Pastor's Devotions by Tim Harris

It’s not unusual for me to have multiple things on my mind at any particular moment.   I tend to be able to think about a few things at once. But, lately it’s been a bit extreme.   My mind has been going in a million different directions as I have been getting adjusted to our new church, preparing for our move, working on the purchase of a home, trying to keep up with what’s going on with my children, keeping in my mind my mom and the care she needs, etc., etc.   To say the least, I have had a lot on my mind lately.   I’m sure we all have a lot to think about.   To me, it’s amazing how many thoughts can go through our minds in a day; how many things we can think about at nearly the same time.   And, it’s not only the particulars of our lives that we have on our minds but as well the thoughts that pass through our minds as we listen to the news, watch television, listen to a friend tell us what is going on in their life, hear a sermon or sit in a classr...

The day began like any other. The sky was a bright blue. We had eaten breakfast. I had just driven my nephew to pre-school. I was getting into my routine for the day. Everything seemed so normal. But then it happened. The news came over our radios and televisions. Quickly our beautiful normal day became a day of confusion, terror, chaos, fear, death. It became a day like no other.   I remember quickly driving home to my wife; I was so glad to see her.   Later that day I was overjoyed to hug my kids—hugging them in a way I had never hugged them before. After having the phones go down for a period of time, it was a relief to be able to talk to my parents and grandmother on the phone. Not everyone was so fortunate to be able to see their spouse, hug their child, or talk to their parent.    It was a day like no other.   We all have our memories of what we now simply call 9-11.   It was a day that changed our perception of our world. It was a day that c...

Last night I received an automated call from our local water company asking us to restrict our water usage. As per the message, this past August was one of the driest on record.   Currently, the local reservoirs are at 50% capacity. And while the temperatures remain in the nineties, there is little to no rain in the forecast. Throughout much of the summer most of us, including myself, have been ecstatic that we have had so many beautiful days to enjoy our outdoor summer activities.   It’s been a great summer to go to the beach or lake. Few barbeques have been cancelled due to bad weather.   Yet, we are now paying the price for all the “beautiful weather.”   Just a brief look at the lawns that are turning brown and trees that are losing their leaves prematurely make it obvious that we are truly in need of rain.   This morning I read these words from Psalm 143 and they seemed so appropriate to our current situation: “I spread out my hands to you; I thirst...