Monday, October 26 2026
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Ecclesiastes 3:1-8-To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: 2 A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; 3 A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; 7 A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; 8 A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.
In the last couple of days, I have journeyed to Moundsville, West Virginia.
The reason for my visit was twofold. First, to attend some of the annual lectureship program of the West Virginia School Of Preaching (from which I graduated in 2001). Second, to stop at bookstores between Kentucky, West Virginia, and Ohio in an attempt to sell some of my books and magazines.
But I want to tell you about an event that took place which is still impacting my thoughts.
On the way to Moundsville, I stopped at a restaurant in the nearby town of New Martinsville. Incidentally, this is the town where I was raised as a child. In this particular restaurant, the owners have decorated the walls with pictures of high school students from years gone by, spanning several decades. As I walked through the establishment on my way to a table, I had to stop and look at some of the pictures. I experienced a strange feeling as I stopped and observed those photographs.
Within those pictures, preserved in moments of time, were so many individuals. Each had his or her own unique story, family, experiences, and background that helped to mold who they were, who they became, and where they went.
How many had been born in that small West Virginia town?
How many still lived there?
How many have gone on to other areas of the country…or the world?
How many have passed into eternity?
Did our paths ever cross?
In what ways did our personal stories intersect and affect others?
During this, I met a gentleman who was a lifelong resident of New Martinsville. As we ate, we talked for about an hour of years gone by, of present situations, of family, of people we had known.
We discussed a friend of mine from high school who had taken his life when I was a sophomore.
He told me about a young man I had known who had died in a horrific car accident some years after I moved away.
I told him about my parents and my brother, and about ministry as a Gospel preacher in the beautiful state of Kentucky.
We spoke of the Lord, of days gone by, of people alive and dead, of sports, and of schools, and of churches.
Memories of 9-11, of the Washington Sniper, of Covid, of so many other things.
As I was preparing to leave, I was reminded of a scene from the movie Star Trek: The Search For Spock. In the previous movie, one of the heroes of the Star Trek universe, Spock, had heroically and nobly given his life to save his friends. On top of that, we were introduced to Kirk’s son, David, who was unaware that Kirk was his father. Then, suddenly Spock was dead, David was gone again, and Kirk is left alone!
It had a profound impact on Captain Kirk, and in the beginning of the third movie, we find the Captain making a ship’s log.
He says this:
“And Enterprise feels like a house with all the children gone. No, more empty even than that.”
In a way, that is how this brief visit has felt to me.
Lately, I have become very much aware that the number of days ahead for me are likely fewer then the days behind.
Looking at my life, I see seasons that are completed and finished.
Once, this thought would have filled me with sadness.
Yet now I look at those days with gratitude and awe at the God Who has brought me through everything that I have faced (both good and bad).
Ephesians 5:15 (TPT)-So be very careful how you live, not being like those with no understanding, but live honorably with true wisdom, for we are living in evil times. Take full advantage of every day as you spend your life for his purposes.
I am excited about what the unknown future holds, knowing that He Who walks with me each step of the way will never leave me or forsake me.
What grand adventures still await?!
And when the time is right, and my work on this good Earth is finished, the weight of these present moments will give way to the greatest adventure of all: the beauty of Heaven!
The home prepared by our Savior.
Ecclesiastes 3:11-He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
John 14:1-3-Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Say friend, is Heaven your home too?
To those who are not Christians, God’s Word bids you come to Jesus so that you can have that promised land when your pilgrimage here is finished.
Acts 2:38-Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
If you are a baptized Christian who has turned from the Lord in sin, come back to Him!
1 John 1:9-If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Let’s follow Jesus together, and look forward to those mansions He is building.
Lord, thank You for loving us and for the plan of salvation. Help us to humble ourselves and follow where Your Word leads. Amen.
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