For the time being I'm suspending posts on this blog (I know, I've really been "suspended" for a long time already). I will keep it alive in case I decide to come back to it later. I've started a new blog if you're interested at the following address:
http://tim-harris.blogspot.com/
Hello
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Psalm 23:1-3 From The CHV (Caleb Harris Version)
For the Young Men's Training Class at church on Sunday evenings we have been teaching Caleb a new verse each week. Most of the kids are older than Caleb so they read a scripture, but he can't read yet (he's learning words in kindergarten now) so we give him a new verse to say. He gets up there with his Bible and rather than reading he just quotes the verse.
Well we've been working on Psalm 23 for the past few weeks. Tonight he added Psalm 23:3. Here's the first three verses in the NKJV:
"The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake."
He had done pretty well in practicing verse 3 and he knows the first two verses well. But tonight his version of verse 3 was:
"He leads me in the paths of nitrous-ness for His name's sake."
I try very hard not to laugh when any of the kids messes up because I don't want them to become self-conscious and quit trying, but I pretty much lost it on that one. Kids do say the craziest stuff, especially when there's an audience.
Well we've been working on Psalm 23 for the past few weeks. Tonight he added Psalm 23:3. Here's the first three verses in the NKJV:
"The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake."
He had done pretty well in practicing verse 3 and he knows the first two verses well. But tonight his version of verse 3 was:
"He leads me in the paths of nitrous-ness for His name's sake."
I try very hard not to laugh when any of the kids messes up because I don't want them to become self-conscious and quit trying, but I pretty much lost it on that one. Kids do say the craziest stuff, especially when there's an audience.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Return from the House of Mourning
Ecclesiastes 7:2 says,
"Better to go to the house of mourning
Than to go to the house of feasting,
For that is the end of all men;
And the living will take it to heart."
Late yesterday evening we returned from the house of mourning. Last Saturday night (10/6) my uncle was shot and killed in front of the shop he owned where he worked as a mechanic. It is a sad, sad story. He was 49 years old. The police have arrested his wife. The police haven't found the gun, but they have found enough circumstantial evidence to make the arrest.
So Holly, the kids and I travelled to be with the family Thursday for the wake and the funeral was yesterday afternoon. The funeral home was packed. I wasn't sure how many people to expect, but apparently my uncle was well respected in the community where he lived. It was good to see family I hadn't seen in a long time. Some possibly five years or more.
But as much as my uncle was apparently loved within the community, he was unprepared to meet the Lord. The vast majority of my this side of my family are either non-Christians or unfaithful. But there are several faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who were there, and for us it was our realization of my uncle's probable eternal dwelling place that we wept most.
At the funeral very little was said of my uncle. Sadly, there was probably very little that could have been said. He was a hard worker. He was an honest man, loyal to his friends. He loved dogs. He loved to fish. I don't know of much more I could have said. But the good news was that the minister did preach the gospel to all who were there.
As I sat on the fourth (and last) row of the family "Reserved" section, I wondered what type of ground the Seed was falling on as the minister spoke. As I watched the reaction of my family, a few cried, one appeared to visibly reject the Word, but most sat expressionless, staring forward.
I pray that my family will think about their condition before GOD and the words that the minister spoke. I ask you to please pray for them as well.
"Better to go to the house of mourning
Than to go to the house of feasting,
For that is the end of all men;
And the living will take it to heart."
Late yesterday evening we returned from the house of mourning. Last Saturday night (10/6) my uncle was shot and killed in front of the shop he owned where he worked as a mechanic. It is a sad, sad story. He was 49 years old. The police have arrested his wife. The police haven't found the gun, but they have found enough circumstantial evidence to make the arrest.
So Holly, the kids and I travelled to be with the family Thursday for the wake and the funeral was yesterday afternoon. The funeral home was packed. I wasn't sure how many people to expect, but apparently my uncle was well respected in the community where he lived. It was good to see family I hadn't seen in a long time. Some possibly five years or more.
But as much as my uncle was apparently loved within the community, he was unprepared to meet the Lord. The vast majority of my this side of my family are either non-Christians or unfaithful. But there are several faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who were there, and for us it was our realization of my uncle's probable eternal dwelling place that we wept most.
At the funeral very little was said of my uncle. Sadly, there was probably very little that could have been said. He was a hard worker. He was an honest man, loyal to his friends. He loved dogs. He loved to fish. I don't know of much more I could have said. But the good news was that the minister did preach the gospel to all who were there.
As I sat on the fourth (and last) row of the family "Reserved" section, I wondered what type of ground the Seed was falling on as the minister spoke. As I watched the reaction of my family, a few cried, one appeared to visibly reject the Word, but most sat expressionless, staring forward.
I pray that my family will think about their condition before GOD and the words that the minister spoke. I ask you to please pray for them as well.
Friday, September 14, 2007
The Altar and the Door (Part 2)
Perhaps my favorite track on the album is entitled "Slow Fade". I think the song really speaks to where so many in our country are right now, especially fathers who abdicate their responsibilities every day -- and it speaks to me personally because there are close friends of mine who are slowly fading into the world. This is a track you really have to listen to in order to fully appreciate it.
I'm reminded of something John Eldredge had to say in "Wild at Heart" (pp. 50-51) regarding the failure of Adam in the Garden:
"Adam fails; he fails Eve, and the rest of humanity. ... He is standing right there, watching the whole thing unravel. What does he do? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. He says not a word, doesn't lift a finger. He won't risk, he won't fight, and he won't rescue Eve. Our first father -- the first real man -- gave in to paralysis. He denied his very nature and went passive. And every man after him, every son of Adam, carries in his heart now the same failure. Every man repeats the sin of Adam..."
Now, here are the lyrics to "Slow Fade".
Be careful little eyes what you see
It’s the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it’s the little feet behind you that are sure to follow
It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It’s a slow fade, it’s a slow fade
Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray
It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you’re thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking
It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day
Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
Men, fight for your wife...for your family...for your soul! Every day! Don't stand by and watch them fade.
I'm reminded of something John Eldredge had to say in "Wild at Heart" (pp. 50-51) regarding the failure of Adam in the Garden:
"Adam fails; he fails Eve, and the rest of humanity. ... He is standing right there, watching the whole thing unravel. What does he do? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. He says not a word, doesn't lift a finger. He won't risk, he won't fight, and he won't rescue Eve. Our first father -- the first real man -- gave in to paralysis. He denied his very nature and went passive. And every man after him, every son of Adam, carries in his heart now the same failure. Every man repeats the sin of Adam..."
Now, here are the lyrics to "Slow Fade".
Be careful little eyes what you see
It’s the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it’s the little feet behind you that are sure to follow
It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It’s a slow fade, it’s a slow fade
Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray
It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you’re thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking
It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day
Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
Men, fight for your wife...for your family...for your soul! Every day! Don't stand by and watch them fade.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
The Altar and the Door
A couple of weeks ago Casting Crowns released their latest CD entitled "The Altar and the Door". As you may know by now Holly and I really enjoy listening to Casting Crowns since we became aware of them a couple of years ago.
This album is really good. I don't like it as much as the "Lifesong" album, but I do like it a lot. There is so much I could say from listening to these songs. I am amazed at the talents these folks have and the quality of most of their songs.
The second verse of the first song, "What This World Needs", has the following lyrics:
What this world needs is for us to care more about the inside than the outside
Have we become so blind that we can’t see
God’s gotta change her heart before He changes her shirt
What this world needs is for us to stop hiding behind our relevance
Blending in so well that people can’t see the difference
And it’s the difference that sets the world free
How true! Jesus said, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." (Matthew 12:34) What we say, what we do, and what we wear are all a reflection of what is in our heart.
Jesus spoke a lot about the heart, for that is what GOD is most interested in. If He has our heart, our obedience will follow. The Pharisees couldn't see this. Jesus made it perfectly clear to them:
"Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." (Matthew 23:26-28)
The message is clear: guard your heart.
I'll say more about the album later.
This album is really good. I don't like it as much as the "Lifesong" album, but I do like it a lot. There is so much I could say from listening to these songs. I am amazed at the talents these folks have and the quality of most of their songs.
(As with anything spiritually-focused and man-made I caution you to be careful of false teaching. I cannot think of anything on this album that I disagree with off the top of my head, but we must always go to the Word for truth.)
The second verse of the first song, "What This World Needs", has the following lyrics:
What this world needs is for us to care more about the inside than the outside
Have we become so blind that we can’t see
God’s gotta change her heart before He changes her shirt
What this world needs is for us to stop hiding behind our relevance
Blending in so well that people can’t see the difference
And it’s the difference that sets the world free
How true! Jesus said, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." (Matthew 12:34) What we say, what we do, and what we wear are all a reflection of what is in our heart.
Jesus spoke a lot about the heart, for that is what GOD is most interested in. If He has our heart, our obedience will follow. The Pharisees couldn't see this. Jesus made it perfectly clear to them:
"Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." (Matthew 23:26-28)
The message is clear: guard your heart.
I'll say more about the album later.
Friday, August 24, 2007
After two weeks...still on green
In what is absolutely an answer to our prayers, after two weeks of school Caleb has stayed "on green" (see the last post). He is really enjoying school -- which is also a blessing -- but it's all "fun and games" in kindergarten anyway, at least so far. :-) He still enjoys getting up early, but I'm sure all that will change in a few years.
But I'm thankful it has been a smooth transition so far. It has been a welcome relief.
But I'm thankful it has been a smooth transition so far. It has been a welcome relief.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Caleb's first day of school
Today was Caleb's first day of kindergarten. I'm not typically that sentimental but I have to say that I did have a lot of emotions about this day. The primary question I've had in the weeks and days leading up to today was, "Is he ready? Have we prepared him well enough?" Although I'm certainly biased, I feel that Caleb is a wonderful kid. He's smart and friendly to people (most of the time, at least). But Holly and I have really had to work hard over the past five and a half years getting him to obey. He has just had a strong will -- stubborn, at times -- which has been a challenge.
We have not "spared the rod", by any means. In fact, I think we've gone through about ten rods along the way. He's made tremendous progress, but he still has a tendency to "get caught up in the moment" where he forgets to focus on the teacher/adult and follows along with other kids. My fear was that he might have that problem at school.
I have prayed a lot over the past few weeks that GOD would help us prepare him for this day where we wouldn't be there to watch him and make sure he obeys. I am thankful to say that, at least for this day, our prayers were answered with a "Yes!"
Caleb's teacher uses a "traffic light" system for helping enforce behavior with the kids. I imagine this is fairly common because I've heard others talk about it. She told us last week when we went of orientation and "open house" that if she had to get onto a child twice in one day they would move to yellow. Fighting, pushing and other "serious violations" would get them moved to red.
Sunday night Caleb prayed that GOD would help him stay on green. It was a great thing to pray for. When he came home this afternoon the first thing he said was, "Hey Daddy! Guess what! I stayed on GREEN!!!" I'm certain the LORD was watching over Caleb today.
But today was a big step toward letting go -- and toward Caleb growing up, and that is a bit hard to accept for me. I imagine it would be for just about any parent. I have certainly learned to appreciate more how GOD cares for and "fathers" us, and for the amazing risk He takes by letting us choose the path we will walk.
Well, I'm tired (not feeling too well today anyhow), so it's time for a little rest and a little NCAA 2008. I'll have more to say about all of this in the near future though.
We have not "spared the rod", by any means. In fact, I think we've gone through about ten rods along the way. He's made tremendous progress, but he still has a tendency to "get caught up in the moment" where he forgets to focus on the teacher/adult and follows along with other kids. My fear was that he might have that problem at school.
I have prayed a lot over the past few weeks that GOD would help us prepare him for this day where we wouldn't be there to watch him and make sure he obeys. I am thankful to say that, at least for this day, our prayers were answered with a "Yes!"
Caleb's teacher uses a "traffic light" system for helping enforce behavior with the kids. I imagine this is fairly common because I've heard others talk about it. She told us last week when we went of orientation and "open house" that if she had to get onto a child twice in one day they would move to yellow. Fighting, pushing and other "serious violations" would get them moved to red.
Sunday night Caleb prayed that GOD would help him stay on green. It was a great thing to pray for. When he came home this afternoon the first thing he said was, "Hey Daddy! Guess what! I stayed on GREEN!!!" I'm certain the LORD was watching over Caleb today.
But today was a big step toward letting go -- and toward Caleb growing up, and that is a bit hard to accept for me. I imagine it would be for just about any parent. I have certainly learned to appreciate more how GOD cares for and "fathers" us, and for the amazing risk He takes by letting us choose the path we will walk.
Well, I'm tired (not feeling too well today anyhow), so it's time for a little rest and a little NCAA 2008. I'll have more to say about all of this in the near future though.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
