Pastor's Devotions by Tim Harris

For a couple of days this past week, I joined the thousands (probably millions) of people in the New York City Metro region, who commute to Manhattan via public transportation each day.  I had the privilege to attend a pastors’ conference at the Times Square Church.  Rather than drive in and pay the tolls and parking, as well as deal with the traffic, I decided to take the bus (which, by the way, is something I haven’t done in a few years).  So, early in the morning I joined people all over the region who stand in lines at bus stops waiting for their bus to show up and transport them to the heart of New York City.  Not only that, but later in the day, I wanted to get uptown to visit someone in the hospital. Since I didn’t have my car that meant taking the subway. Once again, I joined the millions of people all over the City who regularly stand on subway platforms waiting for their train to come.  As I waited for my bus and then the train, I couldn’t help but noti

Years ago Charles Dickens wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”   Many people feel that way about springtime.  We love the budding of the trees, blooming of the flowers, and the return of the birds. The warmer weather motivates us to be outside to work and play. We feel energized by the longer days and brighter sun.  Yet, at the same time, for many of us, it is also allergy season! That can mean runny eyes and a stuffy nose, difficulty breathing, congestion that can lead to infection, and feeling just plain miserable.  Like much of life, springtime brings along with it, the good and the bad.  The question is, how do we respond to it all? I know my tendency is to rejoice in the good, but complain about the bad.  Sometimes I can allow the bad to overshadow the good to the point that I only see the bad, thus losing sight of any of the good. Even in the midst of so much good—i.e. so many blessings—I can end up complaining, whining, and losin

I began writing this devotional on my flight back to the U.S. from what I have come to call "my other world" : Leon, Nicaragua. It's really kind of strange, but because of the number of times I have now been there, I feel like Leon has become an intrinsic part of my life. There are people there who have become like family to me. The children we serve at our school and in the various communities our program is established have come to know me well.  Even the people in the hotel, bakery, and many of the stores and restaurants know me (and I them).  So, when I arrive I feel like I'm arriving into my other world. The hardest part about it all is that, although I'm in Leon a number of times per year, my trips are relatively short, most being four to five days. It can really feel like a whirlwind as I try to accomplish as much as possible in such a short time.  I arrive and before I know it, it's time to leave. In reality, I am just passing th