Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
This morning I was tempted to dive right in and write about how I love these verses. They are so beautiful. Instead, for some reason I was moved to type out the whole passage. Taking the time to type each verse forced me to look at and think about each one. I realized we can look at the passage as a whole, or look at any individual verse to find comfort. Remembering Pastor Gil’s scripture lesson from yesterday, I know God is in control, and everything ultimately is intended for our happiness. But war, mourning, weeping and tearing down certainly are not happy times for us. We know there will be those times. God has the big picture. This includes our “before“ and our “after“ this earth. God has promised us life with Him forever. Life will have its glorious and its intolerably difficult parts. God does not want us to be discouraged, ever.
Father God, I know you are in control. You are helping me every time I ask, and even when I don’t ask. Things will happen which cause pain, and I will need your love and strength to keep everything in perspective. I am thankful you are there for me. Amen
Becky, transforming
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. We are blessed, I think, to live in an area of the country that has four distinct seasons. I remember Pastor Gil speaking of this difference in his life. During his time in Singapore, he said they have two seasons, hot and not as hot! At our celebration gathering Friday evening, Hillside gave Pastor Gil a framed photo showing Hillside church in the four seasons. Our time together has been short and made even shorter by the pandemic. We have learned so much from him that we will move into our next season stronger in faith. Prayer: Gracious God may we welcome the first season of Pastor Jennifer savo…
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 Sooner or later everything in our life will change. The only thing that does not change is God’s timing for these changes in our lives. Right now we are facing a change in our pastoral leadership. We have to adapt to this change as it is a sight of spiritual maturity. We will count on God to be with us , to place our trust in his timing. Sometimes changes are exciting and full of joy, other times they will be difficult and painful. In these times we keep our thoughts on God, we will make it through these changes without worry or becoming fearful . God is changeless. The same yesterday and today and tomorrow. He n…
Ecclesiastes 3:1 - “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”
As I write, movers are packing the Lee family’s belongings into a truck and Pastor Gil, Hannah, Grace and Daniel will soon be on the road to Portland. Their short tenure with us has been memorable and fruitful and I pray for an even more impactful ministry in the future. Pastor Savoy’s season has come. Let us all work diligently together to promote her pastorate and new life as a shepherd of a community of faith.
Prayer - God of change, bless the Lee family as they embark on a new chapter in their adopted country and begin to expand their ministry. Bless…
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8
There is a time for everything
David and I were discussing the news this morning and how awful it must be to say good-bye to a child as they go out with their friends and never return home. We had heard about a death of a 15 year old boy in Bedford, NH. We also discussed how closely in our lives we have come close to death in one way or another, but that God did not want to take us then. God works on His own terms. Sometimes we question the hardships He sends our way, but in the end these challenges strengthen us. God has His plan and as we walk with Him we will…