Author: Jon Harris

A new season is pending for our family – another move across the ocean back to the United States after over eight years living abroad in two different countries. I could share volumes as to the emotional roller coaster, how it impacts each of us individually, for my wife and me as a couple, and for us as a family, but the words aren’t there in this moment and the move is a few months out.

¹ God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
² So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea. (Psalm 46:1-2)

What is marking these times is the potential for stress and worry as the to-do list grows faster than the list of completed tasks, as the reality starts to set in, and as the “one last time” events occur.

Will our faith be shaken?

Will our God abandon us? Has he ever?

Will we be grateful for all that we have, for what God is doing and will do in our lives?

Are we putting Him in his rightful place as Lord and Savior?

Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! Romans 11:33

We are not and will not be defined by our circumstances – no matter how joyful or painful. What defines us today and every day, in this season and the next, is how we respond. We have already seen miracles and have been blessed by the encouragement of so many people who know our story and care about us. Kind words from lifelong friends as well as people we barely know or haven’t had contact with for many years, offers to help, prayers, and more.

These beautiful and warm responses have come just at the right time, when it seemed like we were barely holding on, and for that we say thank you, and we praise God for you. These are reminders of God’s love, that we don’t deserve it yet he gives it freely. These are also reminders for us to love and encourage others along the way.

My prayers at this time are that people see our faith in action, that we give God the glory, that we draw nearer to him and to each other. I pray that our faith is authentic, that all of this will influence others to see Christ in us and want to understand the reasons for our faith.

“Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.” (Psalm 46:10)

This is also another reminder to pray for our nation on its 250th birthday, for us as a nation to turn to our Creator, to embrace the principles that the United States was founded upon, and to be grateful for the freedom that we have.

In recent interactions with two different professionals who were competing for our business, one major thing stood out – humility vs. pride.

One spoke with genuine care “I want what is best for you”. The other criticized the competition and told me he was the best.

This contrast reminds me of Luke Chapter 7 where we see powerful examples of people demonstrating humility – not the kind that is spoken, but the kind that comes from the heart.

There’s the Roman centurion who requested Jesus to heal his servant. The centurion was quite powerful in that he led soldiers (v8) and was a supporter of the Jewish people and built the local synagogue (v5). This centurion could have easily summoned Jesus or anyone to go anywhere at any time, yet he deemed himself unworthy to have Jesus under his roof (v6).

There’s also the “sinful woman” who wept at the feet of Jesus, wiping his feet with her tears and her hair, and with expensive ointment (v38). At the same time, there were others in the scene who were arrogant and criticized Jesus for his approach. Jesus was a guest at this meal, so the people who criticized him should have been the first to show him kindness, mercy, and grace.

Some takeaways:
1. It was easy to identify who was “in the right”, however I know I’m guilty of being prideful.
2. Both in business and in scripture we see the benefits of humility, from winning the deal to physical healing, answered prayers, and forgiveness of sins.
3. Our ultimate example is Jesus – the humblest person who ever lived. He was perfect, he raised people from the dead, he healed, he forgave, all in the face of betrayal and objections by various leaders and angry sinful people (like every one of us sometimes).

In the end, humility deepens trust, fosters genuine connection in any relationship (whether human or spiritual), and paves the way to grace and mercy. It is not our acts nor how people see us on the outside, but our hearts. Humility brought Jesus to death on a cross and to the resurrection, all so that we too can have eternal life should we choose to be humble enough to call him Lord.

My wife and I recently took a long weekend to travel, enjoy some downtime, and visit some places we’ve never been. There were many highlights of the trip, such as easy flights, a scenic road trip in a rental car, great food, craft beer, and we met some nice people along the way. On the final night of the trip, we went to see our favorite band play a sold-out concert at a large venue. It was fantastic!

Upon checking out of our hotel the next morning, we went to the parking deck to retrieve our rental car, and something immediately caught our attention: A piece of paper underneath one of the windshield wipers. Not a good sign.

The paper was a handwritten note with an apology: “So sorry, I scuffed the front of your car while pulling out.” Fortunately, the person left her name (Wendy), address, and phone number so that we could figure out insurance, etc. As frustrated as we were that the car was banged up (eventually learning the damages were ~$1500), we were thankful that Wendy demonstrated integrity.

Less than two weeks later, our personal car was parked in a deck overnight, and the next day, we found the vehicle had been hit. The two incidents were hundreds of miles away, yet the same scenario – the front corner of the vehicle was sideswiped. Unfortunately, this time the other driver lacked integrity; there was no note, no apology, no accountability.

Think about the impact and reach of each decision. Wendy came clean and while it was negatively impactful from a financial perspective, she lives with honor and character, knowing she did the right thing – and best, when no one was looking. We are here on this planet for a reason, and each interaction, each choice, is an opportunity to live out that purpose either for God’s plan or deny it. As the recipient of Wendy’s honesty, I really wasn’t even upset about the accident. I was thankful and felt bad for her.

The other person left with guilt and shame. While this person likely felt like he or she was getting away with something, in the end, that guilt piles up, eats at us, and is tough to shake. As for me, it was a bit harder to forgive this person. I had some initial angry thoughts, “what kind of person…” but then saw this as a metaphor for faith and hope, and a reminder that we’ve all sinned so who am I to hold back forgiveness from someone who has hurt me – even those I don’t know?

My old fitness training shoes were in serious need of replacement as I used them several hundred times over the years. They were quite beat up and well past their end of life.

Confession: I was tired of them, so even if they did look great, I’d have wanted new ones anyway.

Once I finally decided to replace them, the process was easy. A few clicks, a second opinion from my coolness-judging wife (she ruled in favor of “cool”), a quick double-check on sizing, and the order was placed. I couldn’t wait for my new shoes to arrive! Then the next day, an email confirmation provided the estimated delivery date: two more days. That would mean three more days until I could wear them to the gym in the morning. In our world of same-day or next-day delivery, this seemed ridiculously long.

The irony wasn’t lost on me. Those shoes had been past their prime for months. I was the one who delayed replacing them – yet here I was, impatient over having to wait a couple more days.

Have you ever noticed how easily this happens?

In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:23-24)

In John 16, Jesus is preparing his disciples for his departure and the coming of the Holy Spirit. He is teaching them to pray and ask, confirming they will receive so that they will experience joy.

How often do we get impatient with God when we don’t receive the timely response we want from our prayers? How often do we delay asking Him (or not even ask) about our heart’s desires? It is just like me with the shoes: The months of delay in ordering them were on me. What right did I have to be impatient regarding waiting a couple of days for the delivery?

What or who do you need to be praying for starting right this very moment?

This is being written from a heart that has been praying over a certain situation for a long time, where the answer is “no” or “not now”. While it has been frustrating and painful, one thing remains: the more I pray over this, the more peace I experience. This is teaching me daily to rely on Him: for His provisions, wisdom, grace, mercy, love, joy, and more.

Have my circumstances changed through these struggles? Not really, but I have, and that is what Christ is calling us toward: to grow closer to him and be more like him each day.

Would your friends, family members, or peers describe you as bold? Would you say you live a life marked by boldness in your personal life, your spiritual walk, and professionally? Questions like these challenge me toward reflecting where I am and the person I am becoming.

Many of us probably would say we are bold sometimes, and that we would like to be bolder.

What holds you back? For me it is fear: fear of failure, rejection, or embarrassment. And when I zoom out, I realize these fears are selfish in nature, and worse, they reflect a lack of reliance on God’s faithfulness.

And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. (Genesis 9:1)

This blessing is a fresh start after the flood and echos the same mandate God gave to Adam in Genesis 1:28. What stands out to me is God’s plans for us are always good (and often bold). He doesn’t command us to do things unless he is going to equip us to do those things. Who is bolder than our God? If he tells us to do something, we can surely be bold in trusting him.

Noah and his family were alive because they boldly obeyed God’s command through the building of the ark in the face of uncertainty and ridicule. Now, in their new reality, they were to move onto the next phase of bold faith to multiply and trust Him with whatever comes next.

Today’s questions:

1. How does God’s steadfast love steady my fears in this chapter?
2. What step of faith can I take?

As I read Genesis 9, I walk away with a deeper understanding of the magnitude of God’s plans for our lives. Too often I think too small, too short-term, and too fearfully, but that is not honoring to God. He loves us so much that he sent his only son to live and die for us so that we can be with Him for eternity. That is the God we can trust with bold obedience.

My “step of faith” is a renewed commitment to consider “boldness” (in Christ) through every situation this year. When sharing my faith, when it comes to small and big decisions, when I sense the Holy Spirit’s nudge to go forward, and when I think my way is better than God’s way.

Being bold isn’t always logical, and it isn’t even about sheer willpower because willpower eventually runs out. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, was the boldest of all, following the will of the Father as he lived, died, and was resurrected. May we approach every opportunity in the coming year with such selflessness that those around us see the hope we have in Him.

My family and I recently spent several days with my father who is suffering from dementia. His condition brings many hardships, including memory loss, lapses in judgment, confusion, physical instability, and even some erratic behaviors and emotions. We are also in the midst of selling his home as he and my mother are both in separate living quarters with the need for increased care.

On the other hand, the core of who my dad is has not changed – he possesses an unshakeable positive attitude, he is extremely grateful for all that he has, and he remains a committed Christ-follower.

As we age, life becomes seemingly more uncertain on a daily basis, but one thing remains: Jesus on the throne as ruler, savior, and King of All Kings.

 The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet.” (Psalm 110:1)

Knowing that my dad’s future is in Heaven changes everything. We didn’t want to move him out of his home, however each “home” is temporary until we get to Heaven. His road here on Earth will likely become more difficult, yet just like his unshakeable positive attitude, his faith is also unshakeable, and his future home is secured.

The same goes for the rest of us if we choose to follow Jesus. Is your future home secured?

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

What season of life are you in right now? Whether it is the mountain top of peace and joy or the valley of fear and sadness, know that you are loved and God is using this season to shape you.

“I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord.” – Psalm 77:1–2

Psalm 77 is written out of great distress. As the author “cries out”, we feel the deep despair and can even get a sense of hopelessness. We’ve all experienced the lowest of lows, and as I write to you today, there are things on my heart that have brought me to cry out, to ask God when will we be delivered, where do you want us, and what do you want from me in this season?

I was reminded of this today while listening to Pastor Rick Warren as he reflected on Mark 11:24: “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Pastor Warren pointed out that true faith means believing before we receive (noting that the verse calls for believing before receiving). That is hard when we are in the middle of the storm. Yet it’s in those very moments that God invites us to trust His promises even when they feel distant.

God hears our cries in both the good and the bad. He does not ignore us. He does not abandon us. His promises remain steady even when our circumstances shake.

No matter the circumstances, we can celebrate right now as the battle has already been won. Jesus defeated death for our eternal life, and that my friends is something to celebrate every day. I’ve found that the more I trust God through the storm – and even celebrate the coming victory, the more joy I experience once he has delivered me. The same goes for the contrary if my season was full of doubt, I wonder why I didn’t trust God more throughout.

Will you take the next step today to pray like Jesus called us to do? Trust God’s promises, he will never let you down.

After significant preparation, over a nine-day timespan, my wife and I traveled thousands of miles, taking multiple flights to bring our two sons to college in two different states – far away from home. We are now officially empty nesters.

This all comes with a rollercoaster of emotions and thoughts, and this is my attempt to take off the mask that I’ve been wearing through it all, and after returning to a quiet and empty home.

We have the satisfaction that we have reached a long-anticipated milestone. It was God’s plan and will for them to eventually leave the home to venture out and grow in wisdom and knowledge. For an eagle to soar, it must first leave the nest and learn to fly!

Along with the satisfaction comes gratitude as we reflect on our time as parents of babies, then young boys, and now men. We are grateful for these and more:  That we all know Christ and call him our Lord and Savior. We are thankful for our marriage, that we enjoy and love each other, and that we have each other through the ups and downs of this adventure. We are also especially grateful for the love and support given by friends and family who have checked in asking how things are going. I got choked up each time my wife would read a text from a friend – these are real friends, God bless each of you!

Our gratitude also results in joy for our sons, who were eager and ready for college. This time is many years in the making, and one year ago, we thought there was no way our youngest would be ready to go to college in a year. We were wrong: God answered our prayers for our son to grow, mature, and thrive academically and socially during his senior year of high school.

As reality sets in, there is no shortage of pain and sorrow. As with all of the beauty, there is also a sense of loss. There are empty bedrooms and artifacts left behind, the sports equipment that will likely never be used again, the high school yearbooks, and the boyish things that once meant so much are now symbolic of change. It is also painful that most of our sons’ grandparents are not healthy enough to fully embrace this next step with our family. Finally, one of the most impactful – daily meals as a family – typically the highlight of our day, will now be few and far between.

At the same time, there is a new sense of freedom. We see our sons maturing into men, craving and embracing their independence while also learning to accept the responsibility that comes with their choices. And for my wife and me, though our hearts feel heavy with the sense of loss, we are beginning to embrace what it means to have a calendar no longer defined by high school schedules – start and finish times, exams, breaks, sports, and ceremonies. We booked some travel for a few weeks from now, knowing it will be bittersweet but also a step into this next season of life together.

We know we are not supposed to worry. We are also human, and we are prone to ask lots of questions and wonder if we did the right things along the way: Did we teach them well? Were we the best parents we could be? Do we need to apologize for anything? What if he is unhappy at his chosen university? How will we make the best financial decisions in these expensive years?

Writing this has helped me peel back the mask and recognize the beauty of God’s plan and love for us, even in the silence of an empty home. And as I sat with these thoughts, here is the scripture that inspired this post. I read this as a prayer for us and other families going through similar and other difficult situations.

Dear Preston, Dear Peyton, Dear Amy,

¹⁴ When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father ¹⁵ the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. ¹⁶ I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. ¹⁷ Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. ¹⁸ And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. ¹⁹ May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

²⁰ Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. ²¹ Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21)

What tempts you? When I think of the word “temptation”, ice cream comes to mind, as I can think of places where I’ve lived or visited that had an ice cream store or brand with the word temptation in it. In a Google search on temptation ice cream, over 2.2 million results were returned. That’s a lot of temptation!

One thing I’m tempted by is snacks late at night. I sneak them, and I’m pretty good at hiding my habit. Unfortunately, I became too good at this habit and realized something needed to change. Tactics that have led to success include confessing to my wife that I love to sneak treats so that she can be on the lookout, and maybe more importantly, I commit or “pre-decide” in advance to staying away from the treats.

It is the same thing with pre-deciding for everything else, whether doing the things we should do or fleeing from the things we should not do.

On my heart while writing this post were some of the lyrics from the song “Do it Again” by Elevation Worship:

I’ve seen You move, come move the mountains
And I believe, I’ll see You do it again
You made a way, where there was no way
And I believe, I’ll see You do it again

Praise God for this promise and the countless times he’s given us a way out:

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT)

So when temptation comes—and it will—remember that you’re not alone. Jesus was tempted, yet he never sinned, but fear not, his grace runs deep. Whether it’s late-night snacks or something deeper, God is faithful in the midst of it all. Pre-decide your response, lean into His strength, and trust that He will make a way. You’ve seen Him move before. You’ll see Him do it again.

When you were a child, do you remember your parents looking after you? Do you have specific memories of places, events, or timelines where you knew someone had a watchful eye on you?

For example, I grew up swimming all the time. Lakes, pools, rivers, hot tubs and so on. During that time I didn’t always look to see where my parents or caregivers were, but there was always someone paying attention. With this there was also to an extent, an amount of freedom to do what I wanted. There were times when I wanted my parents to be watching and then other times I didn’t want to get caught.

At this point in my life, I am longing for the days when I could have a meaningful conversation with my mother and father. There are things I want to tell them about my wife, my life, and their grandchildren. I want to hear their stories again about how they grew up, both the good and the bad.

Today’s reading: Psalm 33

¹³ The Lord looks down from heaven;
    he sees all the children of man;
¹⁴ from where he sits enthroned he looks out
    on all the inhabitants of the earth,
¹⁵ he who fashions the hearts of them all
    and observes all their deeds. (Psalm 33:13-15)

These verses should remind us that no matter the presence or relationship with our Earthly parents, our Father God is always watching us. He loves us more than we can fathom, and he wants us to call on him in the good and bad times.

What thoughts come to mind when thinking about the fact that God is always watching? Probably some mix of fear (like I shared about not wanting to get caught), and hopefully some sense of warmth and love because of the extent God took to purchase our salvation.

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

If there are feelings of dread or fear, it is usually because of some hidden or unconfessed sin. This week, I took an inventory of my life as to the things that are hindering my relationship with God. I asked him to reveal my sins to me so that I may confess and ask for forgiveness. The many thoughts that came to mind were daunting, but there is so much freedom when we come clean and admit our wrongs to the one who already knows what we did.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT))

Let us remember that God’s watchful eye is not one of mere surveillance, but of love. Regardless of our memories of those who nurtured us, we can always come to our Heavenly Father for forgiveness, wisdom, grace, mercy, love, a warm embrace, and much more.