From the Home Place

August 23, 2025

Yep, I’m so old that I can remember life without a computer, or a microwave, or a telephone. Shoot, I’m so old I can remember life without a television. Yet, life was so much simpler then. If we needed something from town, we waited until Saturday; the day for taking cream and eggs to town to sell, do the banking, go see family members and friends, and get any groceries that we couldn’t raise for ourselves.

Saturday night was made for taking the whole family to a country dance. While there, we would often share sandwiches and dessert with everyone else there, while visiting about events of our lives. Us kids would dance right alongside of our parents, that is until we would all tucker out and then we would pile up on homemade quilts in a corner of the dance hall. I reckon we looked like a batch of new-born calves laying on fresh straw. Just before daylight, our parents would gather us up, load all of us in an old pickup and make the trip home. We often returned home just in time to do morning chores.

For Sunday lunch our little ranch house would fill with company. Hugs, laughter and plenty of good food. One of my favorite parts of Sunday after lunch (that is after I helped with washing dishes) was to sit and listen to the older adults tell stories. Stories about when they were younger. Stories about great and difficult times alike. Stories about each individual life. To this day I can still recall some of those amazing moments of walking down life’s road with those dear ‘ol folks.

It seems to me that it really was God’s plan all along that we share stories of life with those around us. You see, with TV, computers, cell phones and a “better” way of life, we have stopped telling the stories. We have substituted hearing and telling stories, for living our lives quietly hidden away within our homes, staring at pretend people on a screen while we wait for our life to end.

As Joshua instructed the men of Israel to tell the stories of what God had done for them, we too need to be telling the stories of God’s loving works within our lives. Our children need to hear biblical stories not just from the Bible, but also from their family members who are living the Bible.

The best stories begin with the phrase, “I remember when…” God gives us a life to walk with Him, and to tell others about our journey.

Telling life stories with you, Neal

“I love to tell the story of unseen things above, Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.” (Hymn by Catherine Hankey & William Fischer)

“I will not die, but live, and tell of the works of the Lord.” (Ps.118:17)

August 20, 2025

Yesterday Miss Deb and I, and Coffee of course, found ourselves on the road again. A little over 300 miles and we were back home again. You see, from Lusk, Wyoming everywhere is a long way away. Casper – 105; Cheyenne – 150; Scottsbluff, NE. – 90; Rapid City, SD. 150. To find a town big enough to have some of the “big box” stores is an all-day trip.

I’m willing to wager that at some time in your life, perhaps today, you have felt that God is a long way away as well. After all, we are instructed about prayer, “Our Father who art in Heaven.” Heaven, man that is a long way away! Even our high-powered telescopes can’t find heaven. Yes, they can find the heavenly atmosphere that our solar system lives in, but they still can’t find the heaven where God lives.

In the words of Alester Beggs, “When you feel like God is far away, guess who moved?” I first heard this statement in 1983 and have to remind myself of it at times. You see my friends, there are those moments for each of us when we feel the space between ourselves and God. Jesus felt that space on the cross of Calvary when God placed the sin of mankind upon His shoulders. Because God cannot look upon sin, God turned His face away from Jesus, to which Jesus replied, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?”

For sure, sin does cause God to look away from us, but the moment we confess our sin, He forgives us though the person of Jesus Christ. When God feels far away, “guess who moved.” In James 4:8 we are encouraged with these words, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

You see, God is as near as a simple prayer when my life is in accordance with His holiness. Sin separates, but confession reunites. So instead of asking God where He has gone to, we just need to look inside of self. For when self is right with the Savior, God is near, even in “times of trouble.”

Stepping toward God with you, Neal

August 17, 2025

Yesterday, Miss Deb and I were in Rapid City, South Dakota to meet family members. There were six of us gathered around a large table in a local cafe. Before we started placing our orders, I ask our server to make sure that I received the bill for the morning’s meal. Why? Because somebody has to pay.

The writer of the book of Hebrews states, “Without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Very much like the restaurant expects the bill to be paid, so does God. You see, when you and I sin, we establish a debt with our Heavenly Father and the only acceptable payment is the “shedding of blood.”

A sacrificial system that was established way back near the beginning of time requires a blood sacrifice before sin can be forgiven. That is why Jesus Christ had to shed His blood at Calvary. But as such, His blood was the perfect sacrifice to be the payment for all sin for all time. Jesus, “the perfect Lamb of God,” is the only one capable of such a sacrifice.

Yesterday, during our breakfast meal we didn’t require each person to pay a portion of the bill for their part of their debt, nor did we require anyone to work as payment for their debt, Miss Deb just quietly paid the bill and we all celebrated being together!

You and I are sinners, we have a debt, Jesus paid that debt by shedding His blood. None of us can pay our part, nor can any of us work off our debt. Yesterday, when Miss Deb went to the counter to pay our debt for breakfast, she had to pay with an acceptable currency. The blood of Jesus is the only acceptable currency for payment of sin. We read in Acts 4:12, referring to Jesus Christ, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”

We sinners have a debt. No one can pay that debt other than Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Praise God, Jesus has paid the bill, all you have to do is believe and enjoy the feast!

Celebrating that the debt has been paid with you, Neal

August 16, 2025

Good morning dear friends. Here we are at the end of another week. Allow me to bring a bit of summation to these writings thus far. We started our visits by looking at the step-by-step process of remodeling the structure of this ‘ol house. Then we sat aside talking about construction of the house to look at the construction of our spiritual journey by developing seven essential spiritual disciplines. How does all of this fit together?

May I suggest that you look at your spiritual life in this manner: We each begin by taking care of structural issues – working on the inside, on the outside and on the covering. We then work on disciplines that will help us to move forward at a consistent pace.

We have spent months getting the structural elements of this house in place, and this last two weeks we have worked on cosmetic elements. Things like new windows, new doors, brick on the front of the house along with a new porch. All things that do not really improve the “structure” of our home, but things that make it more usable, and things that improve the appeal of our home.

Hopefully your spiritual life is structurally sound, built upon a solid faith in Jesus Christ. Because of that faith, you have made significant biblical improvements to your life by developing spiritual disciplines. Your life, and your testimony, are becoming a beautiful display of what it looks like to follow Jesus Christ!

Remember, you need to rebuild your life (house) in accordance with the vision the Holy Spirit has given to you. There will always be folks who will drive by and take a long look at what you are doing, the “lookie-loos” of life. They may even think that the cheese has slipped off of your cracker, but you must continue to build your life. Sometimes you will need your community members to help you in that process, other times you have to do the hard work all by yourself, always remembering that progress is progress.

Yes, remodeling our soul is a life-long process. Sometimes you work had for long periods of time with little to show for your labors. But then on one day, all of a sudden you will step back, look to God and exclaim, “Look at what we have done together!” In the words of our great grandson, you too will exclaim, “Oh WOW!” At that moment we get to see what faith and hard work have produced within and through our lives. At that moment, we will realize that it has all been worth it, “Well done My good and faithful servant.”

Walking by faith with you, Neal

August 15, 2025

Today, we will discuss that last of our Spiritual Disciplines – Hospitality.

In today’s culture, most churches are either digressing or dead. Why? Well, we don’t have the time, nor the space to go into all of details behind this issue, but may I suggest that the number one issue is because we have made the local church a club where the “Frozen Chosen” gather on a regular basis to continue our spiritual life as we feel comfortable.

The discipline of hospitality will cause us to step outside the comfortable walls of the local church, and start inviting people into our homes. As you read through the gospels, note how often Jesus shared a meal with someone. If we are to be Christ-Followers, we must share meals with those who are presently outside of the church family.

Note of extreme importance: “Do not allow the condition of your home to keep you from having guests into your home.” Sure, clean up a bit, but do not go on a three-day cleaning spree just to invite someone over for a meal. After all, you are inviting people into your home to get to know you and your family, it’s not about how clean your house is. Be real with people, be who you are and invite others to join you there.

Your home, your life, your family dynamic do not have to be perfect, just presentable. You do not have to be a gourmet cook, simple is fine. Serve a meal you would usually serve your family, in the environment you usually live, with the focus of connecting lives. Don’t pretend, be real; be who you are inviting your guests to be the same. Laugh and enjoy, it will be good for all involved.

Food has the amazing ability to break down barriers. Sharing a meal with someone else is a great way to get acquainted. Yes, it is acceptable to take your guests out for that first meal, but your home is usually quieter and more personal. Remember, the goal of hospitality is for people to get to know you, not your favorite restaurant. Ask polite questions about who they are: their interests, hobbies, work, family dynamics and individual lives – childhood and education are safe topics. Allow them to carry the conversation, this time is about them, not just you.

Of the seven Spiritual Disciplines we have discussed, this last one is usually the most difficult, yet it is often the most rewarding. Forget the stress, deal with the mess however you must, but don’t allow the Devil to keep you from being hospitable. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide the conversation, enjoy a special opportunity to see Him at work within and though your life – It is FUN!

Practicing hospitality with you, Neal

August 14, 2025

Allow me to start with a bit of honesty, my human flesh prefers to receive way more than it wants to give. I’ll take a wild guess that your fleshly nature is probably closely aligned?

Yet when we become followers of Jesus Christ, we realize that our Heavenly Father loved us so much that He gave us His most precious gift ever, His Son. “For God so loved the world that He gave.” Please stop for a moment and think of all of the things, and all of the people God has given to you. He’s a very gracious God isn’t He?

It is from God’s love for us that I draw this analogy, “It is possible to give without loving, but it is impossible to love without giving!” For you, or I, to say that we love someone we automatically become compelled to give to and for that person. That’s why Ephesians 5 challenges all married men to love their wife by following Jesus’ example, giving even unto death.

Not only are we to give of our finances, (fact – the average professing Christian gives less than 2% of their total income), but we are also to give of our resources and time. Why? Because that is exactly what Jesus has done for us. He gave everything for us so that we can know God, and have the opportunity to spend eternity with Him in heaven! That’s what real love looks like, giving all for another.

Have you ever marveled that God only asks us for a portion of what He has given us. Even if I were to give 10% of my earnings, He is still allowing me to keep 90%. I’m willing to bet that no other king would ever treat us so kindly?

Another way to look at it is that God gives me 24 hours each day. Is it too much that He request I spend a few minutes of each day alone with Him? If God gives 24 hours each day for six days, that is a total of 144 hours each week. Then when He asks for an hour or two on Sunday, we often are too busy to go to church. Wow! Contemplating our own death has a way of helping us really understand just how gracious God is with this thing called time. In one moment time stops for each of us and eternity begins. Are you ready for THAT moment?

During Old Testament times, the Israelites were required to give from their best – the unblemished lamb, the first of all crops, the perfect bull or heifer. Today we too are to give of our best, not of our leftovers. It is quite simple: God has given us His best, He deserves the best we have to offer Him from our time, talents and finances. Simple equation: “God’s best = my best.” We want nothing less, He deserves nothing less.

Generosity is amazingly fun. May we each be challenged to try to outgive God. You can’t do it. He will always give more than we do, but may we each die trying. Praise God!

Practicing generosity with you, Neal

August 13, 2025

Hopefully you have noticed that for the last few days we have been discussing “spiritual disciplines.” I am very much of the opinion that learning to walk with Jesus is a life-long experience, and as such, we need to develop a hand full of disciplines that we live out on a regular basis. After years of Bible study, it seems to me that there is a list of seven or more disciplines developed from the life of Christ.

Thus far we have looked at some of these disciplines: Solitude, Prayer, Fasting, Scripture and today Community. I have absolutely no doubt that the Christian life is to be lived within a community – the community of your small group, the community of your church and the community surrounding you.

Let’s start with your small group. This can be a study group, or it can be your small group of close friends. This group usually consists of less than ten people. These are the folks that you share large portions of your life with. I have always said that my close friends are the people whom I laugh with, and cry with.

Community number two is your church family. No, you do not have to be extremely close to every person who attends your local body of believers, however the Apostle Paul does state, “In as much as it is possible with you, be at peace with all people.” Also, Jesus came to draw us together in oneness.

The last community I will mention is the community we live in. It doesn’t matter if you live on a Wyoming ranch 40 miles away from the nearest town, you are still part of a larger community. A community that is watching you live out your faith in Jesus. A community that has value in your life, as you have value in the lives of your community. As I always say, “No contact, No impact!”

When you were led to salvation in Christ, you became a part of community. Christianity never was intended to be lived alone. I once heard Pastor John Ortberg say, “We tend to sin alone, but we heal together.” When our life hurts, we need others to come along side us and help us heal. It’s within community that we are forged and formed into the person God intends us to be. Iron does sharpen iron.

Please remember, according to God’s plan: “We can accomplish much more than just me.” Oh I agree, it is often easier to work alone, but the real value comes from allowing others to sharpen who we are. We may die alone, but we are intended to live together. Celebrate your community!

Traveling across this ball of dirt with you, Neal