Author: Jon Harris

Do you get a thrill from finding the perfect gift for someone? For me, it is a fun challenge and exhilarating when I have an idea as to what to get the person. I think about how they will be surprised, how much I love them, that they’ll know I know them well, and how they will enjoy the gift. It is not about the amount of money spent; the joy comes from the thought and act of giving.

My wife and I love to cook which means there are endless gift options in the realm of food preparation and serving. On a recent shopping excursion, I was on a high with excitement while browsing a pan that she had been wanting for a long time. It was the best color, heavy-duty, and had a classic and timeless appearance. I knew she’d love it and I couldn’t wait to use it as well.

Then I experienced something unexpected: A reminder of my mortality. The sales representative said, “This pan will last at least forty to fifty years”. While that’s a great selling point as to the quality, it hit me that the pan will outlive us, or at least outlive our capacity to whip up a clever and delicious meal. Do I really want this pan in my home, this reminder of my mortality? I thought, “Great, I’m jealous of an inanimate object.”

Knowing that God is in every life circumstance I took a deep breath and turned it over to him and this brought me peace. He’s in control. All of our days are numbered by him. Why waste another moment with morbid thoughts? Be grateful for this day. God didn’t promise an easy or even a long life. He did promise to give us peace beyond understanding:

“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

Instead of a morbid symbol of mortality, the pan now sits in our home as a reminder of God’s peace, the gift of each new day, a reminder of the pleasure of the smell of food, and the joy that comes with breaking bread with loved ones.

In today’s reading, God makes several promises to Abram and Abram’s response was faithful and honorable to God:

And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. (Genesis 15:6)

Consider the promises of God and his plans for you. Ultimately, all of God’s promises from the Old Testament are fulfilled in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I pray you find peace and joy in the best promise of all, salvation through Jesus Christ.

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. (2 Corinthians 1:20)

Each day brings a new opportunity, usually unexpected, for all of us to face our fears and lean on the promises of God. He loves you, he has a plan for you, and he will never let you down.

Today’s reading: Genesis 12-15; Psalm 148; Mark 5

While populating the electronic form for a tourist visa there was a field labeled Religion * with the asterisk indicating a required field. It is a strange and even uncomfortable thing to consider that to go to this place, you absoutely must indicate your religious beliefs. This caused me to pause for a moment as we are traveling to a communist nation that is not very tolerant of Christians. The pause brought me to reflection as to the importance of the answer, an eternal answer not to be taken lightly.

While I wanted to be smarty and say “I am not religious, I am a follower of Jesus Christ”, I typed “Christian”. So many thoughts went through my mind while I responded. Just one word with so much meaning and power. Follower of Jesus Christ. Forgiven. Chosen. Child of God. No power on this earth or beyond, no government, no one can take this away. The application was submitted without shame or fear as our God is eternal and all-powerful and he will be there with us.

And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. (Revelation 17:6)

There have been Christian martyrs before and there will be many to come. They all typed “Christian” and are (or will be) washed clean and deemed innocent on judgment day which is one day closer today than it was yesterday.

They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14)

Will you be with him and be called chosen and faithful?

Today’s reading: Job 24-27, Revelation 17

We arrived at the train station late in the evening to pick up our vehicle after a long, enjoyable weekend as part of my birthday celebration. While approaching the car, it seemed odd that when I used the remote, the lights didn’t turn on. After pressing the remote another time and no lights, I knew something was wrong.

Unfortunately, the vehicle was targeted by criminals based on the value of its electronics. First, they smashed the driver’s window so they could enter, and then they stole most of the electronics (navigation, driver instrument panel, entertainment) and even the driver’s airbag. The car was no longer driveable. Happy birthday Jon.

It was late at night and no taxis, ridesharing, or buses were available, and our friends were unavailable to pick us up. With no other options, we walked 2.2 miles home with our suitcases and backpacks. To overcome some anger we decided to think positively: We had each other, the car was insured, we were walking off some of the extra calories from the fun weekend, and it wasn’t raining.

It has been several weeks since this event and the car is still in the hands of the repair facility. I keep wondering… when will our car be restored? The other problem is that while the car can be restored, this situation could happen again.

This is all to say that we live in a broken world where restoration is only temporary but there will be a day when we become fully restored through the blood of Jesus. Fully in awe and fully thankful for God’s goodness, mercy, love, and power forever (see Revelation 7:12). It will be a glorious day.

Until that day, keep watching, keep preparing, keep being faithful and sharing your faith, and keep praying.

Today’s reading: Nehemiah 7-9, Psalm 140, Revelation 7

It was a dark and stormy morning in Bloomington, Illinois as we boarded the plane for Chicago. Prior to takeoff, the pilot announced that we were going to go around the thunderstorms while en route to O’Hare. Good idea captain!

The small regional jet took off and at first, it was just a little bumpy, then not too long into the flight it got really, really bumpy. Surrounded by lightning, the jet shook and bounced like I’d never experienced before. If we were actually going “around” the storm, I’d hate to know what going through a storm was like.

I was stricken with fear and made eye contact with several other passengers who were nearly as terrified as I was. My hands are feeling a bit sweaty right now even as I type, recalling this event from nearly twenty years ago!

Next to me was a young lady reading the Bible. She looked at me and asked, “Is this bad?” I replied, “Bad?! Yes, this is very bad!” This really didn’t phase her at all and she went back to reading her Bible. She had peace. I did not.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. (1 John 4:18)

The experience on the flight was the trigger that finally influenced me to get serious about my faith. I had called myself a Christian for a long time but was lukewarm at best, and there were good reasons to be living in fear of punishment. All praise to God who uses people and situations to bring us closer to him, and I’m thankful for the faith of the young person who was sitting next to me. While turbulence and the storms of life can still be scary, it isn’t the same as it was twenty years ago because I know Jesus and I acknowledge him as The Son of God, and therefore I know peace.

This Sunday I’ll once again briefly recount this story in front of our local church body as I confess my faith in Jesus Christ as part of officially becoming a member of the church. That’s my story. What’s yours? Do you have peace?

Today’s reading: Zechariah 6-8; 1 John 4

I recently visited my son Peyton whom I’ve not seen since he left for college about two months ago. After that, I visited my father whom I’ve not seen for several months.

Peyton is of course not exactly like me, but we are a lot alike. We have been a very close family since he was born. We share similar values, and he looks like me in some ways. I know very well the sound of his footsteps and could literally spot him from a mile away based on his posture and walk.

Like my observations and relationship with Peyton, my father and I have many similarities. He’s been my teacher and mentor ever since I could remember. My father humbly and quickly makes new friends and acquaintances. He is outgoing, kind, and genuinely wants to get to know people and make them laugh so I strive to be like my father in these ways.

I could easily say that because of our similarities, if you don’t like my dad and/or if you don’t like Peyton, then you won’t like me. Conversely, if you don’t like me, well, you probably won’t like my dad or Peyton.

Whoever hates me hates my Father also. (John 15:23)

Jesus lived to please his Father God by following his commands, loving and serving others as directed by God. Jesus, while king, came not to be served but to serve (ref Matthew 20:28). Jesus lived without sin yet he was still hated without cause (ref John 15:25). He was hated because we wanted (and still want) to do things our way with no repercussions. He told it like it is, and he taught the will and ways of his father. He and the father are one. He was the utmost example of perfection, God in the flesh, and so it rings true when Jesus said that if we hate him, we hate his father.

John 15 closes as follows:

And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. (John 15:27)

This is our opportunity to walk and live with the Holy Spirit in us as he guides and speaks the truth into this world. For us to trust and obey. For us to bear witness with our lives honoring God instead of ourselves and our idols, not with our lips but with our actions and full hearts.

Today’s reading: Ezekiel 43-45; Psalm 135; John 15

A story is “a character who wants something and overcomes conflict to get it”. That’s the definition of a story as written by Donald Miller in the book “A million miles in a thousand years”.

What is the story of your life? We all want something, and we all face conflict. I spent some time thinking about “what I want” in my own life story and one thing I want is to love and be loved. To get what I want I am intentionally vulnerable thereby facing the “conflict” of risk of being hurt. You cannot have real love, real life, or a real good story unless you let your guard down and even allow the pain to shape you.

This isn’t referring to romantic love or to being loved by the masses such as a famous character; this is about a few deep personal relationships where there is meaning. In the relationships there are substories, there are adventures, there are sacrifices and selfless acts, and there is teamwork. We keep each other upright, we laugh without fear of embarrassment, we have old jokes and new memories, and there are traditions made and traditions broken. In these relationships we face pain, we fight for each other, we respect each other, we honor each other, and we are loyal almost to a fault. And when we wrong each other, we apologize and we forgive permanently and repeatedly. That’s what I think love is.

The author of Psalm 136 tells the story of God with gratitude for what he has done and for who he is. Each line ends by saying “for his steadfast love endures forever”. Notice that none of this points to a perfect life here on Earth. This Psalm exists to help us remember, for us to be grateful, and to give God the glory. I thought it would be fun to write my personal story in a similar fashion to Psalm 136 and I challenge you to do the same. Write to remember his love which endures, and that it endures forever.

God allowed me to be born into a loving family teaching me in the ways of Christ.
For his steadfast love endures forever.
I was blessed with an education.
For his steadfast love endures forever.
I have been blessed to have ample food, clothing, and shelter in my life.
For his steadfast love endures forever.
God blessed me with friends who love me.
For his steadfast love endures forever.
God allowed me to be relatively unharmed through the course of experiencing two separate vehicular rollover accidents.
For his steadfast love endures forever.
God answered my prayers by blessing me with a loving wife and loving children.
For his steadfast love endures forever.
Through my darkest hours, God gave me peace beyond understanding.
For his steadfast love endures forever.
He sent his son as a sacrifice for the millions of sins I’ve committed, and he forgave me.
For his steadfast love endures forever.
Through my failures, God has taught me.
For his steadfast love endures forever.
In times of joy, I’ve felt God celebrate with me.
For his steadfast love endures forever.
Through the Bible, God has revealed his will, his ways, his story, and his wisdom to me personally in a supernatural way.
For his steadfast love endures forever.

A story is a character who wants something and overcomes conflict to get it. Think about God as the character who wants a relationship with you and me. He overcame the greatest conflict known to mankind because of his love for us. That’s his story, that’s THE story. For his steadfast love endures forever.

Today’s reading: Ezekiel 13-15; Psalm 136; John 5

The anxiety settled in immediately after signing up for a road cycling event that was about twice as long as I’m accustomed to riding. What if I get too tired or there is too much pain and I can’t go on? What if I just do not like cycling for that long?

I raised these concerns with a friend who is much more experienced at road cycling than I am and his response reminded me why were are friends in the first place. First, he listened to my concerns. Next, he encouraged me and reminded me of some of my training and history which should indicate that I’d be okay. And the best part was that he took action, not just with words. He drove me to the event and rode alongside me throughout (and even loaned some of his equipment to me). We both completed the ride as planned and had a great time!

While reflecting on the cycling, I saw some parallels to the hope that I have in Jesus (with reference to 1 Peter 3:15):

1. There was a decision to be made. Ride or not. Choosing to ride could bring joy and satisfaction that I hadn’t experienced. Choosing not to ride would leave me to wonder and worse, to resent not taking a chance. And in faith, we all have a choice: Trust in what we see here and now, or take a leap and trust in the unseen.
2. I had to have faith that I’d complete the ride. While I had done some training to prepare, the only way to find out for sure was to let go of any fears and move forward. In the Christian faith, the more we let go of the things of this fleeting world, the more joy we experience and the less worry we have.
3. I was mentored by someone with more experience and wisdom about cycling. We all need Christian mentors to encourage and equip us along the journey.
4. There were indicators pointing me to the right decision. Historical longer rides, other training, acceptable physical examinations, the fact that there’d be help along the way. In faith, we have so many indicators pointing to our creator. Such as our beautiful planet and all of its wonders, the air we breathe is a perfect combination for our bodies, the feeling of love which oftentimes is unexplainable, the words of the Bible, and how they can be properly applied to all of life’s circumstances. There’s the fulfillment of prophecy through Jesus Christ, and the peace that has so many times overwhelmed me in times of crisis and times of certainty.

What are the reasons for the hope that is in you? Pray for an opportunity to share this with someone and be ready!

Today’s reading: 2 Kings 24-25; 2 Chronicles 36; Psalm 126; 1 Peter 3

A friend was recently speaking metaphorically about the manufacturing business and comparing it to the production of wine (where a business needs investments to run, grow, and continue to be relevant and profitable for a long period of time). To make wine you need seeds for the grapes, fertile soil, sunlight, water, attention to the vines, machinery, and a lot of equipment to store and ferment the juice until it is ready to be bottled. People are also needed for the care of the vineyard, harvesting the grapes, and executing all the various processes to ensure a successful (and delicious) final product. There’s also marketing, distribution, financial management, and much more. Without any of the necessary “ingredients,” there can be no success in the wine business.

That description has one important thing missing. Our sustainer, God almighty. Without his provisions, without the life he breathes into us, without his blessing, there is nothingness.

Today’s reading: Jeremiah 8-10; 2 Corinthians 11

Jeremiah 8:4-12 talks about false prophets, the sin of man, and God’s brewing anger. To paraphrase the sins (from the NLT version) we:

• Are even more sinful as we don’t turn away from our sins (v.4)
• Cling to our lies (v.5)
• Lie about everything and have no remorse (v.6)
• Do not know the Lord’s laws (v.7)
• Write lies about God’s word (v.8)
• Reject the word of the Lord (v.9)
• Are greedy and fraudulent (v.10)
• Superficially respond instead of being peaceful (v.11)
• Are unashamed of our sin (v.12)

As a result of these sins, God promises his judgment:

I will surely consume them.
There will be no more harvests of figs and grapes.
Their fruit trees will all die.
Whatever I gave them will soon be gone.
I, the Lord, have spoken!’ (Jeremiah 8:13)

I take too much for granted and am guilty of returning to the same sins over and over so this is a stark reminder of God our sustainer (everything good that we have comes from him) and that God’s anger and punishment are real.

Just one sin separates us from God, and therefore he has every right to punish us and take things away. Our sins put us into voluntary bondage and leave us with feelings of guilt and shame. Whether we admit it or not, there’s still that soft voice letting us know we are in the wrong.

What then shall we do?

1. Ask God to reveal our sins so that we can confess (telling him what he already knows to be true). Fill our hearts with gratitude for God’s love for us and what he has done and continues to do with us. Put all our hope and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Listen to the Holy Spirit speak to us and reveal a way out from our sin.
2. Stop sinning, stop trying to do it on our own, and put every situation in our lives through the lens of God’s word (The Bible). Therefore, don’t put up with false teaching. False teaching is anything that doesn’t align with God’s word. The early Christians were prone to this, and we can be as well if we are not careful. ^“You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.” – 2 Corinthians 11:4)
3. Watch out for Satan’s deceit as he is the ruler of lies. He loves to twist just the smallest of facts to lure us away slowly but surely from God. “But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)

Don’t lose hope or heart! Our God is the same today as he has ever been. He loves us more than we can comprehend, and with each new day, we have the opportunity to know him better, to become more like his son Jesus (through trust and obedience), to share him, and ultimately spend eternity with him. The more we fill our lives with God’s truth and light, the less room for sin. How will you choose today?

The header image comes from the packaging of a bean bag which arrived only one hour after I had decided on the title of today’s post so it was interesting to see the slogan “Comfort Comes As Standard”. Bean bags bring back a lot of memories for me as a kid so I’m super excited to try this out and give our recreation room an old-school look and feel!

True Comfort

The final chapter of a long-running affliction in my life was very recently completed. I feel relief and have regained some freedom, confidence, and a better hope for the future. Through it all, there have been dark days and long nights but God has been faithful all along. He’s brought comfort in the midst of suffering, he’s taught me so much about forgiveness, leadership, and his neverending love.

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

So that…

Whenever we see “so that” in scripture, it is a good place to pause and pay even closer attention. Oftentimes this reveals “the why”.

While God does bring us comfort, we need to remember that it is never “all about us”. He didn’t bring comfort for my sake only, he comforted me so that I could know him and be more like him, and therefore I too am called to comfort others in their afflictions. Who will you comfort today?

Similar to comforting others as God comforts us, we are called to forgive others. It is part of God’s perfect economy. Jesus didn’t die for just my sin but the sin of all mankind, the sin of the monsters and those whom we might call “good people”. Who will you forgive today?

This is also a reminder that if our priority is comfort-seeking, we may find it however earthly comfort is fleeting. If we first seek God’s kingdom and his ways, and do his will, only then do we find everlasting comfort.  

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

Today’s reading: Isaiah 60-63; 2 Corinthians 1