From the Home Place

February 21, 2026

Yesterday started below zero, today we are already at 5 above zero, headed for 31 with plenty of sunshine to melt some snow.

As I sit here typing early in the morning, the world is under the canopy of darkness outside. Yet with great anticipation, I look forward to the sunrise that will soon bring light and warmth to this cold, dark world. When the sun begins to rise, which direction will I look to see the sky come alive with the first beam of light? I don’t know about at your house, but around here, we will all look to the East! 🙂

I constantly marvel that every person alive, will look to the east to see a sunrise. On this ‘ol ball of dirt, God has deigned the sun to always rise in the east and set in the west, the cycle of a day. Though North has always been the primary direction for navigation, the flow of life travels east to west. You see, it seems to me that we are born in the east, while our life ends in the west.

Hopefully, we are all aware that this world cannot exist without sunshine. On the day that the sun is blotted out, all life will cease to exist. So, as you rise this morning and look toward the east, realize that your Heavenly Father has given you another day in which to live life. But will you, though you are alive to read this note, and though God has given you another day of life, will you really live? Or will you just exist for another day? Remember my favorite saying, “Attitude determines altitude.” Rise up and live!

I’m sure you already know this little fact, but when a person’s body is buried, their head is to the west and their feet are to the east with the body on its back, so that when Jesus returns to call the body from the grave, the deceased will stand up out of the grave facing east, toward Jesus.

Not only does our sun rise in the east, but our Savior shall return in the east as well. When you get a good grasp on this, you will forever celebrate the light that rises in the east! At a very young age, I was taught that when the first beams of light start to shine in the east, it means that “she’s coming alive!” Though I didn’t realize it at the time, my Uncle Clayton was attempting to teach me the marvel of seeing a sunrise, and that I should live the new day full of opportunities.

So, if you get to see the sunrise this morning, celebrate that God has given you another day to live, not just exist. Find something special to do today by opening your heart as you open His word. As the Spirit of the Living God speaks to you through the Bible, allow it to bring new life into your soul. Allow the word of God to light up your most inner being, flooding across all of your life. Remember, Jesus has told us, “Let your light shine so that others will see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.”

Today, let the Son shine within you, so that He can shine through you. And if you do that, your life will be lived in such a way that others will get a glimpse of God’s amazing grace. Such a promise should cause us to want to live a resurrection life, this side of the grave! Enjoy the sunrise as you celebrate the risen Son!

Looking forward to another sunrise with you, Neal