salvation

A Place Called Home – Song

/ pastorpete51 / 6 Comments

Sometimes advice is tough to take because what is being suggested seems really hard (or even impossible) to do. So when Barbara of My Life in Our Father’s World asked if I couldn’t write music for a poem I posted last week I thanked her for the idea but inwardly just shrugged it off. But somehow I knew my impulse was wrong on a number of levels so I began to pray and ask God if He had something more in mind than I did…(Dumb question!) You see the real issue was that the reality behind the words to this poem, now turned song, is a very painful one. I had been in five different places in three different states by the time first grade came along. My younger sister and I moved so often that it was hard to remember our phone number (No cell phones back then). But all through the avalanche of changes, God was watching and waiting for me to find in Him the home that He had prepared. And though the scars of that time remain, I can truthfully say how glad I am to know Jesus in a unique way because of that journey. I pray you will be blessed as you listen. For anyone struggling with some of those same issues I pray that you truly find that home Jesus promised when He said.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:3 ESV

God’s Simple Plan

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment 
 
 
 
 God's Simple Plan

 Not silver or even a big heap of gold
 Not fancy homes
 Or just stuff that grows old
  
 Not applause and awards
 Or a wall full of trophies
 Saying, “You a great guy!”
 Turn waves to calm seas
  
 But the cry in the night by a babe in a manger
 Was God’s simple plan to deliver from danger
 And the cross and the nails
 And the spear and a crown
 And the stone rolled away 
 From the tomb 
 Before dawn 

God's Simple Plan by Peter Caligiuri
Copyright 2021 All rights reserved

RSVP

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.”  John 1:38-39a

RSVP comes from the French phrase; “Répondez, S’il Vous Plaît” It is great a way of organizing an elaborate event so that the host knows how many people to prepare for. Now we have always loved parties but since we aren’t used to formalities we hadn’t considered using such a system for the special event we held for a few friends and family. We had reserved a room at a restaurant and invited a specific list of people. But the day of our event came and we were sad to see that some guests who we had counted on seeing had to work late and then embarrassingly some who we had forgotten to invite showed up! But when God plans a party He is way more organized than we were. His event in heaven is for everyone but when we receive our invitation we will find that inside the envelope Jesus has included a spiritual RSVP. Before showing up at Heaven’s door we will need to fill it out and send it in to be included on His list. (In the Bible called the book of life)

God’s invitation to come to Jesus is for you. The Bible tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son to pay for our invitation. Just like the disciples, we are welcome to come and see Jesus. God wants businessmen, nurses, teachers, ladies of the night and even politicians to be there! The blood of Jesus was shed to pay for us all to be there, but the question today is: What is your answer to Him?