Pastor's Devotions by Tim Harris

Recently I saw a comedian who referred to a situation I have seen played out over and over again.   A person arrives at a friend’s home and, rather than simply going to the door and knocking, they send a text that says, “I am here!”   It’s so strange to me. Why not just go to the front door?   Why the need for the text? (And, what did we do for so many years, before we could text our arrival?) It seems to me that, with all of our means of communication today, we often don’t know how to really communicate. We don’t know when to use email or text messages or to simply make a phone call.   Every so often I get a text message that is longer than long—which would make for a much better email.   Then there are those people who want to use email for instant communication, instead of sending a text message or making a phone call, expecting the other person to chat via their inbox.   I tell my children that, when making arrangements with someone—i.e. to settle ...

A few weeks ago I wrote about the daffodils that had sprung up at the end of February outside of our church office. For me, they were “a taste of spring” (as I entitled that week’s Pastor’s devotion), breeding hope for that which was to come. How quickly things can change, especially the weather.   Since that time, we have had below normal temperatures and even a snowstorm!   The result is, the daffodils are now drooping to the point of no recovery!   Not only that but, many of us have become a bit frustrated, as we want spring to finally get here! Our daffodils after the snowstorm! We all know how quickly life can change—not just the weather.  One day we are feeling like those daffodils in the midst of warm temperatures, bathing ourselves in the sun and lifting our heads up high. Then without warning, things come our way that we never expected could happen to us and, not only are our heads drooping, but so are our spirits.  Like the sudden deep freeze ...

Recently, I met with a trainer at the gym for a free training session. (Of course, they want to sell you more sessions.)   We spoke about my goals and my diet.   Then the trainer printed out for me a diet he wanted me to try.   When I got home, I read it through and realized that there was no way in the world I could follow this particular diet.    It included no grains, no legumes (i.e. no beans—not even peanut butter!), no dairy, and almost no carbs at all.   All this diet allowed you to eat was lots of meat, vegetables, and fruit.   I realized that there was no way in the world I could keep such a diet.   It would mean not being able to enjoy a meal with my family or with friends—constantly saying “no” to all kinds of food.   My whole life would become consumed by what I could and couldn’t eat.   (And, it would make Kim and kids crazy!) Now, this past year I began to exercise and watch my diet to a degree unlike I have ever done ...

At our church, we are currently in the midst of our annual missions convention. Our theme this year, as handed down to us through the Assemblies of God is, “Beyond Borders.”   Throughout this past week we have heard of God taking men and women and their families far beyond the borders of their lives here in the U.S.—taking them to the far reaches of our world; to places that I can sometimes hardly find on a map. It’s incredible to hear where they are living, what they have faced, and most of all the walls that God has broken down for them to preach the gospel.    Now, I am not trying to get political in any way, but considering the rhetoric in our nation in recent months, I find the theme that has been handed down to us to be a bit ironic.   After all, it was probably at least two to three years ago, long before the current rhetoric, that the Assemblies of God leadership in our missions department chose the theme for this year and began producing the banners, vi...

I don’t know about you, but I am done with winter and ready for spring!   Well, earlier this week, hope was birthed in me for I experienced a little foretaste of that which is to come.   As I drove up to my office here at the church, I noticed that the daffodils along the side of our office building had bloomed!   As I looked at them I realized it was still only February (actually it was February 28) and spring was yet almost a month a way!   In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen daffodils, nor any other flowers, bloom so early in the season.   But, those daffodils said to me, spring is on its way!   Daffodils blooming by the office. Picture taken February 28th   Today it’s much colder out; winter has come back for at least a few days.   Yet, as I once again saw those daffodils this morning, they seemed to continue to say, winter is almost past; the longer, warmer days of spring and summer are almost here! In fact we might say, those da...