When my wife and I retired, we imagined buying a home on the East Coast of the US, while keeping our current one out West, to be nearer family, while enjoying each coast’s seasonal good weather. As we checked out various options, our confusion levels reached astronomic heights, accompanied by no peace of mind. What to do? How and where and when? While visiting my mother in her retirement home and blabbing all about our dilemma, my brother gave some savvy advice. He’s the smarter one of the boys in my family!

His sage words? Rent! Don’t buy. Hang onto your retirement nest egg and let someone else shoulder the worries of home ownership. Go where you want. Stay here. Stay there. Just don’t get tied down. Hmm. There’s an idea.

And that’s what we did. Over and over again. At a 15th-century manor house in England for two months. In Brooklyn, New York, a couple of times. Some condos on Seabrook Island, South Carolina. Then, in the city of my birth, Jersey City, New Jersey, with a lower Manhattan view at sunset from the New Jersey side. Then, to find sun and warmth in winter, we rent in Palm Springs, California. Not forgetting all those rentals at my favorite place, down the shore, on the beach at Ocean City, New Jersey! Rent…rent…rent.

To be frank, some rentals have been satisfactory, even quite fine. Others, hardly worth remembering, which turn out to be quite hard to forget, where I hunt out a terrific bargain, which, as it turns out, proves that the old adage is still true–‘you get what you pay for’.

The last straw came with a vengeance. I won’t say where, but this apartment turned out to be an ant-infested dump, featuring cheap, thin, sheer window curtains as blankets and bedspreads (that’s right), no heat until two weeks after our stay was up, topped off by a television possessed by something evil. This hangout, when pictured on the rental online site, seemed like some other place, the opposite of what we’d fallen into, all for a rock-bottom weekly price, offered by what turned out to be a slumlord.

Oh well, can’t win ’em all. But you can see why my wife handed me my walking papers concerning future vacation rentals! ‘But it was such a deal!’ ‘Good for you. You’re fired!’

I was thinking about this as I read John 14, where Jesus reminds us of our home with Him, over the hilltop, on the other side of this life, where death is defeated, and joy reigns forever. Our home away from home. With no more stodgy rentals. No more dodgy hotels. Or packing up and moving on. Missed connections, lost luggage, security checks, or delayed flights.

For Jesus promises something better, truly the very best. For those who believe in Him, who trust His Word more than anyone else’s, hear our Lord’s promise–‘In my Father’s house are many rooms (I like the King James Version translation of ‘mansion’ better! Don’t you?)…I go to 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: 2-3).

His assurances should put a smile on my face that nothing and no one can ever wipe off. But do they? Too often, sad to say, I allow little troubles to push Jesus’ good words to the back burner of my mind. So far away that they don’t do me much good.

So I mope around, being overly sensitive to the slights of others, intended or not. Worried about what shoe will drop next. Or what’s in the mail. Or that medical test result. Or whatever troubles will cast ominous shadows into this coming new year.

This week, I’m going to remind myself of what Jesus says in John 14, about that place He’s preparing for you and me. That we’ll be with Him always. And all for good. For the worst day we’ll ever have in this life is the worst day we’ll ever have. Heaven will be just that. And not a smidgeon less.

And I’ll bet, while not being a betting man, that as I focus on my Lord and what He says for a change, my heart and mind will run on better tracks. Less wobbling and waffling, wondering if I should trust God or just tough it out on my own.

No close calls, let alone a derailment or two, falling into prior sins. But more with a steady confidence that Jesus is in front of me and behind me, above and below, and by my side. As close as close can be, knowing that He’s totally trustworthy. And that on His train, He’ll lead me exactly where He wants me to go. Always with Him. Finally, in my home away from home!

Lord Jesus, thank you for your words to live by. Help me to rely on them more and more. Amen.

Christmas Day is right around the corner. A day to celebrate, thanking God for the gift of His only Son, Jesus. The Babe of Bethlehem. The promised Messiah, who saves us and makes us His own. That should be the best Christmas gift of all. Is it enough for you?

As you explore this gift, you discover that you can have a relationship with God unlike any other. Where you can cozy up closer to Jesus and pour out your heart to Him. Is that like your bond with God? Or mine? Or are we a tad too polite to ask Him for something? Presumptuous to expect the Lord of Creation and History to pay any attention to little old me? Or you?

I’ve known some who think it’s selfish to ask the Lord for anything for themselves. And we know many who can’t see beyond themselves. Oy veh, such a choice. I’d rather be like those found in Psalm 107.

In what way? All throughout this psalm, a certain phrase is repeated–‘Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress’ (Ps. 107: 6, 13, 19, 28). Four times they wail and howl to God, shedding buckets of tears. All their troubles are placed at His feet. He hears everything and answers them all in His way and in His time. Should we hold back and tough it out all on our own? Not on your life. For cryin’ out loud, tell your Lord!

There’s even more found in Psalm 107–‘Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man’ (vs. 8, 15, 21, 31). Don’t forget to be thankful, especially during the Christmas season. Keep Christ front and center. Never use His name as a swear word. Never. But bless Jesus, exuding appreciation and gratitude. Instead of a potty mouth, always have a holy one.

Enjoy a very Merry Christmas. And a Happy Christmas to all our British and Commonwealth readers as well!

Thank you, Jesus, for coming into our world to love and save us and be with us forever. Such a gift. Amen.

In Revelation chapter 14, the 144,000 sing their praises to God. Avoiding all the crazy guestimates about the meaning of numbers and identities, obviously, these are all the saints of all time praising God Most High. Like the angels who sing to those watchful Christmas shepherds, saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’ (Luke 2: 8-14 for the full story). During Advent, we love to sing the carol ‘Angels We Have Heard on High’, which is a resounding musical echo of glorious praise for the coming Messiah, Jesus.

Now, it’s true that loud noises aren’t always among our favorite things. Annoying ones, like when trucks run compressors to clean household rugs. Or when, on vacation, another of those blasted compressors, across the street from where we’re renting, revs up its noisome racket daily from 8am to 4pm. Terrible.

But this din of the angels is of a different sort. No raising a ruckus but a blending of tones and overtones, lifting high their melodious praises to God.

When my wife and I were staying at Niagara Falls, we loved the nighttime fireworks display. I’ve enjoyed any such illuminations since childhood. But here we had the merging of the roar of the falls, the booms and dazzle of the fireworks, along with lightning and thunder from a fierce storm that rolled in that same night that I just didn’t want to stop.

In heaven, joyous singing will go on forever. It will be impossible not to raise our voices, to thank the Lord for all His wonder and goodness. Couldn’t stop if we wanted to, which we don’t and won’t. We’d literally explode trying to keep all our praise inside us.

No way. Let it out. Maybe sing a little louder in church this Sunday? With a carol or two? Give a good shout?

Like those angels heard on high by shepherds here below.

Lord Jesus, I love you and am happy to tell you that each and every day. Amen.

I know Thanksgiving Day here in the United States has passed, and that we’re into the celebration of Advent, preparing for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. But why not continue giving thanks, never letting up or taking for granted what the Lord provides? As in the humbling joy of being in His family. And our gratitude to Jesus for saving us from eternal separation from God. Thanksgiving is a holiday to hold onto.

Digging deeper into our Bibles to discover more about never-ending thankfulness, we meet the Old Testament character Nehemiah, back in downtrodden Jerusalem, on leave from his political job as cupbearer to the Persian king. Nehemiah gets to work, organizing the rebuilding of the Holy City’s walls and gates. Later, in chapter 12, he gathers a team of priests and Levites whose primary responsibilities are to praise and thank God musically.

What exactly is their calling? Read Nehemiah 12: 8–‘And the Levites… (were) in charge of the songs of thanksgiving.’ These were singers and choir leaders. This is their main job? That’s what it says. No, it’s not some spiritual hobby for brownie points. But an appointed privilege almost beyond measure. To lead God’s people in musical admiration, waxing lyrical to the Almighty.

This was nothing new. Read on–‘For long ago in the days of David and Asaph there were directors of the singers, and there were songs of praise and thanksgiving to God’ (v. 46). Even before Solomon’s Temple was built, grateful songs rang throughout Moses’ Tabernacle, its courts, and the streets of Old Jerusalem.

In Nehemiah’s day, when Jerusalem’s walls and rebuilt Temple were dedicated, thanksgiving never lets up. It was so prevalent that this happened–‘…and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away’ (v. 43). Joyous thanks echo throughout the Holy City’s hills and valleys and even beyond.

Our thanks to God should never let up. Or be limited to one day a year. But more like Anna in the Christmas story, who stays in Herod’s Temple, waiting patiently year after year, to see the Messiah of Israel. Her patience and perseverance never let up until she finds the Messiah–‘And coming up that very hour she (Anna) began to give thanks to God…’ (Luke 2: 38).

This Christmas season heralds a time to thank God for all His good gifts to us, especially His Son, Jesus. All month long, let our praises be heard. Singing carols and all. Planning gifts to bless those we love. Giving to those desperately in need.

May joy fill our hearts and homes with continual… Well, you know what. Just never let up!

Thank you, Father, for the gift of your Son Jesus. Amen.