Pastor's Devotions by Tim Harris

This weekend many will have a three-day weekend, receiving Monday off in order to celebrate Labor Day.   The day is meant to honor “ the  American labor movement  and the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity,  laws  and well-being of the country.” (Wikipedia) For most people, the day signifies the official end of the summer and is a reason for a day off from work.  Although I understand and appreciate the reason for the day, I really don’t like the word “labor” in its name.  Think about it: the word labor rarely has a positive connotation.   It is one thing to say you are “going to work.”   It is another thing to say you are going to “labor.”   In fact, in the Bible the word is rarely used in a positive way.   When man was created and placed in the Garden of Eden he was told to “work it and take care of it.”   (Genesis 2:15)   The word for “work” implies receiving a return equal to or greater than one’s investment of time, energy, and ef

Tomorrow I turn 59.   Do you know what that means? I’m one year older than 58 and one year shy of 60! I know, many people say age is just a number.   And, maybe that’s true in some ways. But, I think age is more than just a number.   Age is a representation of the years that have gone by. One’s age gives a hint as to the depth and breadth of one’s life experiences—and, hopefully the number of lessons learned. One’s age speaks of the years one has lived succeeding, failing, enjoying, and sorrowing. If you think about it, so much is wrapped up in that one little number.   Do you remember what it was like when you were young (maybe some of you still are!)?   Time seemed to go by so slowly.   Everyone even just a few years older than you, seemed to be so much older.   Thirty seemed ancient!   You thought you would live forever.   And, for many of us the real joys and sorrows of life had not yet affected us. What we call “life experience” was yet far in the distance.   Af

I know that someone might think, “Oh no! He’s writing about that bird feeder again!” But, now that I have bought a “squirrel proof” bird feeder (which actually does work), I can watch the birds come to the feeder in the morning and evening and enjoy seeing them eat in peace.   It’s truly been quite entertaining and even relaxing to see the variety of birds that show up; to sit and watch them eat and flutter about.   I’m amazed, however, how much birdseed the birds actually eat!   I expected to fill the feeder about every 3-4 days.   It’s more like every other day, if not sooner!   So, about every other morning, just after putting my coffee on to drip, I go out to feed “my birds!”   In some ways, they have become like pets for which I feel responsible. Even though I know that they will survive very well without my help, I sense an obligation to keep the bird feeder full.   Sometimes, as I’m filling it up I even begin to talk to the birds saying things like, “Here comes

--> Right now I’m down in Arlington, Virginia to help our son Nathaniel move into his new apartment as he prepares to begin his grad school career.   Of course, it’s a lot of work—as anyone who has ever moved knows.   Yesterday, we picked up a nine-foot cargo van. I thought it would be big enough for the amount of stuff we had to transport. (We also had my SUV and Nathaniel’s car coming down.) Well, the cargo van was barely big enough.   Somehow the amount of furniture and boxes and bags grew overnight, or even as we were packing.   I found myself putting together a puzzle as I tried to make everything fit, using every corner and inch of the van and our other vehicles.   Miraculously, we got it all in!   Then last night we took the drive down here to Arlington. This morning he will get his keys to the apartment.   Then we will spend much of the day moving that very same furniture and those same boxes and bags into the apartment.   It will be a busy day. By the end o