Michael Harrison's e-devotion

"Thank you!" Do you what kind of difference that one little phrase makes?  It could change a situation from a negative to a positive.  It could change someone’s mind from doing something to stupid to living a good life for a change. It only takes a little breath, a little effort, a very short bit of time, but it might be as powerful as a bomb going off.  A bomb?  Where did that come from? James 3:5-6  NLT   In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. Our tongues are powerful.  But that doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense.  When I eat ice, my tongue gets numb, and it is hard to talk.  I remember going to the dentist, and it seemed that my tongue went to sleep...

  Let me tell you about my Jesus.  Yes, you heard that correct. It is personal, as my friend JT has said so many times.  Jesus is my savior, my friend, my gift from God and so much more.  That is what or who I want to tell you about. The conviction of my heart that leaves me changed as well as convinced that God loves me so much.  Without this understanding I am stuck and in loads of trouble.  That is why I come to you today, on Friday, headed to the weekend so that the enemy cannot convinced you otherwise. Here is the song My Jess: Are you past the point of weary? Is your burden weighin' heavy? Is it all too much to carry? Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus Do you feel that empty feeling? 'Cause shame's done all its stealin' And you're desperate for some healin' Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus He makes a way where there ain't no way Rises up from an empty grave Ain't no sinner that He can't save Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus His love is stro...

As I was running yesterday I saw a lady outside of a local business wearing a shirt that caught my attention.  On her shirt I read these words… Every Addict Matters.  I was caught by and held on to that statement. This past year I met a man who speaks around the country that shares a message he calls “You Matter”.  That man is Bobby Petrocelli.  That statement has stuck with me since that last fall. Another reason why that lady’s statement caught my attention is because of our commitment to serve people who are battling addiction.  Our transitional homes for homeless men offer help for those in addiction.  Our church has hosted recovery ministry for many years.  Currently that is Celebrate Recovery that meets on Tuesday’s at 7pm. Recently one of the men we have been serving passed away due to a relapse of addiction.  His death hit me hard as do the tough times that so many we are close to have hit.  Addiction is a very difficult and a very re...

  Dear Jesus, I am writing to say what I have said before, but this day, as many others, I am convinced at how blessed I really am.  It is evident that I would not be blessed without you. Thank you for your love.  I know every day that you love people.  You do a better job at loving my family than I can ever do.  But you have taught me how to really love and love good.  No matter what goes on you have convinced me that I am loved. Thank you for caring for the world.  The verses about you seeing people and having compassion on them reminds me to see the world differently and serve when I can.  Help me to see even more the way you see and with great compassion.  Let me judge less and care more.  Thank you for caring for me and my family.  May others find a little of that through me. Thank you going ahead of me.  You know this but I make messes.  Figuratively and literally I have made messes that you have helped with and clea...

Some of the people that influence my life don’t go to church. Many of the people who do influence me are in church often. But those who aren’t in church very often are some of the finest and most giving people that I know.  Some have a history in church.  Not very good ones.  Others haven’t been to church but a hand full of times. What I find most intriguing in our conversations is that Jesus is present and faith is real. We don’t talk from a position of judgment but more of purpose.  Their acts of kindness and friendship mean a lot to me.  There is one thing that sticks out, and this one thing ought to be present in all of us. They are real. Being real is not often found in our world.  People are hiding who they are or what they have done or even what they think and feel. Jesus was real.  He spoke words of life and encouragement.  Real means transparent and honest. Fai...