Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Well, maybe we need to talk a little more about the word loser.  The normal definition and God's definition are a long way from each other.  People would say that a loser is some one maybe who has no money or is homeless.  Maybe go as far as a person who is unemployed or who has been married several times. Jesus looked at people in a much different way.  He saw the potential in people when no one else could or even wanted to.  Jesus went after the losers of His day.  It was His words, His healing and His friendship that allowed them to see that God had plans for those that the world thought were losers.   Have we learned to do as Jesus did?  I'm afraid the church hasn't learned much.  We are known for fighting more than for peace.  We are known for what we are against more than what we are for.  We are known for being judgmental rather than being accepting and loving others.  God has called us to accept those that few others accept.  He has called us to let lo...

I cannot get this song out of my head.  So all I want to do today is pass on the lyrics to this song and a youtube video of it.  These are incredible words, but what makes it incredible is that our relationship with God is real and powerful. Watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of4fvzKnId0 Here are the words to the song: I Lift My Hands by Chris Tomlin Be still, there is a healer His love is deeper than the sea His mercy, it is unfailing His arms are a fortress for the weak Let faith arise Let faith arise I lift my hands to believe again You are my refuge, You are my strength As I pour out my heart, these things I remember You are faithful, God, forever Be still, there is a river That flows from Calvary's tree A fountain for the thirsty Pure grace that washes over me So let faith arise Let faith arise Open my eyes Open my eyes I lift my hands to believe again You are my refuge, You are my strength As I pour out my heart, these things I remember Y...

Have you ever spent much time thinking about sheep and those who care for them?  Sheep are not the smartest of animals, but what a cool relationship that they have with their shepherd.  Jesus called us sheep, and there are some similarities between you and me and sheep.  Enough said. Jesus said when he saw people hurting: Matthew 9:36 NLT When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. David said this about himself and his relationship with God: Psalm 23:1 NLT The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. This week and even last weekend I have spent some time thinking about this deal of what a shepherd does for us.  Margaret Feinberg in her book "Scouting the Divine" she describes this relationship in living color.  Her description stole my heart and has allowed me to say the same thing that David said ... God is my shepherd. Looking through...

Thanks for your patience.  Last week didn't go as planned as my daughter got sick and had to have emergency surgery to remove her appendix.  She is healing well and hopes to be back in school tomorrow.  Several other things took my attend last week as well. Yet in the middle of all that was going on the Scripture I was reading continued to get bolder in front of my and louder in my heart.  It was all about David and from 1 Samuel.  What an incredible story this man had and that continues today.  We've learned much from David's life, his calling and the way that he dealt with so many issues. The one piece that stuck our in my mind starts in 1 Samuel 24:3-8 and continues on to the next chapter.  Let me share just a thought with you. Saul was king.  He looked like a king.  David was the opposite but was anointed to be king.  After Samuel anointed David king, David served Saul.  He could have killed saul a couple times, but he didn't...

Forgive me for not writing and posting more this week. My team has been busy helping hurting people in our community and looking for property for The Community Dream Center. But as the picture shows, I've got another reason too. Our middle child, Ruth, had to have emergency surgery yesterday to remove her appendix. She is recovering well and having some pain. Ruth has been strong and patient. Much more than her dad has. What a busy, emotional but good week. We've seen God work and heard His voice many times. I have a great family. I have a great church family as well. This weekend will be good with a community meeting for the Give Back Foundation (Saturday at 11:30am at Collinsville library; everyone is invited), a picnic to celebrate 20 years of work for Raceway Ministries here in Martinsville (every volunteer is invited; 5pm Saturday in the infield at Martinsville Speedway), a wedding my wife and daughter hope to attend (Motsch family from church), an exciting worship experie...

John 1:12 NASB But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, It's cool to be a son.  I have a great dad and a great heavenly Father.  My dad has taught me so much through my 40 years and continues to be one of my greatest encouragers.  Yet my wife says that I needed a lot more discipline when I was growing up (she is just jealous because she got more spankings than I did).  Fact is, It's cool to be a son. In retrospect, if you are not a son, you won't receive the blessing or the discipline that your parent gives you.  Think about it.  Hebrews 12 reminds us that discipline isn't fun, but it brings us to a new place and to much growth. Hebrews 12:8 NASB But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. If God didn't discipline us, then we aren't His kid.  Again, I d...

It seemed too good to be true.  This past January I received an email from SHOR Ministries about a free retreat that they offer to ministers and their spouses.  I wasn't sure what to think or if it was even real.  Most people, ministries or whatever want something or what you to buy something from them.  They assured that their ministry was different.  I put the event on the calendar after sharing with my wife. Julie and I spent last week in a lodge up in the mountains near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  We still didn't know what to expect, but we were excited to be able to get away.  Turns out that we spent time with 6 other couples in ministry.  They provided us with a private room in a nice lodge (check it out here) and all of our meals. One words sums up what we experienced yesterday: refreshing.  We made new friends.  We laughed at stories and shared painful truth of the things we go through in ministry.  We talked about family and life and so much more.  It was ...

PRESS RELEASE Immediate Media Release, May 8, 2011   HENRY COUNTY, VA. --- The Community Dream Center (TCDC) board of directors announces we will host our second of three community meetings on May 15th at 5pm. This will be held at Mercy Crossing Church, which is located at 1978 Joseph Martin Highway In Martinsville, Virginia.   This meeting will share information about TCDC and the work we are doing to assist hurting people in and around Henry County. We will continue to share the vision of this work as we partner with other organizations, churches and individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of people here in our community.   Everyone is invited to attend. Please help us get the word out about this meeting and the work of The Community Dream Center. We seek to fill the gaps in services here in our community with the largest of those being a residence for homeless men. TCDC is a local organization modeled closely after the highly successful Los Angeles Dream C...

Psalm 46:10 NLT "Be still, and know that I am God!    I will be honored by every nation.    I will be honored throughout the world."   You are not expecting this, I'm sure. But I'm pulling the plug. I'm disconnecting. No blog. No twitter. No Facebook. No email or text messages.   I'm unplugging from them all.   Just so you don't go into cardiac arrest now from this information, let me put you at ease that I'm only unplugging for the next 5 days. From noon Monday, May 9th through Friday evening, May 13th I won't be posting or sharing anything.   Some people have already starting taking bets that I can't make it. Well, that could be a bet you might lose on the average time, but I'm putting it down and stepping up. And I ask for your prayers.   God is so good. His blessings have been huge lately. There is no turning back. I'm asking God for time to refresh His calling on my life and the vision He has place...

This is my wife. Meet Julie. Follow her on Facebook or on twitter ( www.twitter.com/harrisonjulie ). You'll be blessed if you do. But you won't see or get from that is how this lady loves and sacrifices for her family. Over and over and over again, my precious Julie has loved her children and me, her husband, with unconditional and sacrificial love. We've been together for 18 years. Hard to believe it is has been that long. But what a great journey this has been. The kids and I gave Julie her mother's day present at lunch. Her eyes and her looking at it several times today have made the hours we spent putting that photo album together more than worth it. Memories are rich. Our family is blessed. All because God gave us this gift. You, Julie. You are a gift from God to my life and to our children. I love you more now than ever. Happy Mother's Day to you. I can't wait for the journey ahead.

I'm blessed. My brothers are blessed. Even my dad is blessed. This morning I talked about my mom during the sermon at The Community Fellowship, and it was all true. My mom lived out loud her faith. She loved her sons unconditionally. She modeled and taught us about Jesus. Proverbs 31 talks about my mom. First Corinthians 13 talks about my mom's love. Before this day is over I've got to say out loud .... I love my mom. Happy Mother's Day to the worlds greatest mom and gift from God to my life. By the way, I'm the youngest and the favorite son. That is a given. Thanks for letting me share with about my mom!

I remember for the last 18 or so years that the first Thursday of May is a special day set aside to pray.  People across the United States are asked to take time out of their busy schedules to seek God for our nation on the National Day of Prayer .  At times there has been more emphasis on this day and the event, but the fact is pray is something that God blessed us with.  It is our connection to God. Psalm 17:6 NLT I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. Prayer is more than just talking to God.  Make sure not to miss the aspect of listening.  Lets take a few minutes to deal with the things that keep us from having effective prayer lives. Proverbs 15:8 NLT The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright. point 1.  Is prayer just something you do or do you really connect with God?  Literally, when we pray, we are talking and...

There are all kinds of towels.  Some are meant for decoration.  Some have sentimental value in our lives.  Some have a special purpose or are better for a particular need.  But a towel always symbolizes a need being met or a service being rendered.  Jesus knew what a towel did for others and how he needed to serve.   A towel is nothing new to us.  It wipes sweet off our faces.  It dries our hands.  It cleans things up.  A towel is used to serve.  Left by itself, a towel is of no use.  Pick it up, let it do what it was created to do.   We have just come through Easter, and we celebrated last week the fact that our Savior is alive.  He conquered death and hell.  He came back to life.  Yet right before Jesus suffered the cruel and painful death of the cross, He displayed what it really means to serve others.   Jesus called His disciples together to celebrate the Passover and to institute the last supper.  This was a time of crisis.  He served others during crisis times.  What ...