 | "Frodo was now safe in the Last Homely House east of the sea. That house was, as Bilbo had long ago reported, 'a perfect house, whether you like food or sleep, or storytelling, or singing, or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all.' Merely to be there was a cure for weariness, fear and sadness.” (from Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien) What kind of house do you live in? Most of us live in a house. Even our homeless community has a space they call home. Is your house or camp a "homely house," or just a house? When God said the "earth was His and the fullness thereof," he meant houses, too. (Psalm 24:1) One version says, "the earth is the Lord's and everything in it." |
EVERYTHING includes my house! Is your house a homely house where people come for a "cure for weariness, fear and sadness?"
We recently heard Francis Chan talk about how he and his wife have always had an open door policy in their home. He said that even when they were first married and hardly had room to turn around, their home was open for anyone who needed a place to stay. It wasn't always easy or pleasant, but he felt the Lord wanted them to have an open door policy. They still have that to this day (and no, don't call Francis and ask if you can move in with him and his wife!).
I am afraid that we live in an age when all our possessions are for US. We like our space. We like a low stress level. Unlike what we start out teaching our children, we don't like to share.
I am guilty. I enjoy solitude. I like sitting on my porch with just my birds for company.
But how many stories can I tell about bird watching? I saw a mourning Dove today. I saw a red bird. Oh goodie, I saw a yellow finch!
Well, la-de-da.
I don't want to be just a bird watcher. I want people to feel safe in the last homely house east of the Smokies! I want a perfect house where people can get good food, good sleep, good stories and singing...or if they like...just sit on the porch and watch my birds.
Do you live in a homely house? Or do you just live in a house?
"My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest." Isaiah 32:18
We recently heard Francis Chan talk about how he and his wife have always had an open door policy in their home. He said that even when they were first married and hardly had room to turn around, their home was open for anyone who needed a place to stay. It wasn't always easy or pleasant, but he felt the Lord wanted them to have an open door policy. They still have that to this day (and no, don't call Francis and ask if you can move in with him and his wife!).
I am afraid that we live in an age when all our possessions are for US. We like our space. We like a low stress level. Unlike what we start out teaching our children, we don't like to share.
I am guilty. I enjoy solitude. I like sitting on my porch with just my birds for company.
But how many stories can I tell about bird watching? I saw a mourning Dove today. I saw a red bird. Oh goodie, I saw a yellow finch!
Well, la-de-da.
I don't want to be just a bird watcher. I want people to feel safe in the last homely house east of the Smokies! I want a perfect house where people can get good food, good sleep, good stories and singing...or if they like...just sit on the porch and watch my birds.
Do you live in a homely house? Or do you just live in a house?
"My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest." Isaiah 32:18
