Pastor's Devotions by Tim Harris

Today being Halloween, children will be going from door to door, dressed in their costumes doing something they would never do any other night of the year: going to the homes of strangers asking for candy.   And, their request will come in the form of a very strange phrase, “Trick or Treat!”   Of course, our children today (and their parents) don’t really know the roots of that phrase or what it really signifies. For them it is innocent enough.   But, by using that phrase the children are actually doing two things: (1) begging for the candy they wish to receive; (2) threatening some kind of mischief if they don’t get what they are asking for—although today the threat is an idle one.   In a sense, it’s a shame that the children can’t just ring the front door bell and politely ask, “May we have some candy, please.”   I’m sure that most people would just as willingly fill their bags with candy.   But, I’m reminded today of the fact that, as one of God’s children, when I am in nee

So here’s our latest family news: Last weekend our oldest son Jonathan got engaged!   His fiancée Danielle Baily (or “Dani”) and he have been dating for about three years, since Jonathan’s junior year of college.   They will be married next summer. I’m very happy for him and Dani—Kim and I both are. At the same time, I am still trying to process the fact that my own son is taking such a huge step in his life and will soon be setting up his own household independent from ours.     For Jonathan and Dani, all kinds of changes will be taking place in their lives and relationship during this year, and over the next few years.   But, there will also be all kinds of changes for us as parents.   Even now, we have had to begin to accept the fact that our roles are changing. Whereas once we gave instruction and expected to be obeyed, now we give counsel and advice, hoping that our experience and “wisdom” will be taken into consideration. Whereas Jonathan’s primary relationship has been foun