From the Home Place

December 19, 2025

Another day with the high temperature and the wind gusts matching, both around 60!

How big is your God? Are there some things that even you god can’t do? – My God is all powerful! Are there some things that your god does not understand? – My God is all knowing! Do you often feel like your god is far away, too busy for you at times? – My God is always near and always caring! You see, the problem could be that you have a little god, while I have a great big GOD! Or could it be that too many people who confess faith in God, don’t really know God, and as such, don’t really experience God?

If any of the above statements describe you, may I suggest that you read the Bible. For within the Bible we find that God is all powerful, all knowing, and always available to those who come to Him through Jesus Christ. There is a real difference between knowing about God, and knowing God.

I would like to share a story with you that I first heard nearly forty years ago. “There was once a family who lived in a large city. This family went to church on Easter Sunday, a new church for them. They were so moved by the pastor’s message that the lady of the house suggested that they should invite the pastor to come to their home for lunch the next Sunday. The invitation was made and accepted.

The following Saturday found the lady of the house cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. The popular magazines were all put in a drawer. The large variety of video games were also stowed away. The television remote was hidden, along with the highlighted directory that revealed their favorite TV programs, most of which she was sure that their new pastor would not watch. After all was shinny clean, she dug around in the library and finally found the family Bible. It too was dusted off and then placed on the coffee table that usually held all of items that were now safely hidden.

As this lady thought about what she should be wearing when their pastor sat at their dining room table, she thought that she should probably wear a necklace with a cross on it instead of some of her designer jewelry. So, our dear lady got into her car and drove downtown to a very expensive jewelry store. Upon entering the store, she mentioned to the clerk that she was there to purchase a very nice necklace with a cross on it.

The clerk responded, ‘We have an excellent variety of crosses right over here. Do you prefer silver or gold? Do you want a cross with the little guy on it or not?’ Our dear lady made her purchase and proudly displayed both the cross and the Bible the next day when the pastor came for lunch.” I know, this is just a story. But, perhaps this is a story that is lived our each and every day all across America?

As long Jesus is the “little guy” on the cross, God will never be “Almighty God!” in your life. He will tend to be more of a lucky rabbit’s foot. You know, the God a person calls upon when said person cannot fix a situation by their own effort and influence. For such a person, they only have a small god.

Just like the little boy in the story below, God is only GOD if you are walking closely with Him. That means you often read His “love letter to you,” usually called the Bible. It also requires that you have a love relationship with Him through the person of Jesus Christ, not just through baptism, church membership, by being a “good” person, or any of the other methods that humanity has devised. To know God, we have to know Him on His terms. (John 14:6)

Knowing GOD with you, Neal