J. Harris's

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According To Your Faith

On  two separate occasions, I prayed for the same things. One time, my prayers were answered exactly as I had prayed while the other time, my prayer was answered but not exactly as I prayed. I wondered what was the difference in those instances. Why did my prayers, which all related to the promises of God as revealed in scripture, come to pass once and not exactly the other time? So intrigued by this, I asked my husband about it one...

Eat Your Pie…

Apple pie, sweet potato pie, key lime pie, lemon meringue pie, and the one that most don’t willingly select: Humble Pie. Humble Pie eating moments are those moments that make you realize that you messed up, you were wrong, you made a poor choice.  No one ever says “Hmm, today looks like a great day to learn a lesson in humility.” But even those moments have a purpose. They are often needed to help us recognize our limitations, to see...

A Prayer for the New Year

Can you imagine being the same person you were in high school or college? As I think about starting a new year, there is much excitement that comes. But at the same time, there’s concern. I mean, will I have evolved into a better person, or even worse – will I still be the exact same? As I read Jeremiah 7:23-24, I see that instead of moving forward, the people went backward. Instead of growing in faith and learning from...

God’s Gift To You

On the morning of Christmas Eve, I rushed out of the house early to run errands and get last minute Christmas gifts. And in the midst of all the hustle and lists and spending, I failed to acknowledge the greatest gift of all.  On Christmas Day, in an effort to have everything perfect for the various celebrations, I again failed to see the gift of God. The Christ. Anointed One. Son of God. Immanuel – God With Us. Prince of...

What I Learned in Life’s Class

As a teacher, I am often more absorbed in teaching others and less focused on what I am learning. Self-reflection, though avoided by many, allows us to progress and grow from our triumphs and disappointments.   This year I learned valuable lessons, realized who I am and understood what I am made of. Here are 13 (in honor of 2013) things I learned this year, in no particular order. 1.         My story is not just mine. Sharing my story has the ability...

When I Can’t, God Can

Recently, I visited someone in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital. And while visiting, I overheard an announcement in the hallways of the ICU. A calm automated voice rang out from the loud speaker,  “This is a code blue. Paging all available staff to the second floor. This is a code blue. Paging all available staff to the second floor.” This message played for at least 6-8 times and I couldn’t help but wonder what a “code blue” meant...

The Future Awaits You…Walk to It

Today we will explore the final step in the Moving Forward Series as illustrated in John 5:1-11.  If you missed Step 1, 2 or 3 of the series you can read them here: Dear Future I’m Ready , It’s Time to Get Up and Take Up Your Bed. The final step to take if you are ready to move forward is: Walk – John 5:8-9 reads “Jesus said to him ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk. And immediately the man was made well, took up his...