Pastor's Devotions by Tim Harris

It seems that just about every fall we have at least one big storm that excels the falling of the leaves. Today was that day. Thankfully, here in the US Northeast we did not experience a hurricane as did Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and other parts of the Caribbean. (Let’s be sure to pray for the people there and give towards their recovery.) We did, however, have our share of rain, wind, and falling leaves.  We woke up to find the morning was a bit grey and damp. Throughout the morning the wind began to substantially pick up. And then early this afternoon, the skies opened up. By the end of the day, the roads were flooded, branches were strewn across the lawns, and the trees looked a bit more bare than they did earlier in the day. For sure, we had our share of rain, wind, and falling leaves.  What we experienced today—the rain, wind, and falling leaves—seems to me to be quite a picture of the way life can be. You wake up one morning and things just seem a little more grey—i.e., some...

As you may or may not know, since retiring from the pastorate, I have begun a new journey, a new career—a new life you might say. I have entered the world of personal training. Currently, I am jump starting my own business, “Second Wind Personal Training.” And I am working at a local gym, “The Fort Athletic Club.”   Of course, it is for me quite a different environment than what I have been used to. For the first time in over 40 years I am working outside of the confines of a church.  I’m now working with a team of trainers who are, for the most part, in their 20’s and 30’s (that makes me quite a bit older than them!), all of whom are in excellent shape—i.e., fit and strong (which of course challenges me!) And, I’m working with clients, most of whom are in their 50’s and 60’s (which is a perfect fit for me), trying to help them reach their fitness goals. Thankfully, everyone I’m working with has been very kind, respectful, encouraging, and helpful, which makes it all a bi...

A couple of weeks ago, Kim and I were treated to the fanciest and most expensive restaurant we have ever been to. Some friends of ours gave us a gift card to a Michelin star restaurant right on Central Park south. At first, Kim and I wondered how in the world we could spend the amount of money on the gift card for one meal. Once we saw the menu we understood how!   That night we had a caprese salad that was made with burrata cheese and chunks of lobster. The garlic bread was topped with burrata and caviar. One pasta included shrimp and the other grilled octopus. Kim’s scallops and my halibut were cooked to perfection and served in a way that was far beyond what we had ever experienced. And I can’t even begin to describe the tiramisu. Best of all, one of the chefs was a young man who was part of the church we had pastored a few years ago in Queens. Chef Dan kept on sending out extras to our table such that, we ended up with close to twice as much food as we had actually ordered...

As most of you know, for so many years I was the senior pastor of the churches I served. That meant, one might say, “being in charge.” I was the one leading the services, leading staff, leadership, and board meetings. It meant setting the course and giving instructions, direction, and correction. Now, however, I find myself in a very different position.   It struck me the other day as I sat in a meeting for all the trainers at the gym where I have begun to work part-time. The training manager had called us together for our monthly meeting. Now I was on the other side listening to her give instructions, direction, and correction. She was the one setting the course. I was now in a place I had not been in for so many years. And I won’t say that it didn’t feel a little tough.  But can you imagine what would have happened if in that meeting I decided that I wanted to be the leader? Can you imagine what it would have been like if I had tried to take over the meeting and give my...