Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Happy New Year and a belated Merry Christmas to ya! Our family is having an open house Sunday, December 30th from 4 to 6 pm. Come by if you can. Our address is 349 Ridge Road in Collinsville, Virginia. Call us at 276 647 4749 if you need directions. E-Devotions will begin again on Tuesday of this week! More to come...

NOTE: from our family to your family, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This is the last devotion you will receive in 2006. Your next devotion will be delivered on January 2, 2007. Be blessed and keep your eyes and hearts on JESUS…He is the reason for the season. The place of Christmas, the point of Christmas is clear to anyone who will stop and take a long look at history. I like the old saying that shares this: “History is truly His Story.” It is all about God. It is all about God’s plan for humanity. “God manifest in the flesh - that is what is made profoundly possible for you and me by the Redemption.” (Oswald Chambers in My Utmost For His Highest for Dec 25) It was God’s plan and God’s choice to deal with our sin in a loving manner by giving us His best and his one and only Son. Jesus is God. “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel (meaning, God is with us).” Matthew 1:23 (NLT) Not just

I have had a verse running around in my head the last month or so that I cannot get of. Must mean that God wants to use it in me or through me. What do you think? Here it is… “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (NASB) I love this Christmas chorus that goes along with that: Emmanuel, Emmanuel…His name is called Emmanuel. God with us. Revealed in us. His name is called Emmanuel. WORD in the flesh --- God gave His verse best to be all we needed! Saw HIS Glory --- Just like the Shepherds saw with the angels and the wisemen saw in the star Only begotten from the FATHER --- Jesus was all God and all man. The best Christmas gift we can ever receive. Full of GRACE and TRUTH --- the things that we want to be full of, especially at Christmas time. Father, thank you for Christmas as you first gave us Jesus in the flesh as we can now enjoy Your awesome glory. Fill us with

I love opening the mail and reading the Christmas cards. They come from people we love but many times rarely get to see or hear from. Some have pictures. Some are letters. But each one brings a bit of joy and encouragement with them. There are always the pithy, cute poems and season wishes, but the ones I love the most bring reference from what really makes a difference…God Himself come to earth to be the Savior of the world. As I sat this morning to read and spend time with the Lord, I read a typical passage for the day, the 20th of the month, and was struck with a precious thought. “This sounds like a Christmas card.” The words jumped off the page into my mind and dug deep into my heart. They brought comfort and wisdom. They made me think of family and other important things of life. But most of all, I knew that I heard from the Lord. The passage was Psalms 20 from the New Living Translation. Read it for yourself: “In times of trouble, may the LORD respond to your cry. May

The poem “The Night Before Christmas” has always been a favorite of mine and others who love Christmas, but I also love the one based on the old but about Jesus’ return. Thinking about Jesus is what this season is about. As you read (and maybe share) this poem, I pray this Jesus will again meet with us, share with us, change us and give us purpose for living…. 'Twas the night before Jesus came 'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house Not a creature was praying, not one in the house. Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care In hopes that Jesus would not come there. The children were dressing to crawl into bed, Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head. And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap. When out of the East there arose such a clatter, I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash! When what to my wondering eyes sh

As I sit and listen, so often drawn to this place when too much is going on, I hear a voice that is pleasant, calling and full of comfort. In that voice there is peace and patience. There is light and vision. There is safety and at the same time huge adventure. In this voice is life that is changing other lives. Today, I am not able to say much but am listening and touched. To keep me from talking is a big deal, as some of you know. Here is refreshment. Here is strength. “Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Everyone who is victorious will eat from the tree of life in the paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7 (NLT) “But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative—and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you.” John 14:26 (NLT) Here is the Holy Spirit of God ministering to me, the child of God. He wants to

We love our kids. Here is the most recent picture we have of Rebecca, Ruth and Ryan. I love these gifts from God...

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 (NASB) We love Christmas memories. There are things in my memory banks that I will never forget that stick out and remind me of my great family growing up and our Christmases together and the special events at church and the like. We must continue to make Christmas memories. Much of time at present is spent in praying and planning as we move forward with the new church (check out our website as it is newly updated and more to come). Our leaders want to make sure and plan to make an impact on the lives of people who walk through our doors or those who just walk by or run into one of our church family. Making people feel special is something we often do at Christmas, and the church must do all the time. John Maxwell in his most recent newsletter of Leadership Wired shared some ways we make people feel special: let people know you n

On of my children hops in the car last night after a great children’s program at a sister church, and she quotes a movie she recently saw… “The meaner you are to people the more flowers you get at your funeral.” Her mother and I were shocked, and it was evident that she was trying to get a rise out of us. What do you think? At Christmas there are so many things to do and stuff that takes our attention off of what it is really all about. I have heard several folks at our church give testimony recently to this truth: it is all about Jesus. Christmas and church are the same. They are all about Jesus. Take our thinking and how we lead others to think. “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NASB) “Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an

Mary when the angel appeared to her. Held by fear. The shepherds when the host of angels showed up. Startled by fear. The disciples when they were in a storm. Robbed by fear. Fear cripples us, blinds us, robs us, handcuffs us and holds us tight. Fear kicks faith to the curb every time. But the worst thing about fear is that is takes away the greatest and best opportunities we are ever offered. Think about it. Fear will keep us from seeing and keep us from doing. Question: where does fear come from? “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) “So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all—it is dead and useless.” James 2:17 (NLT) “So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) Fear coul

Here is our new church logo ... cudos to our handy, dandy, trusty web designer Matt Adams and Factor 1 Studios Plans are for the new church website to be up and running this weekend! The excitement builds!

I often, like daily, read church planter/pastor Mark Batterson's blog . An entry he wrote last week got me to thinking more about who I am and who this new church is and how we are going to be touching our community and involving people to do that. Please read this article and let me know your thoughts: Survey Culture .

Culturally relevant and Biblically faithful. Those continue to be two of my biggest concerns and prayer requests for ministry no matter where I am. To be relevant is to be sharing truth while talking about things people want to listen to. Often that means by getting their attention, you have to change their direction. Man, that is tough. But that is God’s call on His church, you and me. To be Biblically faithful is easy. Stick to the Bible. If God says it, do it, share it, be it and live it no matter the consequences. I have heard for years people say something like this: the message never changes BUT the methods have to change. There it is…. Culturally relevant and Biblically faithful….God’s call on this pastor and the church I serve as well as every believer in the world. Are we willing to do what it takes to be relevant and faithful to His word? Then he said, "Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God's good news to one and all. 16 Whoever b

Christmas is a time to look at the names we call people. We have nick names for the people we care deeply about, and we have nick names (some we don't share) for the people we care less about. Fact is, we as humans often put in our 2 cents on what we think or feel about people with what we call them. Before Jesus was born there were many things or characteristics given for names of Jesus. As you walk throughn the conclusion of today's devotion here are some verses that point us to think about the reason for the Christmas season. Take a few minutes to think about the names of Jesus, to thank God for His gift of Jesus and then let Jesus fill you because of who He is .... "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 (NLT) "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.&

“Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ…” Philippians 1:27 (MSG) My thoughts are in a million directions today, and I am so excited about all the Lord is doing. Hang with me as I give you a couple thoughts from deep in my heart today. God is so good, great and gracious. It has been a week filled with not feeling well, lots to do and planning for Christmas. I am pretty worn out at the end of the day, but last night I got an e-mail from one of my prayer warriors back home. He always lifts me as I know he is praying. Yesterday after reading the e-devotion his daughter wrote something that is awesome, and I have to share it with you about God’s will. Read on! The Shortest Destination The shortest trip I ever took was to God’s Will I didn’t have to go anywhere to get there I didn’t have to pay for that dream vacation All is cost me, a decision In His will for me There’s no dreamin about somewhere else It’s not around the corner On the other side

Be patient with me, God isn’t through with me yet…there is an old kids song with those words, and I often have to re-think that thought when dealing with my own children or when asking my wife (or others) to deal with me. Being part of God’s plan has everything to do with allowing Him to work in our lives. It is a process that takes time. The carpet installation people show up, and it takes them time to put in the carpet. The painters show up, and it takestime to finish the process. The car guy, the cleaning people, the shopper … whoever you may be thinking about takes time to finish the process they are in. We live in a world that is over run with process but desires quick fixes and microwaves and everything to be faster. BUT God is still working. He uses this stuff to give us patience. He uses life to teach us about His plan. All the while, God asks us and wants us to be part of His plan. "Don't always be wishing for what you don't have. For real life and real living are

Do you ever get caught in the middle? Ever wonder how others draw you in? Do you get angry? The fact is this: we are not in control. God is. Life and all that goes with it belong to our God and He has awesome plans to make something of us and of all the people, places and situations we encounter. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28 (NLT) For whose good? For His first and then ours. This is a world full of self and in great need of humility, and we often need to be pointed in a direction that might just give us reference and help others see what life is all about. Depression, confusion, anger, laziness, bitterness and more are all characteristics or points that ought to tell us that we have missed what it is all about. It is never too late for a u-turn. It is never time to stop trying to convince others. And it is never the wrong time to pray. Why? Because

“When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching great numbers of people. (It was there at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)” Acts 11:26 (NLT) Did you know that the first time people were called Christians that it was a negative term? It is a fact. In Antioch when Paul and Barnabas and other believers went to extremes to share about Jesus. Just had a fellow walk out of my office headed out to another part of the world to serve His country, and he also goes an ambassador for Jesus. He is not ashamed. Got a great friend who called on Saturday as he and his wife are headed to a new field in the mountain of a South America nation as missionaries. They are excited and not ashamed. Heard the testimony of a law enforcement officer this weekend who often tells people about his faith. He is bold and on track. So many have this same testimony. How many times have you been shot at or convicted

As you know the church consumes my time and my heart, and I am so excited about this work the Lord is doing. The dream I have had and the dreams I am having lead me in some new and passionate directions. Thinking about direction I know that we, as a church, have to do all we can to impact our culture, and as the old cliché says ‘this an in’t your grandparents culture.’ You can often find me reading the people that are seeing great impact or doing things in a new and non-traditional style to learn how to get the attention of lost and unchurched people to reach them for Jesus. Paul said it this way: “…Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ. I do all this to spread the Good News, and in doing so I enjoy its blessings.” 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (NLT) While reading my daily Proverb, I ran across a lesson by Christian Leader Guru John Maxwell . Here is his thought for me and for you and the way we lead (from “ The Maxwell Leadership Bible ” pag

I sat down this morning and grabbed the remote and began to do my duty as a man by flipping through all the channels as fast I could. I cannot help it, and it drives my family crazy. It is my duty. Something caught my attention as a county music video was playing on one station (and it was not a woman that caught my attention). As I sat there for a couple of minutes watching and listening, I was reminded of a song by Phillips, Craig and Dean titled “I Want to Be Just Like You”. My lovely bride was getting ready for her day as a preschool teacher, and our 3 year old little man was running through the house as I watched this video. My heart was touched as I saw my son and heard the words of the song. God reminded me of a blessing, a responsibility and a huge opportunity running in front of me. Here are some of the lyrics from Rodney Atkins’ song “ Watching You ”: Driving through town just my boy and me With a happy meal in his booster seat Knowing that he couldn't have the toy Till h