My wife and I had a wonderful dinner last night.  I cooked pork steaks on the grill, while she made some delicious jalapeno bread and stir fried a medley of vegetables.  It was so very nice being together again after her two-week, annual Army Reserve training in Wisconsin.   Charla felt so at home in her kitchen.  And what a blessing that is!  She loves to cook and I love to eat! In addition to enjoying a mix of savory flavors, we got caught up on everything that's happened while we've been apart.  Later, we talked about God's timing in our recent move here from Colorado.

We put our house on the market back in June of 2009 and trusted God with the sale.  Later that summer, Charla put out her resume for positions in Human Resources.  By October, our house hadn't sold, but she was hired by a company in Phoenix.  My parents who live in the area graciously offered to let her stay with them while I remained in Colorado for what I hoped would not be much longer.  Hope and reality can differ a bit especially when homes sales tend to drop of precipitously as fall and winter roll in.

I drove down to visit for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  A few couples looked at the house in January but no offers came in.  I drove down again for Valentine's Day weekend.  By May, we decided to put our house up for lease.  After only a few weeks, a nice family signed papers to rent for a year while we found a house to lease ourselves in Gilbert, Arizona.  The house had been on the market for almost a whole year with no offers!  And nine months is a long time to be away from your sweetheart.  It was almost as long and lonely as her 15-month train up and deployment to Iraq two years earlier.

With each passing wintry month I thanked God for his timing knowing that his ways are perfect even when I didn't understand.  Of course I did my share of grumbling and wondering what the hold up was.  Our other home sales were nothing like this.  I spoke in faith then; I can speak with some knowledge now.

While we each cooked our respective parts of our meal last night, we talked about some family situations and the expense of moving.  If you haven't relocated recently, moving isn't cheap! Renting a truck, first and last months rent, getting or replacing things we needed, utility deposits, etc. added up to thousands (thats thousands with a "TH" and two $$!).  Looking back over the previous months, we didn't have that kind of money available till after we got our federal and state tax money refunded back to us around April. Yikes!  I don't know how all that would've worked out before then.  But God knew the needs of our family and the finances required to move.  He didn't just snap his fingers and pay our expenses.  He helped us to wait.

Perhaps you find yourself in a time of waiting right now.  It's frustrating for sure isn't it?  But there may be important elements that need to come together first so that when it's the right time, everything will fit together properly.  Perhaps others have had to wait for me, and now it's my turn to wait for them.

Psalms 27:14 says to, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” 

Trust isn't really trust until it's put to the test and I reminded myself that God has never let us down before.  His track record is without flaw and his ways are perfect...even if I don't like them at the moment.  I did grumble a bit during all this, but I stopped myself and spoke life and faith. Murmuring didn't the get Israelites closer to their promised land now did it?  Quite the opposite!  I thanked God for his timing even though it didn't make sense then.  I understand more clearly now. A friend of mine rightly put it this way: The Lord is never late.  Rarely early, but never late.  How very true!

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We all have trusted people in our lives we'd share anything with. From personal information, to our past to our future plans, we'd spill our guts. While at the same time there are others we wouldn't give our numbers to, even though it's right there in the phone book.

Is God like that? Does he purposely share mysteries with some but not with others? You bet he does! He has the answer to every why, how, and when of our lives, but he will not share hidden secrets with just anyone.

In Matthew 13, Jesus spoke in parables to the crowds who came to hear him. Later, his disciples asked him why he spoke to the people in parables. Here's his answer: “...Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.”

Jesus purposely withheld important things from people. His reasons back then are the same reasons today...

...because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. (Matthew 13:13-15)

This was not unique to that crowd. Read a portion of Paul's letter to the established church at Corinth many years later...

“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”

Sharp words for elders and babes alike, and more spiritual meat, understanding, and healing forfeited because the church was carnally minded and couldn't receive it. Ouch!

Are we any different today?

In my travels here and there asking questions and observing, I've discovered a similar reality. In any church gathering in America, roughly eighty percent of the congregation hasn't prayed or read their Bibles at all the previous week or longer. Let me restate that to be clear: on average, only 20% of any church, anywhere, has a regular time of prayer and Bible reading. The vast majority of us Christians regularly feed our hearts and minds a full plate of work with a side of office gossip, television, YouTube, and catchy music. And for dessert we'll opt for the latest bestseller or the 2-hour Hollywood version. We're more fluent in Facebook than God's Book and our affections are located in the mall rather than above this world where Christ sits. If we're wondering why we can't hear God, that's why. Our fleshy nature is sharp as a tack while our spiritual man is going deaf and blind.

Whatever we regularly allow into our lives collects on the walls of our heart till there's no room for anything else. That can be either good or bad, but let's be honest with ourselves about the outcome. Ears dulled by worldly wisdom can't hear what the Spirit is saying. Eyes blinded by sin won't perceive a miracle before them. And a stoney heart laden with the cares of this life cannot beat with understanding. We're kidding ourselves if we think reading a few verses on Sunday is getting us anywhere spiritually.

The last post was really long, so I'll keep this one shorter and leave off with this:

Will God want to share mysteries with me if I'm more in love with the world than I am with him? The answer is no, he won't. The Savior will pass me by and give hidden secrets to the likes of the young girl who knelt down before him on a dusty floor. The one who washed his feet with her tears and dried them off with her hair.  Eavesdrop on what her Lord shared with her in Luke 7:36-50...


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There's a popular cable show called “Ghost Hunters” on the SyFy channel. It follows the investigations of The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) Led by Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson. People who have bizarre things happening in their homes contact TAPS for help. When TAPS arrives on location, they perform scientific investigations with a wide array of equipment. 

Sometimes the noises coming from the basement aren't from a ghost, but from loose water pipes banging against the wall. At the end of each show, Jay and Grant present their findings to the homeowners. Often times they are relieved to know that they only have electrical issues with the house. In other cases, they recommend that the family contact a minister or priest for help because a can of Raid isn't going to help their situation.

I'm not necessarily recommending the show, but it is interesting. Strange things happen that don't have a “natural” explanation. It's not normal; it's paranormal. In Job 4, Eliphaz recounted this incident to Job: “Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up...”

In Matthew 14, the disciples were in a ship on the sea at night when Jesus came to them walking on the water. “And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.” They got the idea of a spirit from somewhere. “Interesting” things happen all the time and all over the world, yet the scriptures don't really offer much information about what's behind these unexplainable occurrences.

But the Bible does talk about the Holy Ghost. Where are you on that subject? Some people seek the Spirit, while others preach against it. Others claim that the gift of the Holy Ghost was only for the apostles and not for us today. But what do you believe? And just as important, why do you believe what you believe? Are your conclusions based on hearsay, or have you searched it out for yourself? Are you fearful about this subject? You might be surprised at what the Bible says about the Holy Ghost.

Ezekiel prophesied, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” (Ezekiel 36:26-7)

Jesus said in John 8: 37-39, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”

John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

When we understand the purpose of the Spirit, whatever fears we might have should vanish. Some are nervous about speaking in tongues. May I offer this: The Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues isn't something man invented. If God has chosen tongues as a sign that people have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, then who are we to argue?

The Book of Acts is packed with interesting accounts of people receiving the Holy Ghost. The Jewish disciples (Acts 2), the people of Samaria (Acts 8), the gentiles (Acts 10), and disciples of John the Baptist (Acts 19).

I believe in a heaven and a hell because the Bible tells me about these things. I also believe in the Holy Ghost because the Bible tells me about this too. I can testify to the life changing power of his Spirit because I've received it just like many others have. Yes, I speak in tongues and pray in the Spirit, just like the Bible encourages.

The disciples were terrified that night when they saw something walking on the water toward them. They didn't know what it was. But it was Jesus! If fear is holding you back from from receiving the Holy Ghost, please understand this is Jesus too! It is the Spirit of Christ, a.k.a. the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of God, and the Holy Spirit! Don't be afraid of it. Rather, be filled with it!

Contained within this single verse is a prescription for mental and emotional health that no pharmacy in the world can duplicate. It bears medicine for the mind that is both free and priceless. Unfortunately, it will be overlooked today due to it's simplicity. Because the presence of God doesn't cost anything monetarily, many will dismiss it's value. Read that verse again. The path of life...joy...pleasures for evermore. Is anyone looking for these things? If there was a store having a sale on a case of Joy what would we pay? Is a hundred miles too far to drive to be shown the path of life? Fortunately, we don't have to pay great sums or travel great distances to obtain these things. We can find them in his presence.

This morning I finally stopped everything else and put God first. I paced through our quiet house in prayer, lifting up my hands in praise and gratitude. His sweet presence enveloped me and my eyes ran with tears. I worshiped the Lord, praying in the spirit and with my understanding, and was filled with his peace and renewed in my mind. I don't know what you experience in his presence, but I usually feel like my heart has been reset. I feel free, level, and sane again. A calm clarity washes over me that defies description.

There's nothing like the feel of his presence. Yet ironically, I'll go days without entering in. I get spiritually lazy and give hours away to various earthly distractions while my Heavenly Father only gets the remaining crumbs of a day already spent. That's sad. That's stupid! But it's the truth.

Aren't you glad you don't do this?

I've had the privilege growing up around wonderful elders who knew how to wait on God. They taught me the importance of praise – something the Lord inhabits – and the art of lingering in his presence. They showed me how to push aside the church program, slow down and take the time to entertain the Spirit of God. I know how to wait, though sometimes I don't. But when I do, I'm the better for it.

In Luke 10, Jesus visited the home of Martha and her sister Mary. Mary sat at Jesus' feet listening to his every word, while Martha busied herself doing other things around her house. Finally, a flustered Martha complained to Jesus that she was stuck doing all the work. She wanted Jesus to make Mary leave him and help her. Martha didn't get the response she was looking for.

“And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Mary lingered at the feet of Jesus and received from him things she wouldn't have otherwise. The same thing happens when we wait on the Lord as well. He has answers to questions, gives us joy, and realigns our priorities. We are refreshed and renewed by his Spirit and less likely to make important decisions with a carnal mind. He'll show us the path of life and give us peace that goes beyond understanding. He knows what's headed our way tomorrow or next week and what we'll need to get through it.

Isaiah 40:31 says, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” There is no better place to be than in the presence of God. And when we get there, let's not rush. The world can wait for a change. Let's linger and find the treasures only reserved for those who wait upon the Lord.

Potluck. A meal shared among friends where everyone brings enough of a dish to share with others, and no one person is responsible for everything. I just hear the word “potluck” and start to salivate. I can't help it. Every potluck I've been to has had great cooks bringing amazing dishes.  If you'll excuse me, I may need another helping of Sis. Mary's savory Swedish meatballs...

According to the scriptures, church is suppose to be a lot like a spiritual potluck. It's suppose to be a time of mutual edifying, giving, and receiving, and everyone should bring something. Paul summed up a church gathering like this:  "How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying" (1 Corinthians 14:26).

The church Jesus Christ came to build is dynamic and flexible. It has survived poverty, persecution and prosperity. People have met together in temples, in restaurants, by rivers and from house to house, every day of the week and sometimes twice on Sundays. And the purpose of us gathering together is for mutual benefit. Like a potluck, you bring something and I'll bring something. We'll actively encourage each other and we'll glorify God together. It is not a program for spectators.

Is there any part of our physical bodies we don't want working properly? I doubt it. In like manner, Christ wants all of his body functioning together under his direction. Each member of that body (eyes, ears, feet, hands, etc, ) has a place and a purpose. And that purpose is to edify one another, not to merely occupy a pew. We grow when we give to and receive from each other. Consider this exhortation about why we gather together:

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23-25.

By God's design, church is very participatory. The word “fellowship” by definition involves “partnership” and “participation.” When we gather together in Jesus name, we should all come together prepared to edify each other. Teachers should teach. Prophets should prophesy. Exhorters should give words of exhortation. Does this sound off the wall? Please read Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-14 and Ephesians 4, and see if you still feel that way.  Concerned about how this works in an orderly way?  We'll talk about that soon.  For now, know this: you are a valid and important part of the church and have worthwhile things to share.

I started ChristianHomeChurch.com as means of edifying the church to be the church. I plan to write, create videos, and invite others to contribute as well. If you have a comment, question, or a concern, please send an email and we'll address it in future posts. Let's pursue God together, both giving and receiving so that everyone will benefit.

So this is what I brought to the potluck. What did you bring?