

Not ‘til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And explain the reasons why-

The dark threads are as needful,
In The Weaver’s skillful hands
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

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Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

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http://bible.com/12/rom.8.35.asv
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
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Sometimes we feel alienated from God.  Times get really tough.  We anguish over circumstances, broken relationships,  betrayals,  persecution by bullies, political opponents or people that just can’t or refuse to understand us.  When times get rough the first tendency is to cry out “Why me God?!!!”
But God says in every circumstance, whatever we are anguishing over He has never left.  His love burns a steady hot  radiating compassion, love, kindness,  patience and wisdom.

Satan seeks in our misery to break us down and put a wedge between us and God.  He would enslave us in fear and resentment and seeking anything to dull the pain.  While God comes along side and urges us to greater faith, greater strength and patience.  “Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.”  The easy road of complaining and apathy or resentment is self destructive while trusting God to do amazing things in the dark times brings joy and hope and freedom from fear.  Every time we use our faith muscles by saying “God is awesome!  He’s got my back in this! ”  we grow stronger and less easily pushed over when hard times or bad news hits.

Having faith is believing the mountain is still there even though hidden by dense fog.  We know that we know that we know even against “evidence to the contrary.”  Don’t give up on God.   He will never give up on you!

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To everything there is a season

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Are you in the middle of changes and you can’t wait to get to the other side?

It seems renovation is an endless process.  There is so much take down and demolition that has to take place even before starting.   Everything has a time and a purpose.   It’s back breaking, heartbreaking, mind boggling,  overwhelming work.  Thank God  we have a wise builder,  my husband,  who sees the big picture and plans for each next phase of this project.   For me I just want it over so there can be no more dust, working shower and tub, a functioning kitchen, time to get on a with life!

God looks at the big picture too.  He says,  He has plans, amazing and glorious plans for our lives that are good and acceptable and perfect.   These are plans to bless us not curse us.  Plans to restore the years that were robbed from us.   When we were wounded He will heal.  When we were abandoned He vows to never leave but provide a constant Comforter and Guide.  When we were dead He calls LIVE!  Jesus said I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me shall never die the second death.  He said “Come to me all you who are weary with heavy burdens and I will give you rest.  Take My harness on you for I am humble and gentle of heart and you will find rest for your souls.”  It’s when we hook up with Jesus we can begin the transformation.   He views us, as the One who redeemed us from the curse of the law by paying our debt, as totally cool.   He freed us from the systems that require our time,  commitment,  passion, devotion with strings but cannot enable or secure our future with love and purpose.  He has provided His Word,  the Bible, as the method for straightening our thoughts and attitudes.  When we accept God’s Redemption plan through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus,  for our life, Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit.   Without the Holy Spirit the truths of God are undeciferable, reading the Bible just doesn’t make sense.  All Scripture from the Bible, is God breathed, and God uses it to build His values into us, show us when we are wrong or off base, how to get us back on track, and to equip us completely for every good work.   The Holy Spirit Is our Mentor.   He uses the Bible,  our circumstances,  and other Christians to inspire to change and become who we long to be: free from fear, envy, violence, confusion,  anxiety, worry.  As we press into Jesus and wait on the guidance of  the Holy Spirit we slowly shed those hang ups and values that keep us from true freedom,  from real rest of heart and mind.  We become whole.   This is a neverendng process this side of heaven. Until God says “it is finished!” we  will always be a work in progress. 

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Change: Its about THE DANCE

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He cradles us and delights in our trust.  He sings over us songs of deliverance and friendship and the dance.  He invites us to invite others into the dance that will never end but reflects His sufficiency in each new stanza.  Our partners may change faces but it is really Him in each refrain.  But must we change?  I am happiest with THIS SONG!  I know this one best but I feel the change is at the door and it feels like death not new beginnings.  Am I allowed to grieve?  Must I celebrate?  Must I dance?  “Yes, my beloved, dance!”  You smile as only you can, a smile that comes from a broken heart that carries our griefs and bares our sorrow to free us to love and receive love without borders.  “Yes, DANCE!” You laugh, “But let Me lead!”

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Change: Its about THE DANCE

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He cradles us and delights in our trust.  He sings over us songs of deliverance and friendship and the dance.  He invites us to invite others into the dance that will never end but reflects His sufficiency in each new stanza.  Our partners may change faces but it is really Him in each refrain.  But must we change?  I am happiest with THIS SONG!  I know this one best but I feel the change is at the door and it feels like death not new beginnings.  Am I allowed to grieve?  Must I celebrate?  Must I dance?  “Yes, my beloved, dance!”  You smile as only you can, a smile that comes from a broken heart that carries our griefs and bares our sorrow to free us to love and receive love without borders.  “Yes, DANCE!” You laugh, “But let Me lead!”

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Mountain reflections: what do you mirror?

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Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable, excellent and praiseworthy think on THESE things.  Philippians 4:8

People have commented that I am always smiling.  Always happy.  The last time was just last week.  I responded it was because I loved Jesus and Jesus is in my heart.  Sometimes He’s really deep down inside my heart meaning I don’t always reflect my joy but He’s always there.  Why don’t I always reflect my joy?  I think I wobble a bit and lose my moorings when I lose sight of the good God has poured into my life and cease to be grateful.  There are plenty of things in the news that are alarming, distressing, infuriating, dismaying.  But God says don’t be preoccupied with those things that strike your heart with fear and rage.  God is bigger than your worst fears.  He says don’t be afraid.  Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you.

Cute beyond words: Aren’t grandkid so great?!!!

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Between crawling and standing the entertainment is huge.

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What a tremendous gift and blessing!  I pray for them to remember how much I love them.  I pray these lambs find my God early and know, like me that He is a good Shepherd.  May they know when they stumble, and we all do, that God is merciful, forgiving, faithful, strong, complete and not needing or wanting our pain or indulgences.  May they journey in hope and joy and fearless confidence in faith knowing God has a plan for their lives and He always has their backs.

Who is Jesus:Hebrews 1:1-3 (Amplified Bible)

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IN MANY separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the Truth] and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by the prophets, [But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order]. He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God’s] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high,
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When my days are hectic and I feel confused, anxious, irritable or sad I find turning to God puts everything into perspective.  When I fail to see God in the storms of my life I loose my moorings.  It is a relief to know I am not expected to know all the answes as long as I am depending on the One who does.

Happy Sunday!  Happy SON day!

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