What kind of King?

Our passage from Ecclesiastes today fits in very well with our overall theme as a Christian Church. Today is known as Christ the King Sunday and we obviously celebrate the Lordship of Jesus, as well as the end of the liturgical calendar. With the benefit of hindsight and thousands of years of history we slowly comprehend that Jesus came as a different kind of King. The world has a picture of what lordship looks like, which is why many people took a while before they understood that Jesus was the King of Kings.

"I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.

The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded
than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but one sinner destroys much good." - Ecclesiastes 9:13-18

Let us not miss our king of Kings this year. Of all the years, 2020 is the time we need to get on bended knee and admit we are in need of a Saviour-King.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

War and Peace

 "...a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace." - Ecclesiastes 3:8

I am often tempted to only read Ecclesiastes 3 from my personal point of view. However, when I do this I come to readings like v.8 and then get stumped. I think to myself, "I haven't waged war on anyone and I don't really want to hate anyone." Of course, we can interpret Solomon's words in a way of being at peace/war with our friends, family or community - and there are plenty of opportunities for us to experience both extremes in one lifetime.

On the other hand, Solomon reminds us that war, peace, love and hate will all occur at some point in our lifetime. We may not choose these options or even have control over them, but when you have lived long enough, you recognise these things have taken place. If I think back over my life, I have witnessed all of these at some point - not all on a personal level, but globally and in our own country. 

Seasons come and go with our consent and without it. I believe my role is to submit to the Lordship of Jesus and to trust that God will guide me through all the seasons and times I have to face. Without God in my life I would be overwhelmed with a sense of hopelessness, especially when things happen around me.

Does that make any sense to you?

"“We can know only that we know nothing. And that is the highest degree of human wisdom.” - Leo Tolstoy (War  and Peace)

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A time to count our losses

This year has been a year like no other! We have gone through highs and lows - and then more highs and more lows. The roller-coaster ride has been hectic. One of the things we have tried to focus on is the IMPORTANT things in our lives. It has been a time of soul-searching and deep reflection. Perhaps if Solomon had been alive in 2020, he would have written the same words he penned thousands of years ago:

"A time to gain, 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." (Ecclesiastes 3:6-7)

These words in the modern paraphrase are written so well. Eugene Peterson has a gift with words - he says:

A right time to search and another to count your losses,
A right time to hold on and another to let go,
A right time to rip out and another to mend,
A right time to shut up and another to speak up,

What are some of the things you have had to let go of this year?

What things have you mended?

Have you managed to speak at the appropriate times and then remain silent at others?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Cycles and Seasons

The 3rd chapter of Ecclesiastes is arguably the most well known passage from this collection of wisdom. It is recited at funerals, before new adventures, at opening ceremonies and even at weddings. Solomon muses over the fact that God seems to give us cycles in our lives. We call these cycles "seasons" and if we live long enough, we come to recognise that these moments come and go.  

"For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.

A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up." - Ecclesiastes 3:1-3

The knowledge of these seasons/cycles could make us depressed, but they could also have a wonderful tone of hope for us. Think about going through a difficult season in your life (and maybe some of us are experiencing this today) - the good news is that this will not last forever. The cycle of our lives will move us into better times. 

Just as those people who hate the winter seasons (as an example), know that the weather will change in time and they can enjoy longer days of sunshine. What keeps these people strong, is the knowledge that seasons DO change.

Perhaps the danger for us is in doubting the existence of God during these tougher cycles in our lives. It is important for us to be at Peace, trusting that the Lord will move us from one season into the the next.

What do you think about this?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A prayer for Spring

As we enter into this new season of Spring, it is wonderful to be reminded of new beginnings, second chances and hope. I have put together a lovely little prayer with pictures for you to enjoy. Please click on this link for the Spring Prayer and you are welcome to share with anyone who may enjoy it.

Remember that God is in the business of re-creating and bringing us back from the wilderness.

God bless you.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Seasons

What season of life are you in at the moment?
What season of Spirituality are you currently in?

Just as the weather patterns move us through different seasons in a year, so we must accept that our lives (and faith) move through seasons too. Of course, each season will mean different things for different people and that is okay.

For example, here in the Western Cape, our current season is Winter, which brings with it rain, wind and cold! Some people love this time of the year as it means a time to stay indoors, read, get warm and reflect. Other people hate this weather, as it makes them depressed, grumpy and wet. Each to their own, but we realise that we can't control the seasons - we just need to embrace them and enjoy (or endure) them.

So, when it come to our faith, I feel we need to apply the same reasoning. Some seasons come upon us without warning and we wish that they hadn't. We need to turn to God during the tough seasons and hold on for the promise of a better season. God is all these times.

Seasons will change, but God remains the same.

Psalm 104:19 - "He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down."

Living in Grace
D3LM3

The beginning of Winter

In the Southern Hemisphere, the 1st June marks the official beginning of Winter. It is the start of 3 months of longer nights, shorter days and cooler weather - which for us means around 22-24 degrees in the day time :)

Just as our year goes through seasons, it is good to be reminded today, that our spiritual lives also go through seasons too. We sometimes feel as if we are really connecting with Jesus and it may have the feeling of a glorious summer or spring day. However, the day nights of winter, can easily wrap around our spiritual lives and make us feel lethargic, tired and even depressed. If this is the case for you at the moment, can I encourage you not to try and avoid the season, but rather to live through it.

Ask God to show you what he has planned for you in this time and be open to the grace of God - even if it feels like a bleak winter.

Genesis 8:22 -  For as long as Earth lasts, planting and harvest, cold and heat, Summer and winter, day and night will never stop.”

Psalm 147:12-18 -  Jerusalem, worship God! Zion, praise your God! He made your city secure, he blessed your children among you. He keeps the peace at your borders, he puts the best bread on your tables. He launches his promises earthward— how swift and sure they come! He spreads snow like a white fleece, he scatters frost like ashes, He broadcasts hail like birdseed— who can survive his winter? Then he gives the command and it all melts; he breathes on winter—suddenly it’s spring!

Living in Grace
D3LM3

In every Season

This weekend has been a tough one for our family and we thank you for your prayers, care and support. In many ways the year since Barry's death has passed slowly and we have felt every 'bump' along the road. On the other hand, one also reflects on the many changes in our lives and we realise that 365 days have flown by.

Regardless of time, we have come to understand that God is with us in every season of our lives. Loss, pain and mourning, just happen to be part of our season right now, but we know that God is still with us. We will carry precious memories with us, even as we slowly move into the next season God has in store for us.

As Hillsong says:

"All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship." - (Desert Song)

Solomon learnt this same truth, thousands of years before us. He reflected on this, in his now famous words:

1 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. (Ecclesiastes 3)

May you come to believe and understand that God is with you - in every season of your life.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Changing weather, changing moods

This weather we are experiencing at the moment is soooo strange. One day it is nice and hot, the next it is raining again. Some mornings I don't even open the curtains expecting sun anymore!
So, I totally understand how people's moods are impacted by the weather and seasons. In truth, S.A.D (seasonal affective disorder) is common in Northern Hemisphere climates, but it could become a real issue in our own country soon.

The challenging thing for 'followers of Jesus' is that we shouldn't let our moods impact upon how we follow Christ. We should follow him, despite how we feel. It is hard to practise, but it is something we should endeavour to live out.

How do you feel about that? Let me know your thoughts please.

David Matthew Click -  “No matter how dark the night, somehow the sun rises once again and all shadows are chased away”

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Beginning or end?

Waiting for my parents flight to land today, I was reminded of the different
seasons of our lives. For them, the landing of the plane signified the end of
an awesome holiday. It marks the return to routine and the 'normality' of
life. However, there are other people waiting in the same airport getting ready
to begin a new season of their lives. Their flights will open up new
chapters and memories.

The same happens to us, albeit not in the airport. Every day marks the
beginning or end of a chapter of our lives. Whichever season you are in
remember that God is with you always and in every situation.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Today

I have been reminded again of the urgency of 'the moment.' It came via a blogpost from Seth Godin. In his post he quotes these monumental words from Martin Luther King Jnr.

"We are now faced with the fact, my friends, that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked, and dejected with a lost opportunity. The tide in the affairs of men does not remain at flood -- it ebbs. We may cry out desperately for time to pause in her passage, but time is adamant to every plea and rushes on. Over the bleached bones and jumbled residues of numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words, "Too late."

Wow, wow, wow!

The Scriptures say this in a similar way:

Hebrews 4:7 - "God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

Do it NOW!

Living in Grace,
D3LM3