From the Home Place

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

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

November 15, 2025

D.L. Moody (1837-1899) served God’s kingdom as a pastor and leader with his life and his wisdom. Moody once commented that he had little interest in getting more people into the Bible, but that his primary interest was to get more of the Bible into people.

You see my friends, for the most part, the American church has bought into the lie that “Information equals Transformation.” When I was working on a bachelor’s degree in Phoenix, I was once again reminded that every professor seemed to think that his class was the only class you were taking.

For example, the first day of the “Genesis” class, we were instructed to read the book of Genisis before tomorrow’s class. That’s fifty chapters of reading in one night. Let alone that as a student carrying 21 credit hours, I had six more classes with similar instructions for homework on that same evening. When I asked one of the professors why he gave so much homework, along with his hour-long lectures, he stated, “Research has revealed that you students will retain only 70% of what we teach you, so we have increased the information presented to you by an additional 50%, hoping you will now retain 90%;” – Thus the idea of information equals transformation. In the school’s defense, not only were the professors great teachers, but the school required each student to have a ministry as well (application of our learning) – I taught fourth-grade Sunday School at our church.

Back to the opinion, transformation does not lead to transformation. I hold the Bible as the primary proof of this statement: Jesus told His disciples, “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” Please note the very small, very powerful two-letter words in this verse. “If,” implying that the disciples had two options, to do, or not to do; and the word “do,” requiring action.

Jesus knew that the lives of His disciples would not be transformed by receiving information, He required application of the information in order to realize transformation. Jesus was simply telling us that we do not fully understand the information until we can correctly apply it to our daily lives.

One of our pastoral ministries professors instructed us that as important as proper exegesis of Scripture is, application of that truth was of even greater value. He required us to write sermons on assigned portions of the Bible. Then we were to use highlighters to specify certain portions of our manuscript: Blue for deity, Red for statements from Jesus, Yellow for information and Green for application.

We all proudly turned in our brightly colored first assignments. He graded each right in front of us. In less than fifteen seconds he quickly thumbed through the pages of each manuscript. He would then place either an “A” or an “F” on the front of document. We all received an “F!” Our beloved professor was not looking for the red, nor the blue, not even the yellow, but if each document wasn’t at least one-third green, it received an “F.” He was attempting to help us understand that application, not information, equals transformation.

So, for each of us, when we recognize a biblical truth, our next step should be to ask the Holy Spirit to help us to rightly apply that truth. Just knowing said truth does not change our lives, nor the lives of the people around us. Apply, apply, apply! For you see, the Bible is only a book of information until its readers make proper application.

Applying God’s word with you, Neal

November 14, 2025

When I got up at 3:42, the temp was 42; I’m sure glad that I didn’t get up at 3:00!

Today, I pause to pray for all of the young men who will be competing in the Wyoming state football championship games tomorrow. This is the day that the best of the best face-off to see who really is the best.

During my years of coaching football, I saw many different kinds of athletes. Usually, the most troublesome was the young man who was a natural athlete. Unless he had been coached to keep developing his gift of athleticism, such a young man usually became egotistical and difficult to coach. He could naturally play at a level above everyone else on the team by just showing up, so why sacrifice with hard work to improve? This young man’s motto is, “This team is really lucky to have me!” This young man played so that others could see how great he is.

I was always way more impressed with the young man who had to work harder than anyone else just to get a spot on the team. This young man was very coachable and was always wanting to learn. He had a work ethic that revealed that good things come to those who are willing to work for it. This young man didn’t care where he played, just so he got to be a part of the team. He played so that others could see how good his team is.

And then, there was the kid who was out for football because his dad wanted him to play. He tended to be lazy, and really not interested in learning new methods. This young man played so that his dad would notice him.

Now, take note that these three types of athletes resemble three kinds of Christians. Let’s start with the kind who is a “Christian” because their parent was a Christian. They know the basics, and that is enough. Seldom is this person willing to put in the hard work of improving skills, they too, tend to be lazy about their faith.

On the other end of the spectrum is the person who finds learning to come naturally. They know all of the right words and use them as if these words really described who this person is when no one is around. Talking the talk comes easy for this person. These folks tend to be big givers on “game day,” but really are not interested in giving of themselves during the week. Their life motto is “God sure is lucky that I decided to become a Christian.”

It’s the third type of Christian that is really a great blessing to God and mankind. This person realizes where they have come from and how amazing God’s grace really is. They work hard at getting to know their Savior at a deeper level. They too realize that hard work pays off. Their motto is, “I’m so blessed to get to serve God’s kingdom!”

I would suggest that most all of us fit into one of these categories. For one, “I am the blessing.” For another, “I’m doing this to please someone else.” Yet for others, “Jesus, I give You my life.” So perhaps we all need to ask, “Which person best describes me?”

Other personal questions might be: “Am I coachable, or am I God’s gift to humanity? Do I go to church so that others will notice, or because I want to be a part of the team, regardless of the position I play? Am I willing to do the difficult things to improve my obedience to my Lord? Am I playing to be noticed, or because of a genuine love for the game?”

It seems to me that times of solitude are great moments for self-examination. If I’m claiming to be a Christian for any reason other than “I”m a sinner saved by God’s amazing grace and I will do anything He asks of me,” perhaps I’m playing for the wrong team.

Why? Because we are all playing in the “Championship Game” of faith. Some will win a crown, and others will lose. Faith is never “Just a game!” Which team are you on?

Playing for the King with you, Neal

November 13, 2025

3:30 a.m. and 28 degrees, headed for 70 today! Well, according to my weather app, today and tomorrow are both right at that 70 mark, and then two days in the 60’s, and then it hits. Sunday is forecast to be the last day of a temperature above 60 until next spring. After this Sunday, 30’s and 40’s will be our high temperatures. Here comes ‘Ol Man Winter!

As if these long evenings weren’t bad enough, now they will be long-cold evenings. And I can’t say for you, but I don’t plan of sitting in front of a television for hours and hours. All of my younger years, winter was the time of year for company and cards.

Everyone would work hard keeping critters fed and chores done, but then after supper, we would gather to play cards. It seemed to me that most of the gathering was done at our house. Often, around 6 p.m., there would be headlights coming up the road toward our house. Pinocle was the game of choice back then.

Though I liked the game, I seldom got to enjoy it. Quite often one of the single ranch hands would show up at our house, as such, I had to be his card partner. I reckon by the time I was in third grade, I could play a fair hand of Pinocle, but I was by no means the expert that most of these ‘ol boys were.

As we played, they would grumble and gripe at me for playing the wrong card at the wrong time. I always marveled at how most of those ranch hands knew exactly what cards everyone at the table was holding, and that included my hand. If I would mistakenly play the wrong card, boy would I hear about it. Sometimes my dad would have to remind a grumpy neighbor that I was just a kid. But you know what, in time I considered every one of those men a good friend.

So by the time Miss Deb and I started dating, her right-of-passage into our community was that she had to be able to dance a nice two-step and she had to know how to play Pinocle. She picked both up right quickly, especially the dancing. By the time we were married and living on the home place, the community card game had switched to Canasta; it could be play with less tension and more laughter.

Today, I couldn’t tell you how to play either game. Why, because very few people get together to play cards anymore, we just sit in front of the television, watching mostly junk, until it’s time to go to bed. Man, you talk about wasting time! And what’s even worse, our circle of friends gets smaller and smaller.

You see, when I was a kid, playing cards and dancing were the only entertainment we had, and during both there was always plenty of visiting that took place. During such visiting, we became well acquainted with our neighbors, who for the most part, became really good friends. Now, we spend way more time with fake friends on television, rather than making real friends with our neighbors.

The same can be said for our friendship with the people in the Bible, the more time we spend with them, the better we get to know them, and the better friends they become. Yep, I’m saying that we need to spend more time with the people of the Bible, not just the lessons of the Bible.

You see, many folks find the Bible “boring.” Could it be because we don’t spend enough time getting to really know the people of the Bible. We treat them as a quick acquaintance rather than life-long friends. The Bible characters were real people who lived real lives, get to know them.

When you read a narrative with characters in it, put yourself right there with them. See what they see, smell what they smell, join them in their life-journey, be their neighbor. It’s funny how strangers become friends when we walk with each other along the path of life.

Walk with Abraham as he and Issac go to make an offering. Listen to Jesus as He teaches His disciples, of which you are one. Be there when Jesus is born, feel the warmth of that little barn in Bethlehem. Ask Mary if you could hold the Christ Child in your arms, before He began holding you in His arms.

Don’t just play the game of reading the Bible, step into the pages of the Bible. Live when and where those folks lived. Be one of them and then you will marvel how the Bible comes alive in your life! Invite a Bible character to go through a day of life with you. Get to know them. Live where they lived, so they can live where you live.

So, this long-cold winter, let’s get together, play some cards and get to know each other. The best way to do that is to invite and visit. But be careful, you just might become good friends with someone! Also, remember to get into your Bible and get to know the folks who live there as well!

Getting to know people with you, Neal

November 12, 2025

Last night, Miss Deb’s phone literally lit up with post after post of the Northern Lights. But the best part was that we drove out north of town, sat on a county road and Miss Deb was able to see the Northern Lights for the first time in her earthly travel. Me not so much.

Yesterday we started at 50 degrees, today at 4 a.m. it’s 28. That’s what a clear sky during the night does for us. However, a clear sky impacts more than the temperature.

You see, the Lord knit my body together with being color blind. All my life, I’ve struggled to distinguish colors. Dark colors are the most difficult to see, especially against a dark background. Last night was no exception. Miss Deb marveled over the beautiful red and green colors in the night sky, all I could see was a dark night sky.

When we are driving down the road and pass an apple tree in the fall, Miss Deb will say, “Wow, look at all of the apples on that tree!” All I see is a tree. Oh, and don’t worry about your orange vest giving you away when you are hunting in timber, I can’t see you until you move. I know just how those ‘ol bugle cows feel about the whole orange thing.

Here’s my comparison for today – some folks are spiritually color blind. It is always interesting how two people can look at the same verse of Scripture and only one of them can see the truth of that passage, while the other one says, “I don’t see it.”

Being physically color blind has allowed me to sympathize with people who are Spiritually color blind. The truth is right there, literally starring them in the face, and they can’t see it. It’s no laughing matter; in fact it is plumb frustrating for the one who can’t “see it!”

Yes, I know they now have glasses to help with color blindness – but they are expensive, and they do not work for everyone. For me, the real blessing is to have a sweet wife who knows to describe the beauty she is seeing to me. There is a real cure for spiritual color blindness, the Holy Spirit can help a person see that which they can’t see normally.

For all of us, the way the Holy Spirit describes the beauty of the Bible is a great blessing! That is why we should always ask for His assistance before we start reading our Bible. “Holy Spirit, please help me see the real truth of this passage, and then please help me to rightly apply it to my life.”

You see, the Holy Spirit can, and will, help us see the beauty of God’s amazing Word if we just ask. But it seems that His revelation comes the clearest to the person who is willing to apply the revealed truth. If all a person desires is to know God’s truth so that said person can act smarter during Sunday School or during small group, don’t expect the Holy Spirit to get involved in that parade. A heart desire to allow Scripture to change who we are is the key to the Holy Spirit’s assistance in “seeing” the beauty of biblical truth.

In summary, physical color blindness is something a person learns to live with. Spiritual color blindness is something that the Holy Spirit can heal immediately. Please, ask for His assistance every time before you open your Bible. When you do, it’s AMAZING the beautiful picture God has painted in the Bible for us to see!

Last night, I couldn’t see any difference in the night sky, but when Miss Deb took a picture of that sky, then I could see what she was looking at because I was no longer looking into the darkness of night. Looking at a picture on her phone was illuminating. The same is true when reading the Bible with the assistance of the Holy Spirit’s illumination – beauty abounds!

Seeing God’s beauty with you, Neal

November 9, 2025

Begin by reading Isaiah 6:1-8

It’s Sunday, and we get to go to church! But before you leave your home, please take a few minutes to pray: Pray for yourself, that your attitude and actions will glorify your Heavenly Father. Pray for your pastoral staff, if that be one or many. Pray for Sunday School organizers and teachers. Pray for musicians and singers. Pray for sound technicians. Pray for all of the electronic equipment to work correctly. Pray for those doing announcements. Pray for nursery and children’s ministry workers. Pray for those in attendance who do not yet know Jesus as Savior, my this be their day of salvation. Pray for custodial workers. Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among all in attendance today, because that is why we gather there to start with. (Read 2 Chronicles 6:40)

Pray that you and others will remember why you are really going to church. For you see, with what Sunday morning worship has evolved into today, it is really easy to overlook why we really go to church to start with.

From the church that sings their songs au Capella to the church that has a full band or orchestra, may all be done for His glory! Pray that the music is not just entertainment, but that it will help all present to participate in the worship experience. For you see my friends, with all that, our Sunday morning service or services have become, it is very easy to miss why we are there to start with. (Read Psalm 47:6)

Sunday worship is to be a time of worshiping in public the One we have been worshiping all week long in private. Yes, it is great to see friends and to encourage one-another as Scripture commands us to do, but we really are there to worship God – the real reason we are there to start with. It’s great to enjoy the music but make sure of Whom you are singing to and for. May today’s sermon be biblically based, clear and concise. May today’s sermon challenge your life and the lives of everyone present in your church facility, including the preacher. May today’s sermon change how you will live tomorrow, the real reason that you are there to start with. (Read 1 Corinthians 9:26)

You see dear friends, getting ready for church involves much more than getting cleaned up on the outside. I must start my Sunday worship by asking, “Is my inside ready to enter into the presence of all mighty God, the reason I go to church to start with.” (Read Romans 12:1-2)

And with all of the other things that need to take place for a modern-day worship service, may the Holy Spirit give each of us a glimpse of what Heaven will really be like – all eyes upon Jesus, for He is really the reason we go to church to start with!

Preparing for worship with you, Neal