“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.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Our time is our life. How we invest our time determines to a large degree what our life will be. King Solomon reminds us there is a time for everything. Paul reminds us, “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise. Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:16-17). Use your time and in turn your life wisely! There are no “do-overs” in the use of today. It’s a gift – that’s why we call it the present. It’s really all we have – yesterday is gone and tomorrow is yet to be. Make the most of every opportunity God brings your way to bless others today.

This week I had the privilege and opportunity to assist Bishop Hayes in serving Holy Communion to our Oklahoma Pastors. I was blessed to hear him preach a message called Success of Significance. He made the point that too often in life we pursue success – in whatever our work world is – to the detriment of any real significance in our life. We may obtain the “trappings” of worldly success, but in itself it leaves us feeling empty and unfulfilled. He suggested that if we pursue significance in this life in terms of building quality relationships with family and friends (maybe even some enemies! - my personal comments), we may in turn discover that success often follows significance.

This week our backyard neighbors moved out of state. They had lived in our neighborhood for 2 ½ years. We had prayed for them, invited them to cul-de-sac gatherings at our home and visited occasionally on the sidewalk in front of our house.
They had also broken one of our sprinkler heads (and repaired it) and our dog bit their little “princess” dog and we paid significantly for that! They also volunteered this year to help us with The Marathon in the dining room. We were neighbors for a relatively short while. They had no church home. We went to say “good-bye” and there was sadness. Not for the relationship we had, but the one we wish we had. We wish we had made more of a difference in their life for Christ. We wish we had inconvenienced ourselves more to enter their world, but we were too busy doing other “important” things. He shook my hand and she gave me a slight hug. Robin sent them off with treats for the road and a card noting our prayers. Life is short my friends. Eternity is long. Come join us beginning Sept. 14 as we discover how to become truly contagious Christians in the very best sense of the word. It’s time for the First Church family to go well beyond our walls to spread the love of Jesus with others! Buy you participant’s guide this week and begin now to pray for our time together.

In reference to my former neighbors, I am encouraged by the words of Paul, “I planted the seed, Apollo watered it, but God made it grow.” I pray we planted some seeds in their lives that God will use to make a difference for eternity. God is good!

See you this Sunday!

In His Love,

Pastor Mark