Pastor's Devotions by Tim Harris

This year, Kim decided to plant some vegetables and herbs in large pots on our deck.   Our son Jonathan had begun the process by planting the seeds in starter pots in his apartment and then bringing them to us as seedlings. After they grew a little larger, Kim transplanted them to the larger pots. At first we weren’t sure if they were going to take—and, some did not.   Others of them, however, took off growing like crazy! Kim has been diligent in watering them and doing what she can for them.   But, the future for these vegetables and herbs is yet uncertain.   For one, it seems that there is an animal that likes the leaves of the cucumber plants and has stripped them practically bear (while leaving the zucchini plants alone!).   We are as well concerned that while we are away on vacation, the plants may not receive enough water, especially if another heat wave comes.   Finally, even if the plants do continue to grow well, we are still not sure whether or not they will produce heal

This week, Kim and I have been “dog sitting” for a family in our church. Their dog is a French bulldog named Arnie.   Arnie is definitely a people dog. He loves his family, and I’m sure miss them a lot.   But in their absence, Arnie has taken well to being with us; in fact, he always wants to be with one of us. So, he continually follows us around the house—sitting at our feet, at times getting in our way, sometimes waiting at the bottom of the steps to the second floor until we come down (he doesn’t do steps!), going in and out of the backyard along with us, etc.   This past Monday I spent much of the day working around the house, mostly outside in our yard.   As I worked in the backyard (which is fenced in), Arnie would move from spot to spot with me. And, when I went out to the front of the house, Arnie would sit at the gate, peering through, waiting for me to come back in.   When I went into the house for lunch, Arnie came in right behind me. When I went back out, Arnie follow

After almost two years of searching, Kim has landed a permanent job.   She will be working as the administrative assistant to the director of a church-run pre-school/daycare in Metuchen, NJ (actually at the Assembly of God church there!).   This is very good news for us—especially for Kim.   After all, it had become quite tiresome for her as she filled out tons of applications, went on interviews, and did all those things associated with a job hunt.   Anyone who has been through the process recently, knows it can be stressful and at times quite discouraging.    Since moving to Monmouth County to pastor Shrewsbury First Assembly, we have been praying that God would provide just the right job for Kim.   After all, it was hard for her to leave her job in North Jersey where she knew the people and the systems and loved the environment in which she was working.   We have been praying that God would put her in a place that would provide for our needs, use her skills, and be the right wo