Pastor's Devotions by Tim Harris

Through the years, Kim and I have done a lot of driving up down the highways here in the Northeast. As we do, whether we are on the New York State Thruway, Connecticut Turnpike, New Jersey Turnpike, or Route 95, it’s not uncommon for us, after a few hours of driving, to be in need of a rest stop. Well, thankfully, our highway systems have rest stops all along the way. So, when we begin to get a bit tired, need to stretch, use a bathroom, or get something to eat, it’s not all that difficult to find a rest stop that will meet our need. Once we’ve stopped, even for a short amount of time, we feel reenergized and ready to keep on travelling. We’re thankful for the rest stops along the way.  Did you know that, one of the themes found in the Bible has to do with, rest? Right at the beginning, in the account of creation, we read of God resting on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3). Later on, God commands his people to set aside the seventh day as a day of rest. It’s called the Sabbath. (Exod...

A couple of months ago, my son Jonathan introduced me to an app for my phone that gives the user a visual of the stars, planets, moon, and constellations. It’s really cool to go out on a clear night and hold your phone up to the sky and be able to know exactly which planet you are looking at or the name of a star.  Most recently, by means of the app, I’ve been able to identify Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars that are all showing up in the sky above us. In fact, now when I look up, I can identify them even without the help of the app. During our summer vacations in the Adirondack Mountains, we will often go out on a clear night and sit or lay back on the beach by the lake and look up. As we do, we are able to see a host of stars that are not visible to us here in a more populated area. Up there we are able to catch a glimpse of the milky way, satellites that are making their way around the earth, and lots of shooting stars. But here’s the thing: in order to see all of that, one has to loo...

For years, the evening news on the ABC network has been called, “Eyewitness News.” The implication is that the news its reporters bring comes from firsthand experience as they go out to the scene of a fire, crime scene, or whatever it is they are reporting on. As the ABC reporters are dispatched to the location of a particular event, they show live scenes, interview witnesses, and give an “eyewitness” report. The producers of the newscast have known for years, when it comes to reporting, people want to hear from those who can give a firsthand account. There’s nothing like hearing from an eyewitness.  In the book of 1 Thessalonians, we read of the Apostle Paul sending Timothy to the church in Thessalonica to bring back to him an eyewitness account regarding how it was the believers there were doing.  Paul wrote, “…when I could stand it no longer, I sent (Timothy) to find out about your faith.”  (1 Thessalonians 3:5 – NIV).  What did Timothy report? What was his eyewit...

This past week, Kim and I have had the pleasure of having our son Jonathan, his wife Danielle, and our grandson, Jesse with us—for the whole week!  That has meant a lot of “Jesse time!” At eight weeks old, he has become so much more responsive and playful than when we saw him last. I love having him on my lap in front of me, hearing him try to “talk,” and seeing his big smile break out.  I don’t even mind changing his diapers! And I especially love holding him up against me as he begins to fall asleep. It’s so calming and peaceful for the both of us. And, it makes me feel good to know he trusts me enough to sleep against my chest, between my shoulders.  If you think about it, it’s not surprising that babies like to be held as much as they do. After all, when they are held up against a parent, grandparent, etc. they are in a place of safety and security. It’s there that an infant finds comfort, protection, and provision. It’s between the shoulders of one who loves them tha...

When I began running a few years ago, I began with 2 – 2/12 mile runs gradually working my way up to a 5K (3.1 miles). My goal was to be able to run a 5K race at a 9 minute/mile pace or better. So, I worked on getting faster for that particular distance. Soon, I was able to run at that pace with my best 5K time being an 8:26 mile. My problem was, I couldn’t run more than a 5K, mostly because I didn’t know how to pace myself for the longer run.  This past spring and summer, however, I began working on longer runs. I began doing more 4 mile runs and worked my way up to a 10K (6.2 miles). My longest run thus far has been 7 miles. The key to these longer runs has been the pace, which for me is about a 10 minute/mile pace. (Yesterday I ran 5 miles at a 9:37/mile pace!) I have found, if I want to go the longer distance I’ve got to properly pace myself at the start. The goal in this case is not so much the speed as it is the distance to be covered.  A lot of people begin things in li...