The Ezra House

I just returned to the hotel where I'm staying near the airport closest to Harrisburg, PA. 

While here, I spoke at two lovely events, both hosted at Carlisle Evangelical Free Church (Carlisle, PA): a spring event for the women of the church and a MOPS (Mother's of Pre-Schoolers) celebration. Truly, I'm humbled by the opportunities the Lord opens up for me! It's ME, after all! 

Anyway, the women's ministry director, along with her committee, picked the topic of "joy" for our Tuesday-night-theme. 

I do love speaking on joy, and find that the notion of it is sprinkled throughout the entirety of Scripture. For Jesus-Followers, joy should be an attitude of everyday living. 

Paul tells us in Philippians, it's a learned behavior, and we should really find reason to REJOICE (in fact he says it twice) at all times and always (Phil 4:4).

It isn't dependent on circumstances being "just right."

It doesn't even depend on people acting "just right" toward us.

Joy is a contented mindset; a heart at rest, that accepts and even thrives, no matter what the circumstances (my working-definition).

I share this introduction to lead into a little story...

While some folks decide to personalize objects they own, we've never been too creative in that arena.

For over 40-years, we've called the 35-acres where we live, THE PROPERTY. 

(I need to update my pictures. The sign now says "The Forrest's and The Cott's")

I know...imaginative and inspiring, right?

Some folks name their vehicles.

Ours are called THE SUBARU and THE TRUCK.

Again, innovative and novel!

Our house (while I sometimes refer to it as my "sighing place") is just "home."

We draw the line at living things...so, bless their hearts, the children received names, as did the horses.

However, recently, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, who have lived next door to us for as many years as we've lived on THE PROPERTY, recently down-sized and we bought their house with our retirement funds.

The plan is that when our son, Adam, and his wife, Cher, retire from the military in a few years, they will buy the house from us.

In the meantime, what do we do with two houses (and, not one of them is on a beach in a sunny location!)? 

Ah, but God...He has been directing our hearts to use this as a bit of a "retreat center." 

A place for small groups of women, or married couples, or (?)...that are looking for a "get away" with spiritual purpose. 

It could help fray the monthly payment and utilities, but, prayerfully, be a gift in deepening relationships, allowing rest, restoration, and spiritual renewal. 

That means, we have to stop calling that house "Truett and Sherri's."

For 40-years it's been "Truett and Sherri's."

So, with our mission-purpose, as stated above, we began to pray what label to put on the house until it one day becomes "Adam and Cher's."

Here's where the word of the week, joy, comes into play.

Along with rest, restoration and spiritual renewal, it is, also, our prayer that when folks leave this sweet place of refuge, they will be leaving with revived joy.

For, it is so true what Nehemiah records, 

"The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10)." 

So, stay with me (smile)...there is a point coming and a question for you to ponder.

The priest, Ezra, spoke those words after the temple and the wall around the city of Jerusalem had been rebuilt (following the Babylonian devastation): a BIG DEAL for the exiles returning to Israel.

So, someone brought Ezra the scrolls (Scripture) and the people stood and listened to the words Ezra spoke from the Book of God's Law. 

With enraptured hearts, they listened through the long day (standing hours ! in the sun), into the coolness of the night.

When Ezra finished his reading, the people wept. They bowed with heads to the ground and worshipped the Lord.

They wept for their ears were attentive to the Word, and the eyes of their hearts saw how far from the Truth they had wandered....

....and, they grieved that loss.

Ah, but, sweet Ezra, stood again, and told the folks, "No! No! Don't grieve. This is a holy day. A day of celebration. Now, that we have direction from the Lord, let us go from here in great joy"...because 

Being in God's PRESENCE

ALWAYS

leads us to a joy-filled EXPERIENCE!

Oh, my!

We all need a place to regroup and read the Word (undistracted by the world around us).

A place where we allow our eyes to be open, and our ears to be attentive to the Spirit's voice.

We all need a place for our "Ezra" (the Spirit of the Lord, in our case) to remind us to seek, to read, to listen, to obey, and to go forward in great joy...and, celebrate spiritual renewal!

Hence, Truett & Sherri's will become "The Ezra House" (if I can ever let go of old habits - they die HARD!)...

... A place to be all the above and more.

We didn't need to buy the house next door with our retirement funds to have an Ezra House; but, I am reminded, since I have one, that regularly, we need to step out of the everyday routine, and enter into a spot where we allow the Spirit of the Lord to wash over us with God's Reviving Words.

A place that is set apart from our regular daily quiet time.

A place that gives us specific, intentional, purposeful interaction away from distraction!

A place where we meet with Jesus, and...

...then, leave in the joy of the Lord, our strength! 

Here's your question:

If we all need an "Ezra House," where's yours?

Is it a corner in your own home, or on your property?

A place by a river?

A comfortable retreat center?

A porch?

A tent in a nearby forest?

A kayak on a lake?

Find your spot.

Spend significant time in the Word.

Renew Your Joy.

...and leave restored in the strength of the Lord!

(This is one of Bay's "Ezra" spots...as he says, "Life always looks better when looking between the ears of a horse.")

Hope you already have your place!

If not, find one...