From the Home Place

June 19, 2026

Good morning all! We are starting this day at 46 and should gain 30 degrees before it comes to a close. There could be some rain in the area on Saturday or Sunday, time will tell???

Today, Miss Deb, Coffee and I need to travel to Scottsbluff to get our windows and shower parts for more home renovations. Then we will head for Guernsey to help celebrate their VBS program and then we will circle back to Lusk and call it a day. It will be a very busy day, a long day and yet if our Lord allows, a good day.

A couple of weeks ago, I visited with you about the new look we were working on for our front yard. Well, it’s 90% done, so I’ll post a picture or two for you to take a gander at. For as much as we work at improving our inward appearance, it is also important that things look good on the outside.

As Christians, our inward renovation is a constant process. We should always be growing in our faith. Each day should bring some kind of improvement in who we are. But then, there is the outward appearance which also important. Now, let’s stop right here for a moment.

I’m speaking of a balanced faith. We dare not portray outwardly something that is not true inwardly. Nor should we be so busy working on our inside that our outside looks like a junk yard. Balance is the key to a nice looking home and a mature Christian faith.

You see it’s like this: When we grow inwardly toward Christian maturity, we glow outwardly because of that growth. In my opinion, we should all be glowing more brightly today than we were glowing five years ago.

After all, when you or I first meet someone, the outward appearance tells a lot about us. Remember, we all get to make only one “first appearance.” No, I’m not saying that we have to be all duded up before we can set foot out the door, if that’s true, I’m not very good at living what I’m trying to say! I don’t mind wearing my dirty jeans and messy shirt downtown to get parts if I’m working on a project around here, but our outward appearance shouldn’t shout that our life is out of control and a complete mess while we are proclaiming what a joy it is to walk with Jesus. Once again, good balance.

The outside of our house should look like someone cares about it, while the inside of our home should be a place where folks feel welcome. The same is true of our Christian portrayal. On the inside folks ought to know that they are important to us because they are important to our Heavenly Father. On the outside, the way we treat folks should display a similar concern for others.

Summary, keep renovating the outside and the inside of your life for Christ. Folks need to see that we live in a well-maintained residence and not a junk yard. After all, if we are going to tell others that we live for Jesus, they should be able to see that He is an honored guest, not an uncomfortable pest.

Continuing to renovate all of self with you, Neal