Michael Harrison's e-devotion

There are some things that just don’t call for having a party.  Some do.  But not struggles.  Not stress and tribulation. God says different.  Or Paul does in his letter to the church at Rome.  One of the greatest books on the Bible as a theological text book.  We learn how to live by faith and live a transformed life. But back to the tribulation and throwing a party.  Just what did Paul say? Romans 5:3-5  NASB And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. The struggles we might qualify as tribulation have meaning in our lives.  God uses that and more to build character and to continue to reenforce true hope.  Hope in who we know loves us most.  That woul...

Romans 12:10  NIV Love one another with brotherly affection.   Outdo   one another in showing honor. We were surprised.  This past Saturday night many of our friends and family from church surprised Julie and I with a celebrate of our 25th wedding anniversary.  I was suspicious, but I had no idea of just what was going to happen.  The size, the sweetness and celebration was really over the top. Julie and I were whisked away.  She was with our daughter and son.  I was with the leader of our recovery ministry.  Again, I knew something was going on.  Those days and minutes were sweet.  Great conversation.  Anticipation.  If you know me, I am hard to surprise and I am a bit nosey. Walking in the door at the Spencer-Penn event center was amazing. People everywhere.  Maybe 125 or so people showed up.  Over to one side was several of Ju...

In his book  The Kingdom of God Is a Party , Tony Campolo relates an experience he had late one night in Hawaii. I first read this story almost 30 years ago, and this story framed well our message Sunday about loving our neighbors. Read on and hear what God has to say to you… Up a side street I found a little place that was still open. I went in, took a seat on one of the stools at the counter, and waited to be served. This was one of those sleazy places that deserves the name, "greasy spoon." I did not even touch the menu. I was afraid that if I opened the thing something gruesome would crawl out. But it was the only place I could find. The fat guy behind the counter came over and asked me, "What d'ya want?" I said I wanted a cup of coffee and a donut. He poured a cup of coffee, wiped his grimy hand on his smudged apron, and then he grabbed a donut off the shelf behind him. I'm a realist. I know that in the back room of that restaurant, ...