Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Today is Halloween.  For some it is an important day, but for many others this day is about evil.  Let’s check our perspective.   I encourage you to focus on what really matters.  Truth is simple.  The one who provides for us is willing to do so much more and make sure that our future is secure.   Jesus is life.  God is peace.  You are loved by God.   God is not just willing to help us and be with us, but it is His nature to make our lives stronger and better.  Remember who you are.  You are forgiven.  Focus on God.  Doing that will change almost every situation, will remove shame, encourage others and allow us to know real and lasting peace.  That is why we need to share the love of God as it has been shared with us.   Enjoy the day.  Halloween.  Enjoy the candy and the fun.  But most of all enjoy life!  Now, share that with others.   Romans 5:1  NLT   Therefor...

This is not a halloween post.  Well, maybe.  No, it is not.  But take it as God leads. 2 Timothy 1:7  NLT   For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So many of life’s issues keep us from being clear minded and confidence.  Why do we allow people, things and situations to cloud what we know about God?  It is true, but that should not be the case. What scares you? Fear has no place in the life of the person who follows Jesus.  Jesus is with us.  Jesus is our God, guide and guard.  He gives us wisdom and the possibility of abundant life. Did you get that?  Abundant life is a possibility, yet we allow the things of life to get in the way of having what God promises us.  From His is strength and life and the ability to live well and in abundance.  Don’t miss those things. Halloween often resembles the things of the devil and this world.  But have you ever tried to str...

Today is an important day for children every where as Halloween is celebrated.  I am not going to share the wickedness of the holiday or the comparison of the day. What I will do is encourage you and others to focus on what really matters.  The truth is simple.  The one who provides for us is so many things that we can lift up and shout about.  Jesus is life.  God is peace.  You are loved by God.  He is not just willing to help and be with us, but it is His nature to make our lives stronger and better.   Remember who you are.  Forgiven.  Remember that focusing on the good and on God will change almost every situation, will remove your shame, will encourage others to live in peace and not fear, and allows us to share the love of God as it has been shared with us. Enjoy the day.  Enjoy the candy and the fun.  But most of all enjoy life!  Now, share that with others. Romans 5:1  NLT   Therefore, since we have been m...

Pain.  Celebration. Death.  Answers.  Stress. Peace.  Addiction. Those words pass through my mind on just about a daily basis.  As a pastor I meet people in all areas of life.  Some are celebrating the big days or the great wins while others are mourning the loss of family or the battle of some sickness or addiction. Honestly, there aren’t many answers apart from our faith.  Life is difficult. You turn on the news or scroll through Facebook this past Saturday and see the horror of a shooting at a Jewish Synagogue in Pittsburgh where many lives were lost. Sad.  No answers.  Monday morning there is a blurb and not too many hours from us where a student was shot at a school in Charlotte before the school day begins.  Sad.  That ought not to happen. Today is Halloween. For children is a day where smiles and candy are plenteous.  Yet ...

Tonight is our annual Family Fun Night at Halloween where we partner with the TV station near the church and others.   There will be free hotdogs, popcorn, inflatables, trunk or treat and more.   Volunteers need to arrive at 5pm, and please bring more bags of candy with you.   Thanks to our own Matthew Perdue for helping make this event a huge success. The Community Fellowship was formed to meet people where they are and demonstrate the love of God to our community while we get their attention.   This event, and all the events we do, is one more way to share Christ.   Come out.   Pass the word.   Let’s make a difference! "God is not just the starting point of your life; he is the source of it." - Rick Warren Are you at the end of the rope?   Do you have nowhere else to turn?   Many people find that those two places are the very ones where they find God.   That’s where we find God in incredible ways.   Yet alon...

Halloween is one of the most controversial holidays for Christians.  I’ve heard all kinds of thoughts, teaching and conviction surrounding this day.  This is not intended to give you the history behind the day or my theology on the evils of the world, the Devil or of this holiday. What I want to ask is that think about using our time and our influence to help others meet God along the journey we are on.  Some people will say that we are naïve or weak because we don’t denounce Halloween.  I believe that we need to redeem the things that God puts in front of us.  That includes material possession, occasions, people and so much more. Today is one of those days that needs to be redeemed.  Don’t stick your head in the sand and just wait for it to go away.  Meet people where they are and with the love of God and kindness win the right to talk to people about Jesus.  Jesus changes people.  We don’t change people.  ...