Michael Harrison's e-devotion

  Greetings from Jerusalem.  As I write this it is almost midnight Wednesday which means it is almost 5pm back home.  I am simply trying to think through an incredibly long and inspiring day here in Israel. I am grateful for this opportunity and for the learning.  I am grateful to be able to walk in some of the same places that Scripture speaks about and where Jesus walked and taught.  That would be places like the upper room where the last supper took place and a few other powerful places inside the old city of Jerusalem. This morning our group of more than 1,000 pastors and church leaders gathered where the attaches of October 7, 2023 took place.  That day there was a music festival going on out in a rural area when Hamas began to bomb and terrorists did unspeakable things.  More than 360 people died at the festival that day.  We then went to a small town not far away where terrorists also attached.  A police officer led us through the stre...

There are has been much shared about an awful murder in Georgia.  People are outraged because the two white men who killed the black man were at first were not charged for what they did.  That has since changed. My heart hurts for something like this.  It was a senseless act on an innocent man going for a run in his own neighborhood.  We must speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.  Also, we should not let opportunities pass to speak up, to right wrongs and to encourage right things to happen. Here is a quote from Twitter by Pastor Andy Stanley: I’ve been advised not to post about the murder of Ahmaud Arbery until I calm down a bit. But that’s part of the problem, isn’t it? We calm down and go on about our business. This must end. Our black brothers and sisters need white advocates to bring this to an end. Count me in! I agree wholeheartedly with Stanley.  The video from the event is clear. ...

This is one of those days that stands out for a few reasons.   A couple of those have touched my heart.   There is much and many to pray for. Pray for those impacted by the hurricanes of recent days and for those who will possibly be in the path of the storm headed this way.   Many have lost their homes.   Some have lost their lives.   Resources and helpers are being mobilized to help. Another part that hits close to home is the repeal of DACA.   This is not intended to be a political conversation, but what it does is point to the thousands of students and workers that might lose their jobs and possibly be sent back to the countries where they were born. You may have an opinion in this matter as I do, but this conversation and what has happened leads often to debate and ridicule.   That could not be further from what I want from what I share today.   I simply want to point out the pain in the world.   This will hurt families a...