No Place Like Your Father's House

My whole blog just fell into place at church this past Sunday starting with:
 a very sweet young lady and dear friend  sharing how thankful she was for her dad and she said how there is "no place like your father's house", even after you have grown!  And whirrr goes my brain!

For many of us we do have wonderful memories of our childhood and the home in which we grew up.  Going back there stirs nostalgia, warmth, fond memories, love.
As I stood in "my Father's house" singing praises, hearing those around me talk about memories, and thanking God for blessings and providing for them....I LOVE being in my Father's house!
It really isn't the building but the people that gather there, and the reason that we gather. I lived in many different homes through out my life, but my father's house was always home....because of who was there, not the address on the mailbox.

This is important, OUR Father's house isn't the building, but who is inside....

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,  so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,  then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:1-4

...and WHO shows up!

"Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20

Jesus knew where He needed to be even when He was just a child! He had disappeared, His parents couldn't find Him, and when they did, His response.....
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2:48

There is NO place like my Father's House!

Another friend mentioned remembering their father's smell, and it was a sweet memory.  Some of us can recall;  Their  father's soap or aftershave (my dad had a bushy beard...so no aftershave!)  some smell of their work.....my dad was a farmer, and yes sometimes farm smells are unpleasant, but the smell in my memory is a mix of; hard work, mowed hay, outdoors, sunshine, life!

For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 2:15
Just like we breathe in a scent that evokes a memory, and it brings us joy and a smile to our lips, so we should breathe in fully God's love, grace and mercy.

Then, a tender hearted friend shared about those who haven't a father, or a father who doesn't love or care for them as God intended.  She went on to say how it broke her heart..but at the same time trying to convey that there are people placed in their lives that do give them love.

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:9-11

There may be those fathers do not give good things, or even do harm, but this reminds us that even when fathers who DO give everything good to their children, God can out give any of them!
We have a heavenly Father just waiting to lavish us with love ....if we believe in Him and in that love...believe in His son Jesus Christ.....

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16  
Now there is love lavished on each of us!

We closed Sunday with "When We All Get To Heaven"!

 For those of us who believe,  that is where we will be some day...with our heavenly Father! And ALL the others who believed as well!
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus
Sing his mercy and his grace
In the mansions bright and blessed
He'll prepare for us a place

When we all get to heaven
What a day of rejoicing that will be
When we all see Jesus
We'll sing and shout the victory  (E.E. Hewitt 1898)

What a DAY OF REJOICING  that will be  when we gather IN OUR FATHER'S HOUSE!!
There is NO PLACE like our Father's House!!

I pray that if you mourned more than celebrated this fathers day, that you allow God and His love to take away some of the sting.
Think about those He has given you in your life...
to love you...and to receive your love!
Thank your Heavenly Father!!  I do! for my dad and all the others who have given love in my life.
AND thank you to MY Dad, for ALWAYS providing a home for us to go to!