ECCLESIASTES 3
A Time for Everything
1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven: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,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.Daily Response: What is your favorite line from this passage?
Kimberly Blackadar 
As I have gotten older with many choices to make today and for the rest of my life, I can say my favorite scripture verse is: “6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,”
Darlene,
I agree with you. Those are very meaningful verses. I also like ” a time to be silent and a time to speak.” As I have gotten older, I have realized the importance of listening.
Darlene, that was also my choice…getting older makes me think of what is truly valuable in my life these days…minimalism comes to mind…haha.
I love it all, so it’s hard to choose a favorite line. I’d have to say this one though:
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance
This is one of my favorite passages, Beverly. I posted it last year and will post it every year I showcase poetry on my blog. It is full of beautiful lines! Have a great day. I hope you find time to “laugh” and “dance,” my friend!
My choice as well, Beverly…it helps me know that in times of sadness there will be a time of laughter again, as well.
Always been partialed to: “a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain”
My all-time favorite Bible passage is the story of the Centurion who petitioned Jesus to mend his servant, by simply saying the word.
Here’s my version:
THE CENTURION
©Robert C Burnham
robert21167@earthlink.net
You were in the employ of Pilate
And you served a Roman horde
You killed many men in battle
And defeated rebel discord
Your reputation built on muscle
Your brain followed your brawn
In the face of bitter conflict
Your sword was the first drawn
Your assignment was Jerusalem
To keep all the Jews at bay
Your men honored and feared you
And would do whatever you say
You could tell one man ‘go there’
And he’d be off on a trot
Summoning another to ‘come here’
Would fetch you what you sought
You heard the stories of a man
You thought very much like you
A leader assuredly among all men
Someone whose word was true
Although this man of lowly birth
Walked and spoke of peace
You saw greatness within his stride
That even Caesar could not repeat
You heard the stories of his miracles
And how he supposedly raised the dead
While all the rest of Rome scoffed
You chose to believe instead
And so upon one fateful day
When your precious servant became ill
You told this man ‘You can make him well
If it just be your will’
Upon your faith, Lord Jesus smiled
Though you were Roman He did not turn
He commended you in front of all
A lesson I still learn
“To all Jerusalem I make known
This man’s faith is greater than thee
He is not known as one of us
But in me he doth believe
Come, Roman, I will heal your slave
Let us go and make him well”
You replied with tears in his eye
“My home is not worthy of you pray tell
But Teacher you just say the word
And my servant, he shall heal!”
And with this unbridled show of faith
You bowed before God and kneeled.
Robert,
This poem is exceptional. I look forward to posting another one of your poems on Easter.
WOW, Robert…what a beautiful and uplifting poem of that incredible occasion…a man of authority humbly succumbs to the absolute authority of Jesus, the Son of man and the Son of God !!
The first line strikes me the most as the all-encompassing truth : 1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
It speaks to me of the absolute sovereignty of God…luck, fate, karma, don’t exist in my mind.
I love verse 4 and 6 as individual truths. Thank you for sharing a passage that is so dear to you, Kimberly. It is one the most memorable passages of life in this broken world.
Marianne, I used to teach this passage when I was a teacher. Truly beautiful verse!