People come in all different stripes. There are even different stripes for church people. As my generation used to say, “Different strokes for different folks.” But, is that really how it should be?

I didn’t choose the family into which I was born. Neither did I choose the church family into which I was born. I was born into Christ. HE chose me. He added me to HIS church. No one voted on whether I should be included. Who has that authority? What man or group of men decides who is “in” and “out” of relationship with God? God alone decides. He adds to his family. He rejects those who reject him. He chose us. We chose him. Chosen of him, we constitute his family. As they say in the coastal plains of Texas, "We be kin."

Those who truly repent, are immersed in water, and receive God’s Holy Spirit, belong to God. He adds each to his family. They are his church. It’s that simple.

The term church, as we use it today, is found NOWHERE in Scripture. The term “church” today refers to buildings and denominational titles and creeds! There were no church buildings and man-made creeds in the New Testament. Early Christians were united in doctrine. They worshipped together. They met in living rooms (or caves). They did not divide into denominational factions. (That came centuries later!) They had one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. They belonged to Christ. They WERE the church!

If you belong to God, you are family regardless whether you ever set another foot into a denominational church building! You are the church of Christ. Divided, you are just another Christian sect!

God’s family will dwell together in eternity. Why can we not unite here?

Let's stop dividing under popes, pastors, priests, and preachers! Division is not good for the family of God! Let's drop all the divisive creeds, religious titles, and denominational names and unite once more under Christ. Let's call ourselves by one name, the name given to followers of Christ in Scripture, the name “Christian.”

We belong to him. Our allegiance is first and foremost to the One who died for us. And, we are brothers and sisters.

So, let's love like it.

I can’t make anyone do anything. I gave that up long ago. I allow others to choose. I decide how I will react should they decide differently from what I expect or need.

Whatever made me think that I could control another person’s actions? To think that, must be close to the height of arrogance.

I remember as a child making the decision to prove to my mother she could not force me do anything. Of course I got punished for it. But, I got to decide. She let me choose the reward of obedience or the consequence of disobedience.

It is the same with God. He invites. He implores. He calls. He forces no one. He decides the consequences but he allows all to choose.

So must I.

It happened during a visit to Brno, Czech Republic. I scheduled meetings with several Christian pen pals. They came by my hotel for short visits during my two week stay. I hired a local translator to help with culture, customs, and language. He was very good.

One particular evening we dined with a sweet pen pal whom I had been writing for about a year. During the dinner conversation she casually mentioned celebrating a recent birthday. I stayed on topic and continued the conversation without responding to her birthday statement.

After she departed, the translator expressed his embarrassment. He said it was common courtesy in his country to respond when someone mentioned recently celebrating an important event like a birthday. Next time, he suggested, I should ask when the event took place and offer a birthday wish.

I explained that it was no different in our culture and that I had simply forgotten my manners and apologized for my rudeness.

Regardless of language or culture, common courtesies are always in vogue. They take little extra effort. We should go the distance and honor our relationships by extending to everyone even the smallest of courtesies. This would make for a better world and significantly improve our relationships.

I was eight years old. It was a beautiful South Texas evening. We were visiting my Dad’s uncle. All the cousins were playing outside. It was "hide and seek". I ran and hid in the back of my uncle’s truck.

Lying on my back there in the night, I looked up at the vast universe. Suddenly, I felt so homesick. I missed heaven. I missed the Father. I began begging the Father to take me home right then. Just like Enoch, I wanted him to take me. I wanted to start rising out of the back of that blue Ford truck and never be found.

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I'm kind of homesick for a country
to which I've never been before
no sad goodbyes will there be spoken
and time won't matter anymore

I'm looking now across that river,
to where my faith will end in sight
There’s just a few more days of labor,
then I will take my heavenly flight

Beulah Land, I'm longing for you,
and someday on thee I'll stand
There my home shall be eternal.
In Beulah Land, Sweet Beulah land
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I don't know about that one line of the song: “to which I’ve never been before.” I feel I've been there. How can I miss a place I’ve never been?

I miss home. But not like I did the night I tried to hide from the whole world.

I care about things that I defend. I defend what matters most. I pick my battles. I emphasize what is important. I do not defend all things equally for all things are not of equal importance.

I do not punish my child for spilling milk like I do for running into the street. Spilled milk is easily cleaned up. Running into the street gets one killed! Both are not of equal importance and should not be given equal value.

I only get upset over things that matter. I do not frustrate my loved ones. I do not want them to think I am fanatic and impossible to please.

So, I choose how I react. I measure each word. I emphasize most what matters utmost. I send clear signals as to what should be valued. I leave no doubt as to what should be defended. I communicate true feelings and true attitudes so others can know truth.

In so doing, this affirms to myself and to others who I truly am. And, this confirms what should be most valued and always protected.