Pastor's Devotions by Tim Harris

Here in the Northeast, we’ve experienced some drastic changes in our weather this week. For a couple of days it was sunny and warm, up to almost 80 degrees, giving us a taste of what is to come. Yesterday however, the temperatures plunged throughout the day by almost 40 degrees, taking us down into the low 30’s. Not only that, but for a couple of hours it was snowing! Thankfully the snow didn’t stick. But this morning, in spite of the sun shining, the temperatures were once again below freezing. I guess, that’s the month of March for you!  I think we would all agree, the weather is not the only thing within our lives that can quickly change.  One day life feels warm and sunny, everything seems to be going so well; the next day the clouds roll in and a chill takes over our bodies and souls. We move through various seasons within our lives that bring about all kinds of change—some that may be expected, some that catches us off guard. And as life changes, we reach for those thing...

After my spinal surgery three weeks ago, I was emphatically told “NO BLT’s!”  I know what you’re thinking: Why can’t you eat a BLT after spinal surgery? Well that’s not what it means. Rather the instruction is, “No bending, lifting, or twisting.” And that is easier said than done.  Think of all the times during your day when you have to bend down or lift something or twist your body.  There’s something on the floor that you need to pick up so you just naturally bend down to get it. You want to move that bag of bird seed or dog food, so you lift it and carry it to where you need it to be. You hear something or someone behind you so you twist your body to see what or whom it is. Probably hundreds of times a day we bend, lift, and twist!  So as you can imagine, it has been quite a challenge for me to follow the doctor’s orders. I need to constantly remind myself to use the “grabber” as I call it, to pick up what I just dropped. I have to tell myself, “Don’t lift that ba...

I think you would agree that we live in a culture that wants it—i.e., just about everything—NOW! Whether we are waiting on line for our “fast food” meal, ordering from Amazon, or streaming a movie, everything is geared towards giving us want we want as quickly as possible. We’re not very good at slowing down and patiently waiting. I would propose that in our culture, we have a “patience crisis.”  That is very much my problem at this point in my life. Although it’s only been about two and a half weeks since my spinal surgery (I’ve been home two weeks as of today), I’m already getting a bit antsy to get back into life.  I know I have to give my body time to heal, but I’m already getting tired of the process. It’s all feeling so very slow! The doctor says I can begin physical therapy at week six, but I want to start it today. I think you get my point: I’m beginning to lose patience with the process. I’m having a personal patience crisis!  The Bible teaches us much about the ...

On Tuesday February 10, I had a second spinal surgery/fusion. I was in the hospital until Friday afternoon. Thankfully, I’ve been getting stronger each day and better able to get around the house, albeit with a walker. The pain has been slowly subsiding. Right now the healing process seems slow, but I know I need to be patient and allow my body to heal properly that I might get back into the normal routines of my life.  It's during times like these that I am reminded of just how dependent I am on those around me. When in the hospital I was totally dependent on the care of the nurses and aides. I needed all the help I could get to control the pain, get to the bathroom, and get in and out of bed. Once home, I’ve been dependent on my wife and daughter, son and son-in-law, to get a glass of water, prepare my meals, and help me with some of the basic tasks I would normally do myself. I’ve even been dependent on a walker to keep me steady and keep extra stress off my back as I move aroun...

Although I am really into fitness and health, I am very much aware of the fact that there are some things that take place within our bodies that we just cannot control—no matter how healthy and fit we are. Such is the case for me. In spite of the fact that my heart is strong, my blood work good, my weight under control, and my lean muscle mass at a healthy level (no I’m not jacked!), I have currently been dealing with terrible arthritis in my spine—something I ultimately cannot control. With the nerves constantly being pressed upon, I’ve had pain shooting down my legs that at times has been debilitating, to say the least. Because of it, I am headed for spinal surgery this coming week.   To be honest, I find it quite disappointing and frustrating. After all, I watch my diet, do strength training four times per week, and get in a couple of cardio sessions per week.  I’ve done all I can to take care of my body so that I can do the things I love to do and live the life I know...

Have you ever had a period in your life wherein it felt as if your life was filled with chaos? I have.  Life was going along at its normal steady pace. Everything seemed to be in its place. Everything was in order—just the way like it. Then suddenly the upheaval took place. My world—i.e., my life—was turned upside down. Nothing seemed clear. Direction was lost.  Darkness came like a flood. It felt like the tossing and turning would never end. Chaos had seemingly taken over.  Thankfully, the chaos was not the end of the story. Eventually, it gave into the grace of God and the good and perfect purposes of God.  God stepped into the chaos of my life and brought new direction, purpose, hope, and life. He brought about new opportunities and took me to places I never would have gone otherwise. Thus I can say today, God truly brought about something good out of the chaos of my life.  Of course, this is the way God has acted from the beginning. After all, it’s never bee...