From the Home Place

A blog sharing insights, stories, and reflections on life from a Christian perspective.

recent posts

about

  • My “adopted” one!

    November 26, 2025

    Well, that beautiful fall has come to an end. It’s 11 degrees at 4:30 this morning. Breezy, snow flurries, and 37 for a high today. I sure wish I had a wood stove!

    I’m just a little excited this morning, my “adopted” little brother should be here tomorrow about one o’clock in the afternoon. Jowell isn’t really any blood relative; he’s just the guy that I adopted as my little brother way back when. We have known each other for fourteen years now, but our hearts are so welded together that you would think we grew up together.

    Seldom do two men have so much in common: We both have a beautiful wife who has been our girlfriend for years and years; we both enjoy hunting and fishing; we both have the same work ethic; we both have great children and amazing grandchildren; we both are elk-aholics!

    The only problem is that we live over seven-hours apart. As such, Jowell is going to make the long drive to Lusk so that we can spend time together, hopefully hunting elk! If all works well, we are planning on finding a little puddle of elk so that we can both harvest a cow. As of right now it looks like we are headed sixty-plus miles to the north-west of here, pitching a tent and both of us learning to breathe again.

    By breathing again, I mean that we have both had a very busy year up to now, and we just need to spend some time together, allowing our hearts to speak to each other, enjoying time in nature and sharing plenty of laughs. We always find plenty to laugh about when we are together. I’ve always said that a person’s best friends are those that you have shared two emotions with: you have laughed together, and you have cried together, we have done plenty of both!

    I’m fourteen years the senior, and so much wiser (cough, cough), so it’s always up to me to find us a spot to spend time together. This time we will be way out in the middle of nowhere Wyoming, during the coldest weather we have had so far this winter, dodging snowflakes, eating sandwiches and cold meals, trying to stay somewhat warm, and just plain enjoying life together.

    I guess you could say we are much like David and Jonathan from the Bible. In 1 Samuel 18:3 we read, “Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.” Though they were not really related, their hearts were fully connected! Do you have such a person in your life? Stats tell us that most women have 2-3 such women in their lives, while men have less than 1.5 soul mates. I am so blessed to know several men who I would consider fill the “.5” space in my life , but I know exactly who is my “1”.

    Like David and Jonathan, Jowell and I both love the Lord Jesus, so we will spend plenty of time in prayer and chewing on the Scriptures. We will tap into the wisdom each man possesses and talk about our struggles and about our joys. For four days, we will once again share life together.

    So again, I ask you, who is it that is so special to you that your heart aches when you are far apart? Who is it that laughs and cries with you? Who is it that causes your heart to leap with joy when you do get to be around them? Who is your “adopted” sibling? Don’t you reckon it’s about time that you tell them so?

    Perhaps this Thanksgiving week would be a good time for a long phone call? Tell that person of their value in your life, laugh with them, and yes if needed, cry with them. Allow God to reenergize that special connection!

    Spending time with my “adopted” sibling with you, Neal

  • Keep growing!

    November 25, 25

    If anyone is short on wind and cold we sure enough could send you some.

    In Philippians 4:11 the Apostle Paul tells us, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” As I have mentioned before a survey conducted by Barna Research revealed that 94% of pastors stated that the number one problem within their congregation is the issue of complacency.

    It appears to me that the difference between the contentment that Paul spoke of, and the complacency that Barna reports about is this: Contentment is being satisfied with what God has given me. While Complacency is being satisfied with what I have given God. Most often there is a world of difference between these two circumstances.

    The photo of the little man below seems to represent contentment quite well. It would appear that this little feller is completely content with the horse God has given him today. However, within five years, he will no longer be content to ride the mini, though he may still love his short-legged steed. For you see right now, the little horse and the little rider are a great match. I’m betting that in their minds, they are both as big and as capable as all of the sixteen-hand horses and adults around them, it’s a matter of perspective.

    When a person comes to Jesus for salvation, at that moment said person is content with what God has given them, salvation! However, as that person grows in their faith they will now have to decide to just stay where they started, or to make needed changes and to learn to use the spiritual gifts the Lord has given them. If this person says, “No, I can’t do that,” then they have become complacent. If this person says, “Yes, Lord, however I can serve you, I am willing and glad to do so,” then they are learning contentment.

    Just like our little cowboy in the picture below, his first horse was the love of his life for a season. Yet, I’m betting that this little guy grew and went on to ride other horses he loved as well. You see my friend, when we first come to Jesus, we are content just to know Him. However, I strongly feel that Jesus has no intention of allowing us to stay at that point. In 2 Peter 3:18 we are challenged, “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

    God’s word expects us, even commands us, to never become complacent in our walk with Him, yet to always be content with what He gives us along the way. We all have different gifts to be used in a variety of ways. The use of said gifts and abilities brings joy to our Savior and a blessing to those around us. But we are to constantly be growing “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

    Friends, please, never allow complacency to disguise itself as contentment. Keep growing, keep going, for His glory and for the good of others. Always learning, always changing, becoming more graceful with every stage of your spiritual journey. The problem too many Christians “keep growing in knowledge,” but we seldom grow in “grace.” You see, grace is the proper application of “knowledge.” When the knowledge doesn’t result in growth, we now have complacency . The key to learning contentment in our spiritual journey is the first two words of this verse, “Keep growing!”

    Perhaps think of it this way: Back in 1972 when Miss Deb and I were married, I loved her. After 53 plus years of getting to know her better each year, I love her in a much richer way that I could ever thought possible back in ’72.

    Remember, Keep Growing; Keep Glowing; Geep Going for His Glory! Always content, never complacent.

    Growing in knowledge and grace with you, Neal

  • God is good!

    November 24, 2025

    Well, it looks like 24 at 4 a.m., 54 for a high, with 38 mph winds, and we have to drive 300+ miles today. Hang on Miss Deb and Coffee, it’s going to be a long day!

    Yesterday morning found us headed for church here in Lusk. The Lord has blessed us with a great fellowship! We get to attend Sunday School, where we are busy learning Bible Study Methods. After that hour of helping each other grow, we enjoy a half-hour of coffee and visiting with some really great folks. Then comes the worship time – great music, fantastic teaching and an opportunity to be stretched by God’s word and blessed by His people!

    It’s probably a side effect of getting old, but Miss Deb has this beautiful little red-headed girl that she has become best buds with, and I find my heart being attached to a short-legged feller. I can’t mention his name, but he is the cutest little guy I’ve been around for quite a while. He’s not quite two years old, travels a hundred miles-per-hour and is really starting to jabber. It makes me feel all warm inside when he gives me a couple of words and then off he goes to see what else is happening in his great big world!

    Our church family is very blessed to have so many short-legged critters running around. Yesterday, it was Miss Deb’s turn to teach the children’s story during the worship service. There’s usually a solid thirty-head or more of the little ones who gather at the front of the church to listen to a fantastic lesson taught by a variety of adults. As they gather and listen, I pray for all of those little hearts. I pray that they will draw closer to God during the lesson time, but also that their Heavenly Father will keep them safe and healthy. That He will give their parent, or parents wisdom as how to direct each arrow toward the target that God has created them for, and that we as a church family will rightfully assist in that process.

    Lusk is located in Niobrara county – big cattle country. In fact, Niobrara County is the least populated county in the least populated state in the United States, and we like it that way! This is a big county, and as such, there are several families who homeschool here. In my opinion, these homeschools are doing a fantastic job of developing some really sharp-minded students. These little ones are polite, intelligent and just plain fun to be around on Sunday mornings.

    I invite you to take a gander at the little feller riding his short-legged steed in the picture at the bottom of this page. Doesn’t this picture just make you smile on the inside? Note, this isn’t some city kid going for a ride. It looks to me like this isn’t even a future cowboy, he’s already there. Notice how he’s holding the reins correctly. Then look at his tack – there is a rope coiled and tied to his saddle – I’m betting he knows how to use that rope too. And his saddle, that isn’t some dime-store tack, it is a real saddle, I’m saying it is very much like Dad’s saddle. I just want to get ahold of this kid and squeeze the juice out of him. I’m betting this little feller is very much like my little buddy at church, a blast to be around!

    You see loved ones; there is just something extra special about a country kid who knows how to have fun outside. Working alongside of and learning from parents who value their children for who they are, these little lives are going to make great young adults in time. I know I’m extremely partial, but growing up in the wide-open spaces of Wyoming helps these children really understand the value of life. Especially when that training is centered upon biblical principles, family unity, manners and having fun! Yep, Miss Deb and I are plumb blessed to get to be a part of this little community.

    And by the way, for the most part, the adults around here are some of the best people you could ever be around as well. God has been very kind to us three, Miss Deb, Neal and Coffee – the dog that runs our outfit. Daily we praise our Lord for allowing us to live out the rest of our days in this place. Good country, good people, good community and a great God to serve, how blessed we truly are! I pray that you feel the same about the chunk of dirt you get to live on as well. Blessings upon you and yours!

    Living a blessing with you, Neal

  • “For this cause…”

    November 23, 2025

    Yesterday we discovered that God created Eve to be in “conflict” with Adam. Today we must work on “the rest of the story.”

    As God created them “male and female,” it seems that He created them to be in “conflict” one with the other. Why, because conflict has a way of bringing about needed change. For example, my flesh is in constant conflict with God’s nature, yet when I submit my flesh to the leading of the Holy Spirit, this Christian thing works really well.

    To understand what it means for me to submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit, let’s go back to the round pen, training a colt. As I have mentioned before, before I can train a young horse in the way he should go, the first thing I have to do is to get that young horse to yield his nose to me. God created horses, and humans, in a way that where their nose goes, the rest of their body follows. As such, a trainer has to get a colt to yield his nose to the rider before there can be real harmony between horse and rider.

    The same is true in the Christian walk. The first thing the Holy Spirit desires for me as a new Christian is that I yield to His control. When I yield (submit), there is real harmony between flesh and Spirit! The Holy Spirit does not desire that I submit because He is wiser and stronger than I am (yes, He is both of those), the Spirit of the living God wants me to submit to His headship because that brings harmony into the relationship. As such, there is purpose in the “conflict.” Christlikeness is that purpose!

    In the beginning, “He created them male and female.” The female was given to the male to be his completer, not just his competer. Yet she brings that completeness by bringing “conflict” into the relationship. For as we discussed, conflict = change and change = Christlikeness!

    Now we are ready for Ephesians 5:22, I hope. “Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord.” Oh my gosh, I know I just said something really nasty, but please note, I didn’t say it, God did. Work with me here for a minute please, a wife is to submit to her husband “as to the Lord.” If a wife doesn’t first submit her nose to the Lord, she will never submit it to her husband.

    Why does a trainer request that a colt submit his nose to the rider, because without the submission, the horse will never reach its full potential! To become all that it was created to be, the colt submits its nose to the rider to bring about harmony. No stop and think about this picture: Who is really in control of the relationship between horse and trainer – the horse is! Without the horse submitting, there will always be conflict between the two.

    Why does God ask a wife to “submit to her husband?” Because she desires to be in control and the best way to harness that control is through submission. Remember, in Genesis 3:16b were God declares to Eve, “Yet your desire will be for your husband.” Then we must cross reference to Genesis 4:10 to better understand the word desire (the best way to understand a biblical reference is to look at a biblical cross reference). In Genesis 4:7b God is speaking with Cain when God says, “sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”

    Once again we find our word “desire.” As sin desires to control Cain, woman will desire to control her husband, part of the curse. Yet, the New Testament says that the remedy is “Wives, be subject to your husband, as to the Lord.” It seems to me that the answer to this whole thing about submit is a four-part answer: 1) Submission to the Lord first is the key; 2) She is told to submit because it brings harmony to the conflict; 3) Because she is the one in control of said harmony; 4) She is the one strong enough to submit so that she can find her full potential in the Lord. Remember, submission is strength under control.

    Now God commands the husband, “Husband, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” Husbands are to sacrificially love their wife, just as Jesus loves His bride. That means a husband is to put her first in all situations. Once again a four-part answer to why a husband is to love his wife: 1) Because God commands it; 2) Love covers a multitude of sins – love brings harmony in the midst of conflict; 3) His responsibility is to make the love of Jesus real to his wife; 4) He will be held accountable for the harmony within the home.(Gen3:9)

    So, both horse and trainer have distinct purpose in finding harmony and joy. One leads and one submits. Yet I can say as a trainer, there is no greater reward than for someone to say, “Wow, that is an amazing horse you have there!” Now, please note Ephesians 5;27, “that He might present to Himself the church in all of her glory.”

    Every godly husband is blessed out of his socks when others see his beautiful wife “in all of her glory!” As a female finds her full potential in Christ, she answers Proverbs 31:1, “An excellent wife, who can find?” The fortunate husband who has found a wife who first yields her nose to the Lord and then to her husband, because she is strong enough to do so, is the man who will declare: “I have found an excellent wife!”

    And by the way, harmony is the result of the Ephesians 5 passage, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” That “one flesh” is the definition of the word harmony. A home that enjoys harmony – emotionally, physically and spiritually – between male and female is a home of true joy!

    Celebrating every excellent wife with you, Neal (Because I have been given such a wife!)

  • But…

    November 22, 2025

    In Genesis 1 we read that Adam was alone in the garden of Eden, so God made a “helper” “suitable” for him. The word “suitable” literally means, “that which is opposite, contrary to.” (Young’s Bible Dictionary) WOW! Why would God give Adam someone who is so opposite, even contrary to him???

    To answer this question, one has to look up the word “contrary.” It means, “in conflict with.” WHAT?That answer just created another question: Why would God give Adam a “helper” who will be in “conflict with” him? Well, let’s back up just a tad, perhaps our all-knowing God knew that Adam and Eve would eat the forbidden fruit and would then enter into conflict – read Genesis 3:12-13 – the blame game started!

    Or perhaps our all-knowing God knows that “conflict” is the best way to get humans to make needed changes. Think about it, while talking with Adam, God speaks of the earth, “In toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you.” Immediately after sinning man is in “conflict” with nature. From that moment on man has battled floods, fires, earthquakes, volcanos, tornados and hurricanes – he is constantly in conflict with nature. However, that conflict has caused man to build stronger buildings, flood walls and to learn how to keep a fire perimeter around his buildings.

    We can take this “conflict” one step further: When a person becomes a Christ-follower, the Bible shows us that there is a constant conflict between my “flesh” and the Holy Spirit. My flesh wants what it wants, and the Holy Spirit wants something better for me. My flesh wants to be independent, and the Holy Spirit wants me to be dependent. Yet, because of the conflict, when my flesh yields to the Holy Spirit, harmony comes upon the scene and joy abounds!

    Now back to God giving Eve to Adam to be in “conflict” with him. As a husband of 53+ years, I can tell you that Miss Deb and I most often disagree about what to do and how to do it. I think the key is in understanding that God created them “male and female.” Two absolute opposites apart from God’s intervention. By God’s amazing grace, male and female can learn to live in harmony and joy!

    If a male and female are drawn together just because of their physical pleasures, such a relationship is doomed. And then there is the attempt to make home improvements together. There is not enough time nor space to tackle that topic, other than to say that there will be conflict. Male and female will approach and fulfill tasks from two different spheres of the brain, and personal preference. Personal opinions seem to be the primary impetus of most “conflict.” Yet, as male and female we were created to need each other.

    I must agree, without Miss Deb in my life I probably would not understand the compassionate, loving, caring, nurturing side of God’s nature. Without someone helping me see the opposite side of things, my life, and my Christian experience, would have been extremely one-sided; and very boring.

    In 2 Corinthians 6:14 we read, “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?” Remember, in the very beginning the earth was covered with darkness. God’s first creative action was to create light, and then He separated the light from the darkness – the two never were intended to go together. Why do Christians keep trying to prove this theory wrong by choosing unbelievers for marriage partners?

    As a friend says, “Who would have ever thunk it?” God created the perfect “conflict” partner for each of us as male and female. Conflict = Change; Change = Christlikeness; Christlikeness = Harmony in the home! You see, God does know what He is doing!

    Praising God for a conflict partner with you, Neal

    P.S. We will continue discussing this tomorrow.

  • It’s not a game!

    November 21, 2025

    Good morning all! It’s 31 degrees with heavy fog right now, headed for 51 for a high today. Looks like another great day for working outside.

    Around 1967 I played with riding bulls. Now that is a sport I would never suggest anyone to “play” at, but I did and by God’s grace, I survived. I never was very serious about it, in fact, I didn’t even like it.

    I would enter in a rodeo here and there, never really excited about riding. My friends were all “so pumped” to get on a bull, and most of them ended up getting hurt. I think maybe I was too afraid of what I had seen bulls do to cowboys.

    One bull that really terrified me belonged to a Wyoming stock contractor, so he was at a lot of local shows, was a big Brahma bull named Pale Face. He was a dark grey color with a white patch on his face. His routine was always the same: He would jump for the sky when the chute gate opened, hit the ground and start into a really flat spin to the right.

    I rode right-handed, so the spin was actually to my advantage. It was the lunge out the gate that worried me. Unless you were really stout, (which I never was), the lunge out the gate would slide a feller back off of his rope and the spin would cast the attempted rider off the back end of ‘ol Pale Face. The problem was that then he would hunt his cowboy down and try to stop his victim into the dirt!

    To ride Pale Face, you had to lean forward excessively during the first lunge, placing a cowboy’s face in an extreme danger of taking a bite out of one of the big brahma’s antlers. And then you had to stay way forward during his very flat spin, so he didn’t slide you out the back door.

    Well, I am very happy to say, I never did draw Pale Face, because I quit riding before I did. The odds were that if a feller stayed with it long enough you were going to draw him. And then the odds were very high that he was going to win and then the odds were extremely high that someone was going to get hurt, and that someone wouldn’t be Pale Face.

    So here is our lesson for today, as almost impossible as Pale Face was to survive, so is Satan and his tactics. Just like with bull riding, spiritual warfare isn’t something that anyone should “play” at. This is very serious business. I know, I’ve been there many times.

    I have to admit; it frightens me how many folks think the dark side is a playground. It is not! When we humans are in the presence of evil, that evil has only one intention – HARM! Demons are never there to play a little game and then everyone can skip safely through life. Demons imprint themselves upon humans, constantly attempting to “divide and destroy.” This is not a game!

    Be careful what movies you watch, be careful what books you read, be careful what you submit your mind and body to. Demonic influence is real, and very dangerous. There is a reason that the Bible tells us to “flee from evil.” Because that evil will influence a human every time. James 4:7 tells us, “Submit therefore to God, Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

    You see, just as I knew that sooner or later, I was going to draw Pale Face if I kept trying to ride bulls, I also know that the only way to “resist” the devil is to stay away from his influence. As a Christ-follower we are to “pursue righteousness.” The best way to prevent getting tromped by a bull is to stay away from trying to ride the bull. The best way to “resist the devil” is to stay away from any kind of evil influence.

    There is a saying among bull riders, “If you ride bulls, it isn’t a matter of ‘if’ you will get hurt, the question is ‘when’ will you get hurt and how badly will you get hurt.” If we mess with evil, we will get hurt, badly!

    Timothy encourages us to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.”

    In pursuit with you, Neal

  • Silly Billy

    November 20, 2025

    As I’ve mentioned before, I spent a lot of time at my uncle Clayton’s place during my younger years. On this particular day he sent me out to check the water, salt and cattle in the north pasture. He instructed me to keep a sharp eye on Billy, the spotted horse that I was now “old enough” to ride. I must have been around eight or nine years old at the time.

    Billy was sure enough a good horse, he was just a tad bit mischievous. It was a good idea to not be daydreaming while riding Billy, or he would suddenly shy sideways leaving his rider on the ground. Billy was also known to attempt to drag his cowpoke off on a tree branch, or anything else he could do to leave rider behind while he ran back to the barn.

    So, Billy and I sat off on our first solo adventure. I was riding a saddle that was way too big for me, as such the stirrups didn’t come close to fitting my short legs. A situation I was used to because I didn’t have a saddle that fit me at home either. Well, we came to the gate, and I had to get off of Billy to open it. The dismount was without incidence; I was able to get the gate open (it was a rather loose gate) but now it was time to get back on.

    I held the reign as tight as I could and finally pulled my foot up to the stirrup, and then grunting and pulling for all that I was worth, I clawed myself into the saddle. The problem was that the whole time I was trying to mount my might steed, he was walking toward a grove of trees that was in the pasture we had just entered.

    I got into the saddle just in time to start pulling on the off-side reign, commanding Billy to stop! It was no use; Billy had the bit locked in his teeth and was in full control of our travel plans. Into the grove of trees we went, and I started ducking branches. One after another they came crashing at me until finally a large branch dethroned me to the turf. When I gathered my wits, all I could see was Billy’s tail flashing through the trees, headed for the barn.

    You see my friends, sometimes life is like that horse. It seems to grab the bit and off we go. I’ve often said, “sometimes life just happens to us.” We don’t have much, if any control, of what takes place and the next thing you know, we are dethroned.

    Over my years of walking with God, I have found it best to not ask “Why?” when life grabs the bit and runs off with me, instead I’ve learned to ask Him, “Lord, what are you wanting to teach me during this event?” Chew on this one, the “Why?” question is almost to blame God for my circumstances, it’s like asking “God why did you allow this to happen to me?”

    But you see, if we believe that God is sovereignly in control all of time, which He definitely is, then to question why is close to being defiant. Instead, we should accept what is happening and ask “What?” instead of “Why?”. “Lord, what are You wanting me to learn in this situation?” Simple truth, the Holy Spirit is always wanting us to learn something about ourselves, or something about Himself. Thus, He often allows uncomfortable circumstances to take place within our lives so that we will stop and ask, “What are You wanting me to learn?”

    The fact is that there are plenty of times when Satan is the mastermind behind our difficult situations. So then, the “What?” question is answered with God wanting us to learn how to use His power to stand against our enemy. See how much easier that was than spending the rest of our day attempting to figure out the “Why?”

    On the day we were talking about earlier, that is exactly what I had to figure out. I walked the half mile back to the barn, gathered Mr. Billy up again and off we went to check cattle. Oh ya, I had collected a two-foot-long little branch that had all of the leaves off of it. Now when Billy tried any of his tricks, I could spank his spotted behind. From that day on, Billy and I were able to accomplish any task we were sent on.

    Celebrating the victories with you, Neal

  • “It’s just money!”

    November 19, 2025

    Read Luke 18:18-30

    This is the story of the “Rich Young Ruler.” It would be wise to determine the elements of his title. “Rich,” means exceeding wealth, which in biblical times, even as now, brings “great influence and power” according to Young’s Bible Dictionary. Just like with most things acquired by people, wealth can be either a blessing or a burden.

    Second significant word, this man was “young.” Even in biblical times it was rather unusual for a young man to be considered rich, a luxury most often enjoyed by older men. You see, in most situations it takes the better part of a lifetime to be considered rich, but our young friend had been blessed with this title as a “young” man.

    The third element of his title was that of “ruler.” This particular word gives us the insight that this man had most likely inherited his wealth from his father, a man of distinction. As such, our young ruler was most like a man who owned a successful business and ruled over his employes. I would suggest that he kept his employees poor, while he amassed great wealth.

    That is why Jesus commanded him to “sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor.” In another words, give your wealth to those who have given it to you. It has always been a principal that the rich get richer, while the poor do the work to help them get richer. I’ve often said that “We middle-class Americans are so busy trying to make a living that we don’t have time to live.” Our rich young ruler was living a life of luxury, while his servants lived a life of servanthood.

    For sure money is a strange bedfellow. It seems that the more of it we get, the more of it we want. Why is that, because money allows us to live “better” than those who have less money. Yet all the way through the Bible we find that the person who takes care of the poor is truly the blessed person.

    Within the passage before us today, Jesus challenges the young man to surrender the thing that meant the most to him – his excessive wealth, and the power that comes with wealth. Notice Jesus’ suggestion in verse 22, “sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor,” but don’t forget to read all of the verse, “and come, follow Me.” Our earthly wealth doesn’t get us into heaven, following Jesus does.

    For as Jesus had earlier stated, we can’t serve both God and wealth. I’ve always marveled at how many churches work hard at helping their pastor live by this principal. I remember being told that a pastor’s salary should be just enough to “keep him poor to keep him humble.” And yes, Miss Deb and I have served that church more than once. I’ve even been reminded by a rich congregant, “I pay your salary, so I have every right to expect you to do…..”

    Just like for our young man mentioned in this story, money can easily cause people to think that they should have a certain amount of authority. Loved ones, I have endured hundreds of church business meetings over my years of serving as pastor and as a district employee, as such I have witnessed it being said in the heat of a discussion, “Do you know who pays the bills around here!” Then there is the saying that “the one who controls the gold, controls the kingdom.” You see, it isn’t just this rich young ruler who has struggled with wealth and serving God.

    So, for us here today, what are we doing with what God has blessed us with? Back in the “old days” of church life, we were all encouraged to give one-tenth of our income to Christian ministry. Today, in America, the average Christian gives less than two percent of their income to ministry. With the old principal, we were always told, “Give God ten percent and He will allow you to keep ninety percent.” Well, I guess today we want to keep our ninety-eight percent. As such, are we really any different than the Rich Young Ruler?

    In the words of Jesus Christ found in verse 27, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” Many times, I have seen God do the impossible of leading a wealthy person to bless a poor person. To the glory of God, there are always those within the local church who realize that the more they give away, the more God gives to them to give away.

    I close with one question, “Do I own my wealth, or does my wealth own me?”

    Serving God, not money, with you, Neal

  • “Lord, save me!”

    November 18, 2025

    Open you Bible to Matthew 14 and read verses 22-33; Now let’s spend some time looking for the golden nuggets buried within this passage. I’m using the New American Standard Version of the Bible, so your version will probably read differently, yet I encourage you to allow your version to be your vision to help you see all of the scenes of this passage.

    First, Jesus sends His disciples off on what was a common occurance for those living around the Sea of Galilee, they often crossed from one side to the other.

    Next, we find Jesus “sending the crowds away.” Jesus was simply encouraging the people to return to their homes and their lives. God knows that our human bodies need nourishment and rest. He also expects us to work to provide for ourselves if we possibly can.

    Next, in verse 23 we find Jesus, alone on a mountain, praying. Throughout the New Testament, quite often Jesus went to a mountain to pray.

    I’ve been blessed to climb many mountains in Wyoming and Colorado – it doesn’t matter where a mountain is, it is always a challenge to get to the top of it. You see friends, we all want to have a “mountain top” experience with Jesus, but seldom do we want to leave the comfortable surroundings of where we live. It is hard work to go to the mountain top with Jesus, but He always encourages us, “come walk with Me.” Being a Christ-follower isn’t for wimps; it is a demanding journey! A journey that requires a lot of time spent in prayer.

    In verse 24 we read that the “wind was contrary.” Meaning that the wind was opposing the progress of the disciples in their boat. They were caught in a storm that they couldn’t get themselves out of. We as modern-day disciples often find ourselves in similar storms. The solution is yet to come.

    Let’s hustle along a bit here, the disciples are fearfully struggling, attempting to get out of the storm when Jesus arrives, “walking on the sea.” Seeing Jesus, the disciples were even more “terrified.” How often when we are in a storm of life do things go from bad-to-worse?

    Note verse 27, Jesus speaks, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Do you suppose that this storm caught Jesus by surprise? No! Back in verse 22, we read that Jesus, “made the disciples get into the boat.” The word “made” is a stern word, meaning to “compel or force.” Undoubtably the disciples wanted to go with Jesus to the mountain top, but He “made” them get into the boat for He wanted them to learn a lesson during a storm. One has to wonder, how often does Jesus put us in a situation where He wants us to learn a valuable truth about Himself during a storm?

    It’s easy to walk with Jesus when the sun is shining brightly, but how about in the midst of a serious storm? A storm like cancer or another serious illness. A storm like financial crisis. A storm like interpersonal struggles. A storm that causes your faith to faulter.

    To us and to His first disciples, Jesus says “Take courage; do not be afraid.” You see loved ones, as Christ followers our strength comes from the Lord, “courage” is being willing to exercise that strength. While Satan wants us to cower in fear, Jesus wants us to “strong and courageous!” The choice is ours.

    And then comes good ‘ol Pete. It seems to me that Peter realizes that he’s had enough of the sinking boat and knows that Jesus is his better option. I love Jesus’ response to Peter’s request (v.28), Jesus simply replies “come.”

    Here we find the beginning of the remedy for dealing with our “storm.” It all begins with enough faith to admit that I’m a sinner and I need a Savior, or as said here, I have to recognize that I’m in a storm and I need rescued. Peter askes Jesus to be his rescuer (Savior if you will), and Jesus simply bids him “come.” Is Jesus inviting you to come to Him? Not is He inviting you to join a certain church or be baptized, those are to be added after coming to Jesus. Jesus simply says, “come.” “Come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Are you tired of trying to save yourself? Then get out of your sinking boat and walk to Jesus!

    Fact, coming to Jesus does not make the storm stop, but it does give you a mighty Savior to walk to safety with. And just like Peter, your new faith will faulter. Once again, I remind each of us to not allow circumstances to determine our trust in Jesus. You see, when Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, Peter began to sink, and so will we when we take our eyes off of Jesus and look at the storm around us.

    We’ve all heard the old adage, “Sink or swim.” Well, I think this passage tells us that we will sink if we don’t keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus. We are to walk by faith, not by sight. Why, because Satan will use the circumstances of our storm as a way to discourage and defeat us. Walking by faith in Jesus will give us courage far beyond what we are able to muster on our own.

    To me, verse 30 is the pivotal verse in Peter’s life, and it can also be pivotal in your life. Peter “cried out, Lord, save me!” Regardless of the storm your life might be in right now, realize that your are sinking and inwardly shout to Jesus, “Lord, save me!” Here, the word “save” literally means to “deliver.” As sinners, you and I are in a storm that is going to swallow us up and take us to Hell. Yet if we cry out to Jesus as Peter did, “Lord, save me!” Jesus will answer that cry, reach out His hand and “deliver” us as well.

    Result of being saved by Jesus, the disciples “worshiped Him.” When you allow Jesus to bring salvation into your life, your first response will be to recognize that Jesus “certainly” is “God’s Son!”

    Worshiping the Savior with you, Neal

  • In just a moment

    November 17, 2025

    Good morning friends. At 3:40 this morning the temperature is 42 degrees in Lusk, Wyoming, with a 84% chance of rain and a high of 46.

    I remember a winter day in 1965, dad and I were up and going at 4:30 a.m. He looked at the thermometer as we headed out the door and the temperature was 45 degrees above zero. By sunset the outside temperature would be at -40 degrees with a stiff west wind. That evening while we checked the weather, the feller on the TV said with the wind chill we had experienced a 112-degree temperature drop in one day. I went out the door that morning wearing just enough coat to cut the morning chill and finished evening chores wearing half of my wardrobe!

    Isn’t it amazing how things can change so quickly? I recall many conversations among folks of my parent’s generation, speaking of the Great Depression. It was often stated that, “We went to bed with money in the bank and woke up broke!” One evening Miss Deb and I had spent a great time with some neighbors who had come over for supper, cards and an enjoyable visit; the next day I heard of his death. I remember spending a couple of hours working with an amazing young veterinarian in our community, only to hear of his suicide the next day. This life can change so very, very quickly.

    It seems that the painful things happen in a moment, yet to see a positive life change in a person can take most of a lifetime. This is also true for a person’s spiritual life. When a person comes to know Jesus as their Savior, another event that takes place in a moment, that is called salvation. As that person lives the rest of their life growing and changing in accordance to biblical teaching, that is called sanctification. And then one day, in a single moment that person will die and enter into the presence of God, that’s called glorification. Big words that relate to the moment a person meets Jesus, lives a life serving Jesus and then in a moment is in the presence of Jesus! Yep, life often happens in a moment.

    We seem to live our lives always looking forward to another great day tomorrow, but then in a moment, life changes. We receive a diagnosis, a letter, a notification, and the rest of our life is impacted by what takes place in that moment!

    In Exodus 33:5 God reveals that He can destroy an entire group of people in a moment. Psalm 73:9 speaks of a similar moment. Yet in Matthew 8:13 we read of Jesus bringing healing to a person in a moment. In 1 Corinthians 15:52 we read of a future resurrection of the bodies of the saints which will take place in a moment.

    Yes, life can change for the better or the worse within a very short moment. So, for today, why not enjoy every moment that your Heavenly Father blesses you with? Give Him praise when He helps you accomplish a difficult task. Give Him thanks for keeping you from harm that could have taken your life at any moment of the day. Tell someone else about how God worked in your life yesterday at church, at lunch or during an afternoon visit.

    Yesterday, Miss Deb and I had several moments of enjoyable visits with different people at church. Most of those visits didn’t last more than just a moment, but we left the other person feeling as if God had blessed us with yet another acquaintance or with one more step in making a great friendship. Life seems to happen in the moments – praise Him for each one of them!

    Yes, both pain and rejoicing can take place in a moment. Yet those moments often impact our lives more than the hours. Those moments change who we are and how we live the days of our lives. Those moments are the treasures of our life over our years on this ‘ol ball of dirt. And in a moment, we shall be changed! 1 Corinthians 15:52

    Embracing the moments of life with you, Neal