Seasons Change

      A Time and Season        

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace."

                                          Eccl 3:1-8 NRSV

 

There is a time and season for every purpose under the sun. Every spring and fall I look for the trumpeter swans to spend a few days in the river behind the house as they make their seasonal journey either north or south. For the last two years, pelicans have also made this a place to spend a day or two. The sight of them brings me much joy.

Every season brings change. Some of the changes are most pleasing like welcoming back the trumpeter swans. Other changes are not quite so pleasing. Even as the natural world around us changes, so do we. We change with time. We grow older; hopefully, we grow wiser. And, even more hopefully, with each season of life's experiences and challenges, we grow closer to the Lord.

Our journey through the wilderness of this world can be quite a challenge. We have good times and bad. Know that whatever befalls you, the Lord is with you in every time and season.

God's Peace - Pr. J

2 Chronicles 32 - Water of Life

Hezekiah's strategy includes cutting of the Assyrians from an element that is essential to life:  water.  Lots to be said regarding today's chapter, but thought, instead, to share some scripture regarding the water of life that Jesus gives to us.

"...but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”  John 4:14 NIV

"He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life."  Rev 21:6

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb." Rev 22:1

"The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life."  Rev 22:17

Water is essential to life and Jesus offers to you the water that will refresh you for all eternity.  Drink of this spring of living water, that you might live life refreshed in the knowledge and presence of God for all eternity (beginning even today!)...

A note on Hezekiah...  He was faithful, yet, even his ego got a grip on him for a time.  What did he do when this happened?  He repented and God forgave him.  He rested with the descendents of David who followed in the ways of the LORD.