sabbatical week 6

It is the beginning of the 6th and final week of my sabbatical. It has been an incredible time with family as well as soaking up time with God. The last week I returned from Oklahoma, and Julie and I spent several days with Ruth, her husband Sean and our future grandchild that will be born in November. We had a great time. I am so thankful for this opportunity.

Now we move in to a bit of a different week. It will end next Sunday with my first sermon back at The Community Fellowship. It will begin with being part of a mission team that is working with us at our new campus and in the community. I am a little sad this time is coming to an end, and I am also excited that I get to be part of what God is doing.

Yesterday was the 4th of July where our nation celebrates our independence. I want to be clear that I believe God is more important than our country. We must preach the Gospel over all else, yet we cannot take for granted that we live in and are blessed with a great country. Many have fought for our freedom. That makes America a great place to live. It is also a great place to live to honor our great God.

Galatians 5:13 NLT

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

I continue reading 20/20 Money by Joe Sangl and began a coaching series with Blaine Bartel. There are a couple more books I will be reading in the coming weeks as well.

The first week day devotion will come to you one week from today, Monday, July 12th. But as I close out this sabbatical, here are some big thoughts that are rolling through my heart and mind that will be part of what I share with our church in the coming weeks:

Jesus is enough (my brother shared this)

The key word from sin is separation. Not death. Tony Evans

Joy comes with right decisions.

“Don’t settle for a recovery when Jesus is handing out resurrections” - Blaine Bartel

BE Gospel centered

Marriage takes and is worth effort

Pursue purpose. Not every day mundane.

If you are having a hard time forgiving someone, you most likely have a hard time accepting forgivingness.

Success is tied to obedience .

LES >> live. enjoy. share. (wait for this)

Dream! Write it down.

“Don’t quit in the pit. If you don’t quit, the pit will become your platform. Your lowest moment will be the place of your greatest testimony.” - Michael Todd

“You were born to be an accurate representation of who Jesus is.” - Roy Boyd Jr

Moments. Take them. Reflecting and getting honest.

When you do things God’s way, it will turn out well. - Shane Wilson

It’s easy to trust God when all is well. Will you trust Him when times are tough?

Dependence on God eradicates pride from our Lives. Generosity and humility thrive. Fear is eradicated and faith grows in its place. Anger is removed. Peace grows. Faith grows through trusting God.

That is enough for now. I look forward to sharing much more with you!

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you

why is it Good Friday?

Holy Week is the time we focus on God and His gift of salvation. We come to Friday. The day we remember the cross, Jesus’ death and all God has done for you and me Why do they call this day “Good Friday” because it doesn’t seems good? Jesus was treated as a criminal. He was beaten so much that He could not recognize Him. His pain would have been too much for you or me to endure. That is especially from Scripture I’ve read or as in the movie the Passion of the Christ . Yet it is a good day. It is Good Friday because God had our good in His heart. What Jesus did that day changed our forever direction. Here are some thoughts that come to me: He is Redemption and Redeemer He too our Pain and Punishment He is our Righteousness and Reality He is the Savior and Life All of those happened from the cross. It was meant for the worst lawbreakers. It was not meant for a Savior who never broke a law. It was lifted high so that onlookers could see the price Jesus. Look

Day 8 in Cuba

We have just come off and incredible weekend, and it is day 8 of the mission trip in Cuba. Thank you to all who have been praying for this trip, the mission team and the impact it will have on those we serve. Please don’t stop praying. Last week Alex and I served with a mission team in the mountains of southern Cuba. There were several challenges, but God gave us safety, provision and opportunity to serve some of the sweetest people I have ever met. No running water… sporadic electricity generated by a small, logo dammed up river, no transportation other than animals, limited food sources and more. These people love the Lord and sharing their faith with others. Over the weekend we made our way back to Havana. On Friday our vehicle broke down leaving us on the side of the road for several hours. We then boarded a bus and rode 14 hours. We arrived safely and even got some rest. Sunday was so, so good. We visited two partner churches. In the morning we were with one church that

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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