Michael Harrison's e-devotion

There is a common thread between lots of people I get to meet these days.  One of the pieces that seems to be the most difficult for me to deal with is distrust.  We have all been hurt.  We have all been lied too at some point.  This means that we often deal with people based upon how people have treated us in the past. It isn’t easy to break down the walls that led to not trusting anyone, yet when those walls come down, relationships are strengthen, hope is built and lives begin to change.  How sweet is really is when you are talking with a person and they open up to tell you their story.  It is full of pain.  There are lots of tears.  But in the middle of the conversation that is a little smile and huge connection because you are sharing life. Romans 15:2   NLT We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. I recently sat with a young person who has all of life ahead of them.  By being in their early 20’s there are endless possi

entry way of the possible The Community Fellowship new offices Psalm 147:3   NLT He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. Our church is entering a new day as we embrace the possibility of a new building and in reality a new campus that will allow our worship, ministries and impact to grow in great ways.  The piece of property that is under contract at this point and will hopefully be closed on soon has been something we have been seeking for some time. I first learned about the building years ago when one of our church members worked for the business that used to be housed there.  It was a thriving place where families had their dreams filled as their new homes where designed and built.  Yet at the end of last summer it came to my attention that this building had been vandalized in a big way.  It was and is currently in complete shambles. Not many days later I visited the property, and our leaders began to try to buy the property.  Tha

2 Corinthians 5:17   NLT This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 1 Peter 5:6   NASB Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, The beginning is an awesome place.  It is kind of like the day when the baby was born.  Even with all the pain and the waiting there is joy and excitement.  It is like spring when all the flowers are blooming after you have come through the cold and sometimes difficult weather of winter.  I like beginnings. Sometimes beginnings don’t come at the start.  It might be in the middle or even somewhere toward the end.  The Bible actually says that God makes all things new.  God takes what is broken and mends it.  He takes what is sick and heals.  God is able and still does take what is destined for death and gives it life, new and strong life. For me the beginning was when I understood that Jesus

It is that time of the year.   We have three kids, and all of them talking about final tests and the SOL tests they have to take in the coming weeks.   SOL’s are the Virginia Standard of Learning tests that students have to take to demonstrate that they have learned what they need to move on to the next level. I love to see my children thrive, and our kids are pretty good students.  On Monday my wife and I got a message from our oldest that she passed a test that she was really stressed over.  Our youngest has reminded us almost every day the last week that he has SOL test beginning next Monday.  It is almost like that is all the teachers and students talk about is tests. Let me say this for the record: I HATE TESTS.  Honest.  I really hate them.  But if we don’t have tests we cannot see if we have learned or progressed, and we will not be challenged to go further and do better.  Here is what God says about the tests we have in our lives: James 1:2-4   MSG Consider i

(NOTE: much of this post first appeared on my blog and through e-devotions in May of 2009.  It is still relevant today) Matthew 16:18  (nlt) (Jesus said) upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. I am more excited about the vision that God has given The Community Fellowship than I have ever been (that’s a fact that grows all the time).  God continues to renew and even rebuilt some of the passion inside me for the work He is doing here.  That also means that Satan isn't happy and is working overtime.  Yet that doesn't take away from the vision God has given us. We are in a series about the vision and mission of The Community, and the series is called I LOVE COMMUNITY.  It is not only about our church.  It talks about what the church is called to do in any community .  One of the stories from Acts continues to hit me, and I’d like to share it with you.  Honestly, this is what I am expecting God to