"We have a real home. We just don't have a house to put it in!"

East or west, home's best!

A little boy named Danny lived with his family in a trailer. One day, someone asked him, "Don't you wish you had a real home?" Danny's reply was wise beyond his years. He said, "We have a real home. We just don't have a house to put it in."

A house and a home are very different. A house is just a physical structure, made perhaps of brick or wood or stone. It can be large or small. It may not even have persons inside. If a house does not include persons, their relationships lack love or commitment.

By contrast, a home is a haven of shelter, acceptance and unconditional love. It includes at least one person. In it each person's value is unlimited, and their mutual commitment is forever. Any decent contractor can construct a house, but only God can build a home. (Bill Bouknight Illustration: Home, House, Family in "Just a Thought," Feb. 20, 2004)

For residential use only?

Jesus in comforting his disciples promised “In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2). It is worth noting that Jesus only undertook at this point to prepare them each a room in the big house. A home they already had. The disciples were already family members in God’s home; and that was the most essential.

When God bids us “come home,” He is essentially saying, “Please accept my unconditional love and be in my family.” The prodigal son never lacked a house. It was a home he needed; and this compelled him to return home. The glorious condos that Jesus went ahead to secure for us is just but one item in the ‘Come Home’ package. Christ assured us that if we “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness… all these things will be given to you [us] as well.”(Mathew 6:33). Anywhere with Jesus is home, sweet home.

I’m Coming Home

“I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: ‘Father, I have sinned against Heaven and you.’” (Luke 15:18) William J. Kirkpatrick, could not expound this story better when he composed the hymn “Lord,I’m Coming Home” to win the soul of his soloist, a nonbeliever. After Kirkpatrick prayed for the young man, these words came to him. He wrote them down quickly, and after the soloist sang them that night, he became a Christian.

I'm tired of sin and straying Lord

I've wandered far away from God,

Now I'm coming home;

The paths of sin too long I've trod;

Lord, I'm coming home.

Refrain

Coming home, coming home

Never more to roam;

Open wide Thine arms of love;

Lord I'm coming home.

2

I've wasted many precious years,

Now I'm coming home;

I now repent with bitter tears;

Lord, I'm coming home.

3

I'm tired of sin and straying Lord,

Now I'm coming home;

I'll trust thy love belive thy word;

Lord I'm coming home.

4

My only hope, my only plea,

Now I'm coming home;

That Jesus died, and died for me;

Lord I'm coming home.

5

I need His cleansing blood I know,

Now I'm coming home;

O wash me whiter than the snow;

Lord I'm coming home.

"If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." John 14:23