Pastor's Devotions by Tim Harris

Last weekend we had lots of company.   It seemed to be a series of visits in our home for one dinner after another.   On Saturday some friends who this past year had moved out of the area came back for a visit and that night had dinner with us.   On Sunday, Kim and I were blessed to have a young missionary couple come eat with us after our Sunday services.   And, on Monday we received a call from a couple from North Jersey whom we have known for many years; they were in the area and wanted to stop by and see us—so, we gave them dinner as well.   I have to say, Kim is a real trooper when it comes to entertaining guests.   Before you know it, she has a cake in the oven and dinner on the table.   We tend to love having people in our home.   In fact, our children grew up with lots of people, and all kinds of people, coming in and out of our home.   They got used to the missionaries, evangelists, family, friends, and church families sitting a...

Have you ever lost sleep due to stress and anxiety?  I have.  Even recently, I’ve had some nights wherein the thoughts of the day, the stuff going on in our nation, and things that are taking place in my personal life have accumulated in my mind and have kept my mind turning, keeping me from falling asleep.  I know the same has happened to most of you at one time or another.    We are told that, people today are more stressed and anxious than ever before.  A recent study highlighted on the news this past week revealed the high levels of stress and anxiety people across our nation are feeling due to this year’s presidential campaign.  Some people have confirmed to me the same, saying that, especially after watching the presidential debates they have felt their stress levels go up and have had difficulty sleeping that night. I know exactly how they feel!  Some have gotten to the point wherein they refuse to watch any longer; so...

This week as I was driving, the maintenance light in my car came on telling me it was time for my next maintenance check-up—i.e. oil change, tire rotation, etc.   It’s a handy little tool that they have added to our cars these days.   Rather than rely on memory, personal records, or the little sticker in the upper left-hand corner of the windshield, which is easily ignored, the light comes on and stays on until the maintenance work is completed and the light is reset. I have often heard it said that we ought not live our lives in “maintenance mode.”   That is, we ought to live our lives with a sense of accomplishment, moving ahead in life, being productive—not just maintaining the status quo of life.   Yet, there are times when maintenance is necessary and there are things in life that simply need to be maintained.   In the case of my vehicle, I don’t need to reinvent, rebuild, nor re-purchase it; I just need to take proper care of what I already have. ...