Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Just this.  When the world around you seems to be swirling out of control, look to this and others like it. Just this.  Trust stands when the lies and the confusion can’t seem to stop. Just this.  A great place to turn when your answers aren’t giving you want you think you need. So, just this. Colossians 3 NLT 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.  10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.  13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.  15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and ...

Years ago there was a TV show that used the phrase “just the facts”.  The show was called Dragnet, and it was typically when an investigator wold be looking for evidence in a case.  He wold ask for “just the facts” as he talked to someone. We ought to be looking for the facts and make sure what is false, what is deceptive and what does not line up with truth is pushed aside, or even thrown away.  We need to know, hold and share the facts about our faith.   It is when life is dark that we need to know the facts.  It is when life is tough that we need to know the facts.  It is when we are going down the roads that lead to depression that we need to know the facts.  It is when we are sick or suffering that we need to know the facts.  It is when we think all is lost and we are out of control that we need the facts. Here ya go.  Just a few verses that scream at us about our faith.  I run to these often.  I run there in my thinking. ...

Ephesians 6:19  NLT   May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. We’ve only just begun.  Yes, that is part of a song.  I remember from my childhood, and there are are so many truths in that short phrase.   So many things we deal with in life take a lifetime or a long time to make happen.  It takes years for a human to grow up.  It takes time for a broken bone to mend.  It takes time for a broken heart to heal.  It takes time to learn a new language or to build a house. Some things take longer than others, and you may very well be like me and have very little patience.  Waiting is often hard.  But our God is always working even when the process is taking some time to be completed. In the middle of waiting someone is saying “we’ve only just begun”, and maybe God is saying “we’ve only just begun”.  Lo...

Just why?  That is a good question that we don’t ask too often.  It is an important question too because we need to understand why we are alive.  Let me work on some examples. One husband asked his wife why she cuts the turkey in a certain way before cooking it on Thanksgiving.  She said she didn’t know but would ask her mom.  After calling her mom she was told that was the way her grand mother prepared the turkey.  When the mom called grandma, grandma said she cut the turkey like that because years ago the pan she had to bake the turkey was too small for the entire turkey.  Interesting and insightful. Have you ever wondered, if you have been in church for any length of time, why they cover the serving table before the Lord’s supper or communion?  You know, they used something that looks like a big sheet that covers the bread, the juice and the entire table.  Upon checking in to why someone discovered that the reason the table is covered is b...

Just because.  Because I said so. Both of those phrase hold lots of memories for me.  Reminds me of an answer my parents would give me when I asked a question or didn’t want to do something.  The other is the answer to so many questions that I don’t understand. A recent new song has caught my attention.  It is by a band named Judah, and the song is “Just Because”.  It gives one of those answers.  I really like the sound of the song, and then I really connect with what it has to say. Here is a little of the song or the lyrics.  Go find the song and listen or watch. Boldly I come Into His arms With nothing to bring But all of my heart How could this be? The way He looks in my eyes All broken and crimson sin He sees only white And I can’t do anything To gain what He’s done I’m His beloved I am His friend His love has no limit From beginning to end No angel or demon will ever separate Me from His goodness and His wonderful gaze So let me remind you Of all ...