Wow, August sure went by fast. You can feel it in the air, seasons are changing. We can often feel seasons changing in our personal lives as well. It certainly is the case in my life.
My Mom went home to be with the Lord on 8/18/2011. There's a memorial service for her at her church in Florida tomorrow and we'll be having a celebration of her life service at our Mosaic Campus on Sept. 12th at 7pm.
Even though it was in their later years, I am incredibly grateful that both my parents came to know the LORD before leaving the planet. I have so much to thank God for! I can't imagine going through the hard seasons of life and not having the faith and hope that we Christians have been given through our faith in Christ.
We definitely do not grieve like the rest of the world: 1 Thes. 4:13: "And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died
so you will not grieve like people who have no hope."
One season of my life has ended, but another one has already begun. In November, our first grandchild will be born. One life has ended and another is about to begin. My son has lost his grandmother, but he has gained a daughter. Seasons continue to change for all of us.
Such is the duality of our lives. One life leaves, and yet a new life comes. One family has passed away, yet another family has been born.
Seasons change, lives change, it's the circle of life. Like the lyrics from the song "Blessed Be Your Name;" say "He gives and takes away. My heart will choose to say. Lord, blessed be Your Name!"
Trusting in the LORD is a wonderful place to be! It doesn't mean we don't grieve or feel sad or get scared at times. But it does mean we do experience an incredible peace, even in the midst of the greatest storms of our lives. It's hard to understand how we could, and even harder to explain to others, it's just the amazing blessing of being "in Christ."
A brand new season is coming for BHCC as well. I think all of us can feel it. The wind is blowing. Things are swirling around and there is much excitement in the air! August was one of our highest attendance months on record. Despite the usual summer lull, we have been growing exponentially! God is building and expanding our family at BHCC and many positive things are happening as a result.
Yup, seasons change. Time stands still for no one. Reminds me of a scripture:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
What is it time for in your life? Time to get 'serious' about your faith? Time to find a church family? Time to begin actively serving the LORD? Time to let go of the past? Time to start a new season in your life?
I pray that your new season in life is a Time to search, plant, heal, mend, build up, gather together, love, embrace and make everlasting peace with your LORD! Amen! :-)