THE FABRIC OF LIFE

Jesus said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”  (Revelation 22:13 NIV)

History is like a giant piece of fabric with very intricate and complex patterns. During the limited span of our lifetimes we see only a tiny fraction of the pattern. Furthermore, as has been observed by others, we see the pattern from the underside. The underside of a weaving usually makes no sense. Even the upper side makes little sense if we view just a tiny piece. Only God sees the upper side, and only He sees the entire fabric with its complete pattern. Therefore, we must trust Him to work out all the details of history to His glory, knowing that His glory and our good are bound together. 

--  Jerry Bridges in “Trusting God”

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THE FABRICATION OF YOUR LIFE

“I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently will find Me.”  (Proverbs 3:18 NKJV)

An ancient proverb says, “Weave in faith and God will find the thread.”

When we look at the tapestry of our lives from this side of eternity, it often appears to be nothing more than unconnected, colorful threads. Yet from God’s side, you are weaving a portrait of your life. Place your life in God’s hands, and the Master Weaver will disentangle all those loose strands and make sense of your dropped stitches. Today, ask Him to take over the fabrication of your life.

-- from “God’s Little Book of Proverbs: Timeless Wisdom for Daily Living”

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GETTING CLOSER TO GOD

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”  (Acts 3:19 NIV)

Ask yourself if what you're doing today is getting you closer to God or further away; closer to where you want to be tomorrow or further away.

-- Unknown

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FINDING COURAGE TO GO ON

I sit in the rattan chair, white terrycloth robe bundled around me.  My feet and face are chilled by the crisp Gulf breeze flowing through the open French doors.

I've come to this house to right myself in life, to wake up, to rest.  Weeks into the visit I begin constructing the life I've yet to live, from the center outward, and I start with the cog of my existence -- my faith.  My belief in another dimension, another justice, another King, another government devoid of fallibility.  My belief in a place where mercy reigns supreme and thoughtful, demonstrative, detailed love is expressed in microscopic ways.

This way is for the brave.  It allows God to be God.  It expects Him to move, but not to fit.

This road is meted out to me in small segments.  I step forward to answer the call of my first segment: Speak the truth as you have tasted it.  Sow the love as you have reaped it.  Number your days and find the joy hidden in each step.

-- Margaret Becker in “With New Eyes"

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WHAT PATH ARE YOU ON?

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." (John 14:6a NRSV)

On this trail called life, all of us are following someone's directions. None of us are really blazing our own trail. We all follow a path that's been laid out for us by someone claiming to know the way. The question is: whose directions are you following? What path are you on?

-- Kyle Idleman in Not a Fan

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STEADY RESOLUTION

The life that conquers is the life that moves with a steady resolution and persistence toward a predetermined goal. Those who succeed are those who have thoroughly learned the immense importance of plan in life, and the tragic brevity of time.

-- W.J. Davison


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