Pastor's Devotions by Tim Harris

On my side of the family, June 16 th through the 20 th is a week of birthdays.   The history is as follows:   My sister Lois’ daughter, Mariel, was born on June 20, 1994. The following year my daughter Joanna was born on June 17.   The year after that, my other sister Faith’s son, Danny was born on June 18. Then a few years later my brother John’s son, Nathan was born on June 16, 2008.   Finally, John’s fourth son, Levi, who was scheduled to come on June 20, filled in the gap and was born on June 19, 2013. (I think I have that all right!) That makes five birthdays in a row among the 16 cousins!   At this point it is impossible to celebrate all the birthdays together.   Yet, we try our best to recognize each of the birthdays, at least with a phone call.   And, last night we did celebrate the two girls’ birthdays together, that is Joanna’s and Mariel’s, with dinner and a cake. It seems like everyone loves to celebrate a birthday.   Even for t...

Today is my first Father’s Day without my dad.   In honor of my dad who passed away on May 7 of this year and in honor of all the dad’s out there, I want to share this article I wrote on my father’s 80 th birthday: I didn’t really know how much I wanted or needed my father’s approval and affirmation until I finally received it.   Let me explain.   From my early teen years on, I knew I had been called by God to the ministry.   As a high school senior, however, I realized that my father would not approve of me going to Bible school. He wanted me to have an education and a career that would provide more stability than that which a life of ministry can promise.   And, I know he wanted to protect me from the hurts that he had so often seen church people bring upon a pastor and his family. Mostly, however, I thought that he didn’t believe that I could be an effective pastor and preacher.   After graduating college and then working for a few years, G...

It’s been a few weeks now since my two younger children, Nathaniel and Joanna, have been home from college. (Jonathan is yet away in Nicaragua.)   So, once again, Kim and I are adjusting to having a full house, even as they are making their adjustment to living back home with their parents. We have had to adjust to the added shopping, cooking, and cleaning, the juggling of cars, the conflicting and intertwining schedules.   There is more waiting for the shower, the wondering where all the food went, and at times the added noise. For their part, they are adjusting to having their parents looking over their shoulders and asking them where they are going and what time they will be home. (I know it’s not always easy for them—but that’s what parents do!) If you know me at all, you know I am not complaining.   I love having my kids home and I am more than willing to make whatever adjustments are necessary.   It’s just that every time they go back to college, Kim and I...