Pastor's Devotions by Tim Harris

Our family is going through a lot of changes these days. You might say, we are facing a whole lot of new beginnings .   For one, as many of you know, this past weekend our son Jonathan was married. It was a beautiful wedding. At the end of the reception, I stood with the crowd outside the reception hall, watching as Jonathan and his new wife, Danielle, drove off. As they did, they were driving off towards their new life as a married couple. For Kim and me, it was also the beginning of a new life as parents with a married son.   In the midst of all of this, Kim’s parents have moved to South Carolina to begin a new life for themselves there.   After years of talking about making a move, they finally did it—sold their house in New York, bought a new one in South Carolina, and made the move.   They will now get used to living life in a whole new area, while we get used to not having them nearby—and not having Kim’s childhood home available for holiday gatherings or ...

In just a couple of days, Jonathan, my eldest son, will be standing at the altar with his brother by his side and his groomsmen accompanying. I’ll be on the platform officiating—trying not to be too much the beaming and/or nervous dad. The moms will be escorted to their seats. The processional will begin. Finally, his bride Danielle will walk down the aisle on her father’s arm and the exchange will be made. After some scriptures, hymns, and a short sermon, they’ll turn towards each other and make their vows. By the time they leave the altar, they will be husband and wife.   Soon another young couple will begin life as so many have before them: filled with love, excitement, expectation, and hope; their minds swirling with dreams of the future; their hearts beating a little faster. They will go off on their honeymoon and come back more in love than ever. They’ll begin to settle into their new home, get into their own routines, and begin to live their lives in a whole new way. An...

This coming Sunday will be my final Sunday with Promise International Fellowship (PIF).   This will be my last opportunity to address the congregation as their pastor.   It will be a day of goodbyes and hugs—and even some tears.   In my mind I’ll be reminiscing about all the good things that have taken place over these past four years. I’ll be thinking about the many good people I will miss.   I’ll be thinking about the journey we’ve taken together as reflect upon all I’ve learned and all that God has done in my life through this very special congregation. Four years ago, when I was wondering whether or not God would ever open up a new door of ministry for me, he opened up a very unexpected door by bringing me to PIF. It was a wonderful surprise from God. Although it has not always been easy, through this congregation, God re-energized me for ministry. I was given the opportunity to minister to a congregation that is made up of men and women who for the most par...

Right now I am at a place in life wherein I have an awful lot going on in my life.   For one, in less than a month our son Jonathan is getting married. As you can imagine, we are in the throws of all the wedding stuff (especially since I will be officiating for him and Danielle, his fiancé).   On top of that, Kim and I recently accepted a new pastorate. By the end of the month, we will be leaving Promise International Fellowship (PIF) and heading to Shrewsbury, NJ to pastor First Assembly of God of Shrewsbury.   This will mean some temporary commuting, searching for a new home, getting adjusted to a new congregation, and eventually Kim will need to find a new job.   In addition, this past week Promise Ministries hosted a big youth conference that kept me at the church for about fifteen hours per day for four days straight. And, this coming week, I need to make a trip to Leon, Nicaragua, to meet with our local staff down there and prepare them for the transitions...