Dear Brothers and Sisters:
In these days of isolation, let’s remember, “There’s no place like home.” One night on the banks of the Potomac, as the Confederate and the Union armies lay opposite each other, the Union bands played "The Star Spangled Banner," "Hail, Columbia!" and other Union Songs.
The Confederates in contest played "Dixie," and other pieces of their side. It seemed that each would play the other down.
By and by a band struck up "Home, Sweet Home!" The conflict ceased. The bands on the other side struck up "Home, Sweet Home!" and voices from opposite sides of the river joined the chorus, "There is no place like home."
We need to praise God that we now have Family Time. America's ambassador to Japan, Douglas MacArthur II, served as Counselor of the State Department under John Foster Dulles. Like Dulles, MacArthur is a hard worker. Once when Dulles telephoned the MacArthur home asking for Doug, Mrs. MacArthur mistook him for an aide and snapped irately, "MacArthur is where MacArthur always is, weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and nights—in that office!"
Within minutes, MacArthur got a telephoned order from Dulles: "Go home at once, boy. Your home front is crumbling."
How we need to keep our homes pure. President Reagan complained that the music industry and the media are providing children "with glorification of drugs and violence and perversity," and that pornographers have more rights than parents.
"I often think the real heroes of today are the parents, trying to raise their children in an environment that seems to grow more and more hostile to family life," the president said. "Music and the media flood their children's world with glorification of drugs and violence and perversity—and there's nothing they can do about it, they're told, because of the First Amendment."
“There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home that all the greatest virtues, the most dominating virtues of human society, are created, strengthened, and maintained.” —Winston Churchill
Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons; Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children. (Deuteronomy 4:9-10 KJV)
Por tanto, guárdate, y guarda tu alma con diligencia, que no te olvides de las cosas que tus ojos han visto, ni se aparten de tu corazón todos los días de tu vida: y enseñarlas has á tus hijos, y á los hijos de tus hijos; El día que estuviste delante de Jehová tu Dios en Horeb, cuando Jehová me dijo: Júntame el pueblo, para que yo les haga oir mis palabras, las cuales aprenderán, para temerme todos los días que vivieren sobre la tierra: y las enseñarán á sus hijos; (Deuteronomio 4:9-10 SRV)
Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. (Genesis 18:18-19 KJV)
Habiendo de ser Abraham en una nación grande y fuerte, y habiendo de ser benditas en él todas las gentes de la tierra? Porque yo lo he conocido, sé que mandará á sus hijos y á su casa después de sí, que guarden el camino de Jehová, haciendo justicia y juicio, para que haga venir Jehová sobre Abraham lo que ha hablado acerca de él. (Génesis 18:18-19 SRV)
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15 KJV)
Y si mal os parece servir á Jehová, escogeos hoy á quién sirváis; si á los dioses á quienes siervieron vuestros padres, cuando estuvieron de esotra parte del río, ó á los dioses de los Amorrheos en cuya tierra habitáis: que yo y mi casa serviremos á Jehová. (Josué 24:15 SRV)
And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. (Acts 18:8 KJV)
Y Crispo, él prepósito de la sinagoga, creyó al Señor con toda su casa: y muchos de los Corintios oyendo creían, y eran bautizados. (Hechos 18:8 SRV)
Ellen White has much to say about angelic visitors, the presence of the Lord Himself, and God watch-care over our homes.
“Angels are commissioned to watch in every family. Each one has the watchcare of a holy angel. These angels are invisible, but sometimes they let their light shine so distinctly that it is recognized. ... All of us should be thankful at all times for the truth that heavenly angels are watching us moment by moment.” {This Day With God, 160}
“Angels are ever present where they are most needed, with those who have the hardest battle with self to fight, and whose surroundings are the most discouraging. In all ages, angels have been near to Christ's faithful followers. The vast confederacy of evil is arrayed against all who would overcome; but Christ would have us look to the things which are not seen, to the armies of heaven encamped about all who love God, to deliver them. From what dangers, seen and unseen, we have been preserved through the interposition of the angels, we shall never know, until in the light of eternity we see the providences of God. Then we shall know that the whole family of heaven was interested in the family here below, and that messengers from the throne of God attended our steps from day to day.” {Sons and Daughters of God, 35}
“God dwells in every abode; He hears every word that is spoken, listens to every prayer that is offered, tastes the sorrows and disappointments of every soul, regards the treatment that is given to father, mother, sister, friend, and neighbor. He cares for our necessities, and His love and mercy and grace are continually flowing to satisfy our need. . . . In His care we may safely rest.” {Sons and Daughters of God, 16}
“The Lord has a special interest in the families of His children here below. Angels offer the smoke of the fragrant incense for the praying saints. Then in every family let prayer ascend to heaven both at morning and at the cool sunset hour, in our behalf presenting before God the Saviour's merits. Morning and evening the heavenly universe takes notice of every praying household.” {My Life Today, 29}
“Jesus should be the honored Guest in the family circle. We should talk with Him, bring all our burdens to Him, and converse of His love, His grace, and His perfection of character. What a lesson may be daily given by godly parents in taking all their troubles to Jesus, the Burden Bearer, instead of fretting and scolding over cares and perplexities they cannot help. The minds of the little ones may be taught to turn to Jesus as the flower turns its opening petals to the sun.” {Child Guidance, 486}
“Fathers and mothers who make God first in their households, who teach their children that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, glorify God before angels and before men by presenting to the world a well-ordered, well-disciplined family, a family that love and obey God instead of rebelling against Him. Christ is not a stranger in their homes; His name is a household name, revered and glorified. Angels delight in a home where God reigns supreme, and the children are taught to reverence religion, the Bible, and their Creator. Such families can claim the promise: "Them that honour Me I will honour."” {Adventist Home, 322}
“We need to trust in Jesus daily, hourly. He has promised that as our day is, our strength shall be. By His grace we may bear all the burdens of the present and perform its duties.” {Testimonies for the Church, 5:200}
May God bless you as you spend so much time in your home setting.
Pastor Richard Parent