Pastor's Devotions by Tim Harris

Today’s my birthday. I hesitated to mention that this morning for fear someone might think I’m just trying to get some added birthday wishes (which I guess I wouldn’t mind). But, it seems odd for me to not mention it or reflect upon it as I sit here to write today’s devotional blog. I have to say, this is an interesting part of the journey.   At 58 years old (there I gave you my age!), there are so many transitions taking place in life.   Our “kids” are all now done with college and are venturing out on their own.   Meanwhile, our parents have become or are becoming increasingly dependent upon us.   When it comes to ministry, there are some parts that are easier than they were years ago, simply because of so many years of experience. And, then there are those parts that are new, fresh, and even harder because of changing times and changes that have taken place within me.   Life is definitely not stagnant.   Like most people, I am very much aware th...

For those of you who live in New Jersey (especially the suburbs), have you ever noticed how noisy our nights can be during the summer months?   No, I’m not referring to the volume of cars and trucks on our roads or the blasting of boom boxes and stereos or the parties being held next door.   I’m referring to the crickets and cicadas that chirp and squeak and fill the night air with a cacophony of sound, to the point that it becomes really, really noisy.   They can make such a racquet that one can’t sleep with the windows open—at least such has been the case for me.   What’s really curious to me is that, when my family and I are up to the Adirondack Mountains, although we are in the midst of woods, the nights are quiet as can be. That’s not because of a lack of cars or radios or people. It’s because there seem to be no crickets and cicadas.   Why that is, I am not quiet sure. I just know that, whereas the mountains are quiet and still, it is really noisy her...

After two weeks of vacation up in the Adirondack Mountains, this week has been my time to get back into the swing of things. It was really nice to have two weeks to take life a bit slower—pretty much just taking life day to day; and even, hour to hour.   It was nice to get up in the morning and not really have anything in particular to run to—no calendar to keep, no to-do-list to follow.   But as is said, “all good things must come to an end!”   So, this week I’ve needed to dive back into my work at the church, including preparing to preach this coming Sunday.   There’s been the grocery shopping and small tasks to get done around the house. We’ve had to catch up on the mail and the paying of bills.   And, I’ve had to force myself to get back to the gym and back to a healthier diet (I can’t eat bacon four times a week with breakfast or dessert every night!).   Sunset by Lake Pleasant...ah, what a sight! Of course, getting back into the swing of thin...

This year, Kim decided to plant some vegetables and herbs in large pots on our deck.   Our son Jonathan had begun the process by planting the seeds in starter pots in his apartment and then bringing them to us as seedlings. After they grew a little larger, Kim transplanted them to the larger pots. At first we weren’t sure if they were going to take—and, some did not.   Others of them, however, took off growing like crazy! Kim has been diligent in watering them and doing what she can for them.   But, the future for these vegetables and herbs is yet uncertain.   For one, it seems that there is an animal that likes the leaves of the cucumber plants and has stripped them practically bear (while leaving the zucchini plants alone!).   We are as well concerned that while we are away on vacation, the plants may not receive enough water, especially if another heat wave comes.   Finally, even if the plants do continue to grow well, we are still not sure whether ...

This week, Kim and I have been “dog sitting” for a family in our church. Their dog is a French bulldog named Arnie.   Arnie is definitely a people dog. He loves his family, and I’m sure miss them a lot.   But in their absence, Arnie has taken well to being with us; in fact, he always wants to be with one of us. So, he continually follows us around the house—sitting at our feet, at times getting in our way, sometimes waiting at the bottom of the steps to the second floor until we come down (he doesn’t do steps!), going in and out of the backyard along with us, etc.   This past Monday I spent much of the day working around the house, mostly outside in our yard.   As I worked in the backyard (which is fenced in), Arnie would move from spot to spot with me. And, when I went out to the front of the house, Arnie would sit at the gate, peering through, waiting for me to come back in.   When I went into the house for lunch, Arnie came in right behind me. When I wen...