From the Home Place

May 17, 2026

Rain last night, snow tomorrow – Thank You Lord Jesus!!!

Yesterday evening, Miss Deb and I attended the high school graduation party of a little gal we have known for several years. When we first met her, she was just a little girl with a cute smile; very bashful, but friendly. Then came braces and boys, and now she is headed to Oklahoma this next fall to start college as a beautiful young lady! She is pursuing a degree in Ag-Business. She will do well!

We were invited to five different graduation parties this year, each in a different town, several of them on the same day. Come to think of it, that sounds like the list of funerals to attend when a person gets as old as we are.

You know how twisted my mind works: It seems to me that when a Christian leaves this ‘ol ball of dirt behind, we ought to have a “graduation party” instead of funeral! I mean, really, when a believer dies it is as if they are walking down the halls of life for a final time, and now they graduate to a far better form of life. To me, that calls for a party.

I sure enough hope that when my “graduation” day comes, that you can come to the party! Don’t bring a handful of kleenex, bring a heart full of memories, ready to celebrate. Don’t cry, instead laugh and enjoy the company of those still trapped in the here-and-now. Hug my kids and grandkids for me, as you tell them a story of our acquaintance. Please, take good care of Miss Deb, don’t forget about her after the party, O.K.? And above all, get ready for your graduation day!

As the old saying goes, “None of us leave this world alive.” For unbeliever and believer alike, death is just “passing on” to the next chapter called eternity. Every person who lives upon earth, will also spend eternity either in heaven or in hell. You see, this journey we call life is our one opportunity to get ready for eternity. Where will you spend your eternity?

Accept Jesus Christ as the One who paid the price for your salvation and spend eternity with Him, and me, in heaven where there will be no more pain, no more struggle, no more loneliness; Or reject Jesus as Savior and spend eternity in a place away from all other living beings; surrounded by extreme heat and pain, along with constant torment by the fact that you made the wrong choice. But it’s your choice. (I pray you will choose wisely.)

After all, if you commit your life to Jesus, when your “graduation day” comes, we can continue our friendship in that place called heaven. I’ll even introduce you to my new friends – Abraham, Peter, John, Paul, Esther and Joshua just to mention a few! And together, we will bow in the presence of Jesus, our Savior, our Lord, our King!

Looking forward to graduation with you, Neal