Archive for March 6th, 2008

06
Mar

at the right hand of the divine weaver

The wise will know what this means. Otherwise, ignore it. Nothing to see here.

Weaving is an ancient textile art and craft that involves placing two sets of threads or yarn called the warp and weft of the loom and turning them into cloth. This cloth can be plain (in one color or a simple pattern), or it can be woven in decorative or artistic designs, including tapestries.

A loom is a machine or device for weaving thread or yarn into textiles. In practice, the basic purpose of any loom is to hold the warp threads under tension to facilitate the interweaving of the weft threads.

A shuttle is a tool designed to neatly and compactly store weft yarn while weaving. Shuttles are thrown or passed back and forth through the shed, between the yarn threads of the warp in order to weave in the weft.

A man’s life is laid in a loom of time
To a pattern he does not see.
While the Weaver works and the shuttles fly
Till the end of eternity.

Some shuttles are filled with silver thread,
And some with threads of gold;
While often but the darker hue
Is all that they may hold.
But the weaver watches with skilful eye
Each shuttle fly to and fro,
And sees the pattern so deftly wrought
As the loom works sure and slow.

God surely planned that pattern
Each thread – the dark and the fair –
Was chosen by his master skill
And placed in the web with care.
He only knows the beauty
And guides the shuttles which hold
The threads so unattractive
As well as the threads of gold.

Not till the loom is silent.
And the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the pattern
And explain the reason why

The dark threads are as needful
In the weavers skilful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern he had planned.

“The right hand denoted the south, and the left the north (Job 23:9; Sa1 23:19). To give the right hand was a pledge of fidelity (Kg2 10:15; Ezr 10:19); also of submission to the victors (Eze 17:18; Jer 50:15). The right hand was lifted up in taking an oath (Gen 14:22, etc.). The hand is frequently mentioned, particularly the right hand, as a symbol of power and strength (Psa 60:5; Isa 28:2). To kiss the hand is an act of homage (Kg1 19:18; Job 31:27), and to pour water on one’s hands is to serve him (Kg2 3:11). The hand of God is the symbol of his power: it’s being upon one denotes favour (Ezr 7:6, Ezr 7:28; Isa 1:25; Luk 1:66, etc.) or punishment (Exo 9:3; Jdg 2:15; Act 13:11, etc.). A position at the right hand was regarded as the chief place of honour and power (Psa 45:9; Psa 80:17; Psa 110:1; Mat 26:64).”

“The ancients made a careful distinction of the respective values of the two hands. This is perhaps best seen from Gen 48:13-19, where the imposition of the hands of aged Israel upon the heads of Joseph’s sons seems unfair to their father, because the left hand is being placed upon the elder, the right hand upon the younger son. The very word euonumos proves the same from the Greek point of view. This word is a euphemistic synonym of aristera, and is used to avoid the unlucky omen the common word may have for the person spoken to. Thus the goats, i.e. the godless, are placed at the left hand of the great Judge, while the righteous appear at His right (Mt 25:33). We read in Eccl 10:2, “A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left,” i.e. is inclined to evil. As the Jews orientated themselves by looking toward the rising of the sun (Latin oriens, the east), the left hand represented the north, and the right hand the south (1 Sam 23:19,24; 2 Sam 24:5). The right hand was considered the more honorable (1 Ki 2:19; Ps 45:9); therefore it was given in attestation of a contract, a federation or fellowship (Gal 2:9). It is the more valuable in battle; a friend or protector will therefore take his place at the right to guard it (Ps 16:8; 73:23; 109:31; 110:5; 121:5), but the enemy will, for the same reason, try to assail it (Job 30:12; Ps 109:6; Zec 3:1). It was also the unprotected side, because the shield was carried on the left arm: hence, the point of danger and honor. The right hand is also the side of power and strength (Ps 60:5; 63:8; 108:6; 118:15,16; 110:1; Mt 22:44; Mt 20:21,23). Both hands are mentioned together in the sense of close proximity, intimate association, in Mk 10:37.”

The Lone Ranger and Tonto are camping in the desert, set up their tent, and are asleep. Some hours later, The Lone Ranger wakes his faithful friend.
“Tonto, look up and tell me what you see.”
Tonto replies, “Me see millions of stars.”
“What does that tell you?” asks The Lone Ranger.
Tonto ponders for a minute.
“Astronomically speaking, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets.
Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo.
Time wise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three.
Theologically, it’s evident the Lord is all powerful and we are small and insignificant.
Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.
What it tell you, Kemo Sabi?”
The Lone Ranger is silent for a moment, then speaks.
“Tonto, you Dumb Hoss, someone has stolen our tent.”

“I am the Lord your God. Alexander Cameron, give me an account of your life according to my laws.”

“Lord, I did my best and and led an exemplary life. I tried to help people in some way almost every day. I did  a lot of other good things - I’m, sure you know all about them. I fucked up, a lot. No, really. A lot. Out of interest, does Heaven work run on Windows or Linux? Where’s the library? That’s probably not appropriate right now i know. Nice to meet you by the way. Is nan around?”

“Alexander, have you ever lied?”
“I tried to tell the truth all the time and was almost always honest.”
“Alexander, have you ever lied?”
“Yes, Lord. I have lied.”
“Alexander, what do you call a person who lies?”
“A liar, Lord.”
“Alexander, what does my word say about liars?”
“It says that all liars will be sent to the other place, Lord.”

“Alexander, have you ever taken anything that is not yours?”
“Lord, You know that I am an honest person.”
“Alexander, have you ever taken something that belonged to someone else?”
“Yes, Lord.”
“Alexander, what do you call someone who takes something that belongs to another?”
“A thief, Lord. I am a thief.”
“Alexander, what does my word say about thieves?”
“It says that no thieves will enter here, Lord.”

“Alexander, have you ever wanted something that belonged to someone else?”
“Yes, Lord.”
“Alexander, what does my word say about people who want things that belong to others?
“It says they are coveting, Lord”
“Alexander, what does my word say will happen to those who covet?”
“It says that no covetous people will enter here, Lord.”

“Alexander, have you ever killed anybody?”
“Of course not, Lord.”
“Alexander, have you ever hated anybody?”
“Oh yes, Lord.”
“Alexander, what does my word say about people who hate others?”
“It says that they are guilty of murder in their heart.”
“Alexander, what does that make you?”
“I’m a murderer, Lord.”

“Alexander, have you ever called anybody a fool?”
“Yes, Lord, a lot, but they were all really fucking stupid and deserved it. Why did you make so many dumb people?”
“Alexander, what does my word say about people who call others a fool?”
“It says that we are not to judge and they shall be guilty enough to go to the other place.”

“Alexander, have you ever committed adultery?”
“Absolutely not, Lord.”
“Alexander, have you ever lusted after a woman when you were committed to another?”
“Yes, Lord but i didn’t do anything about it.”
“Alexander, what does my word say about those who lust like that?”
“It says that he has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
“Alexander, what does that make you?”
“I am an adulterer, Lord.”
“Alexander, what does my word say will happen to adulterers?”
“It says that no adulterers will enter here, Lord.”

“Alexander Cameron, are you ready for me to pronounce sentence?”
“Wait, Lord. What about all the good things I have done? Can i not be admitted and all this written off because of the good? Have i not earned my place? Does it not matter how many good things i have done?”
“Alexander, are you pleading not guilty and saying you did not do these things?”
“No, Lord. I am guilty.”

I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No. I give you blessings; happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No. I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I asked God to help me love others, as much as He loves me.
God said, Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.





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