understand the differences

It is important to know the culture situation of the people around you, but often it is not always easy to understand. We can often overlook things or even ignore facts that are obvious.

I just returned last week from Cuba, and this truly is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Yet it is the people that are the most beautiful part. Understanding the setting is much different than where I live is important.

James 1:5 NLT

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

We need God’s help to understand the things around us and even to understand ourselves. He knows all because He is the creator as well as the keeper of life and the giver of purpose. I really want to see people through His eyes.

Cuba is a very different culture from where I live. It is a country of great poverty and one that works in far different ways than we are used to. There are few people of means or wealth. Yet I have found the ones I know to be content and grateful to rely on God for what they have. There is little room for change economically. Food and transportation are in big shortage. Electricity is often off for many hours through the day. Prices of everything is much higher. The median income for a family is around $20 a month.

When I started going to Cuba in 2019, things were hard to get, but now some things are next to impossible to find. The sports ministry continues to serve in areas of sports but also in meeting basic needs. You can share the Gospel, and the churches and ministries are free to serve and share.

What connects me to these great people and their work is the common desire to meet needs to to share Jesus with others. We must do that wherever we are. But we need to understand the culture around us whether in our backyard or across the world. One of my mentors said to me years ago, “the light that shines farthest must necessarily shine brightest at home.” That means that we should not be going other places to do what we are not willing to do at home. That is why this ministry continues to have my heart.

Ephesians 3:18 NLT

And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

I am grateful to be part of a work making a great difference in the lives of people in a place like Virginia and in Cuba.

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

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 ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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