A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

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 from embracing,

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.

- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

If you’re from my generation you just might remember a popular tune song by the Byrds called "Turn! Turn! Turn!" The song was adapted entirely from the Book of Ecclesiastes (with the exception of the last line of the song) and put to music in 1959 by Pete Seeger. It became an international hit in late 1965, when it reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. The Seekers also recorded the song for their 1966 album, Georgy Girl (one of my fav’s). And nearly three decades after the Byrds released the song as a single, the recording was featured in the 1994 movie, Forrest Gump.  I think it’s safe to say that the song definitely holds the record as the “#1 song with the oldest lyrics.” Just think how many people sang the words of scripture without even knowing it. My first thought was “Oh, how God must have rejoiced,” but when I thought more about it I realized how sad it must have made Him - to know that the words were spoken (sung) but not necessarily understood.

There are many verses in the Bible that tell us about the importance of reading and understanding God’s word. Here are just a few...

☮ “The word of God is full of living power.” - Hebrews 4:12

☮ “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.” - Psalm 119:105

☮ “This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is changing lives everywhere, just as it changed yours.” - Colossians 1:6

☮ “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” - Psalm 119:11

☮ “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” - Ephesians 6:17

☮ “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” – John 1:1

Thinking back on Ecclesiastes 3, we are told that “there is a time for everything.” As we go through the different seasons and journeys in our life, God knows the plans for each second of our day and His Word can direct our path. Why not use this Lenten season to grow deeper in His Word?

Listen to the Bryds sing the beautiful words of scripture found in Ecclesiastes 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4ga_M5Zdn4&feature=related

It’s Friday, Let’s Sparkle... action required...  Speaking of “a time for everything,” Daylight Savings Time begins this weekend. So on Sunday, March 13, 2011, set your clocks forward one hour at 2:00 a.m. (Arizona and Hawaii are the only states that do not currently participate in the twice-yearly time change.) And while you’re at it, why not call a neighbor or friend and remind them to change their clocks too. It might just be the “perfect time” to invite a friend to church. Wouldn’t it be great if instead of having people missing from the pews because they forgot to change their clocks, the churches could be packed with people who not only arrived on time but brought some visitors with them! “There’s a time to invite and a time to sleep in”... which one will you choose?

This week I will be praying that the God who created all time and seasons will help you desire to “sparkle” in ways that will share the Good News!

God’s Peace, Donna Weaver

“The Future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of

sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.”

- C.S. Lewis