If Jesus Came to Your House - a Poem by Lois Blanchard, and a Short Sermon by Pastor Online
If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do.
Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room to such an honored Guest,
And all the food you'd serve to Him would be the very best,
And you would keep assuring Him you're glad to have Him there--
That serving Him in your home is joy beyond compare.
But--when you saw Him coming, would you meet Him at the door
With arms outstretched in welcome to your Heavenly Visitor?
Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in,
Or hide some magazines and put the Bibles where they'd been?
Would you turn off the radio and hope He hadn't heard,
And wish you hadn't uttered that last, loud, hasty word?
Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out?
Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about?
And I wonder--if the Saviour spent a day or two with you,
Would you go right on doing the things you always do?
Would you keep right on saying the things you always say?
Would life for you continue as it does from day to day?
Would your family conversation keep up its usual pace?
And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace?
Would you sing the songs you always sing and read the books you read?
And let Him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed?
Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you'd planned to go,
Or would you maybe change your plans for just a day or so?
Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closest friends,
Or would you hope they'd stay away until His visit ends?
Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on,
Or would you sigh a great relief when He at last was gone?
It might be interesting to know the things that you would do
If Jesus Christ in person came to spend some time with you.
.
By Lois Blanchard.
This poem was made into the lyrics of a popular Country & Western tune, sung by Minnie Pearl, Porter Wagoner and others. Apparently, it is a perennial favorite (though I only heard the tune for the first time a few days ago). As near as I can tell, the poem is in the public domain, so I'm pleased to share it with you here.
It makes a good point--especially the last stanza. The truth is that we have all made things too important. We had a goal and the physical material object represents the values we wanted from our goal.
The proof that goal setting is sin is that we become enslaved to first the hypnotist who we let lead us, then the goal, and then by transference, the object that stands in for the goal.
We are enslaved both when we get what we want and when we don't get it.
A good rule of thumb to know if something is a sin (and yes, there is such a thing as sin) is whether you can take it or leave it.
If you keep going back or can't say no -- to some drug, some treatment, some neighborhood naughty, something on the internet, talking on the cellphone, texting, eating something you can't say no to (even if it is health food) or even having to go to church or study some scripture -- then it is not healthy.
If you are not free to say no, they you are enslaved and it is sin. If you say no but then feel guilty and end up going back, you are enslaved. If you say no and run away, but then find yourself in a relationship with the same type of man, woman, group, church, or whatever -- you are involved with sin.
Dont' get me wrong --studying the scriptures may not be sin -- if you can read lightly until you realize something and then set it aside. But if you use study to build your pride, it is sin. If you use study to distract from something important, then it is sin. If you are ignoring your intuition and conforming to outside pressure, it is sin.
All who sin are slaves, said the Messiah.
Can you say no to your internet, your study, your lottery tickets, your bingo, your music, your marijuana? How about other people's requests. Can you say no or do you always find yourself doing what they want you to. And when you do say no, are you free, or do you feel guilty for the resentment, and you end up doing what they wanted anyway, or bending over backwards to make up?
The proof that goal setting is sin is that we become enslaved to first the hypnotist who we let lead us, then the goal, and then by transference, the object that stands in for the goal.
We are enslaved both when we get what we want and when we don't get it.
A good rule of thumb to know if something is a sin (and yes, there is such a thing as sin) is whether you can take it or leave it.
If you keep going back or can't say no -- to some drug, some treatment, some neighborhood naughty, something on the internet, talking on the cellphone, texting, eating something you can't say no to (even if it is health food) or even having to go to church or study some scripture -- then it is not healthy.
If you are not free to say no, they you are enslaved and it is sin. If you say no but then feel guilty and end up going back, you are enslaved. If you say no and run away, but then find yourself in a relationship with the same type of man, woman, group, church, or whatever -- you are involved with sin.
Dont' get me wrong --studying the scriptures may not be sin -- if you can read lightly until you realize something and then set it aside. But if you use study to build your pride, it is sin. If you use study to distract from something important, then it is sin. If you are ignoring your intuition and conforming to outside pressure, it is sin.
All who sin are slaves, said the Messiah.
Can you say no to your internet, your study, your lottery tickets, your bingo, your music, your marijuana? How about other people's requests. Can you say no or do you always find yourself doing what they want you to. And when you do say no, are you free, or do you feel guilty for the resentment, and you end up doing what they wanted anyway, or bending over backwards to make up?
And after we have sinned, we then have to cling to our things, our music, our words, our fiends, our momentos, our accomplishments, lest we lose them and be bared to the truth about our self seeking. In other words, we are enslaved to them.
I know this is heavy, and it takes a whole lot of soul searching and repentance with the help of God to face the truth about our self seeking. I'm not saying that we have to give up our material things and pet indulgences, but we must not make them too important. We must not use our things for feelings and ego support.
For starters, begin by not making anything (other than what you know is right in your heart) too important. Endeavor to stay in the present moment. When you find yourself getting pulled into an argument, or find yourself drifting away with some music--stand back. Learn to acquire things without excitement and to lose things without resentment. Be less emotional and let reason hold sway.
Don't buy things because of how they make you feel. If something excites you, then walk away until you recover your senses. Wait until you can buy or not buy based on reason, not emotion.
Be calmer. Set a good example for your family. Be patient, calm, unemotional. Be concerned but not worried. Be cheerful, have a light touch.
Be calmer. Set a good example for your family. Be patient, calm, unemotional. Be concerned but not worried. Be cheerful, have a light touch.
If you like, go to Amazon and download an mp3 of the song for 99 cents or go to Google Video and look for "Minnie Pearl If Jesus Came to Your House" and you can listen for free. Let is be a reminder to keep your perspective on life.
Serve God and don't let anyone or anything (even music) serve your pride. Remember, that if you resent anything or anyone (for tempting you or revealing your weaknesses)--that resentment also serves pride. Let everything be for God's glory.
