The Sanctuary

What is a sanctuary? Webster defines it as "a consecrated place:  a: the ancient Hebrew temple at Jerusalem or its holy of holies b (1): the most sacred part of a religious building." When I think of a sanctuary I think of a holy place; somewhere you can go to feel the presence of the Lord. A quiet place, reverent, solemn, joyful, peaceful, calm. A place with stained glass windows, prayer alters, the Lord's Supper Table, bibles, candles, hymnals, pews, pulpit, piano, choir loft and a baptismal. I asked my fellow facebook friends what comes to mind when they hear the word "sanctuary" this is what some of them had to say: peace, safe place, worshipping, safe haven, God's word, souls saved, total mercy, a song called Sanctuary, the presence of God, a refuge ...   I think the sanctuary should be considered a holy place and treated as such. Sadly the world has changed the look and feel of the sanctuary and it makes me sad. I don't think there is anything "holy" about darkness, flashing lights or even smoke in the sanctuary (not on purpose anyway). I suppose modern churches must think that too, considering they've changed the name of the sanctuary to the "worship center". I know it doesn't change what it is, but it does change how I perceive it. I am not saying that people aren't worshipping when they go into a worship center.  That is NOT the point of my post. However, my heart longs to keep the sanctuary just as it is; a sanctuary ( a holy place of quiet reverence).  I want my sanctuary back.   I am praying that the church will rise up and be what it has ALWAYS been, a sanctuary.

Exodus 25:8 "And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them."
 

This is an old hymn my mom and I used to sing at Tucapau Baptist. My heart longs for this type of worship. Read the words:

Just as I am written by William B. Bradbury

Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidst me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

2. Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

3. Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

4. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
sight, riches, healing of the mind,
yea, all I need in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

5. Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

6. Just as I am, thy love unknown
hath broken every barrier down;
now, to be thine, yea thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Go be a blessing . . .

The opinions expressed in this blog are those of myself, Susan Boiter Neal and not of anyone else.   I speak on behalf of myself and what is on my heart. I am open to listen to other peoples thoughts and ideas as well.  If you'd like to comment my facebook feed is open, however, if anyone says anything disrespectful I will remove it. 

In memory of dad ...

Seven years ago today I stood in an ICU room holding my dads hand as he entered into the presence of our Lord and Saviour Jesus. I am so thankful that he was a Christian and because of that I know I will see him again in heaven. So many memories flood my mind as I look back over my life with my dad. He loved me so much; I don't think I realized how much. He was very strict and at the time I didn't appreciate all of the rules. Now I realize that raising a daughter is tough and he wanted to protect me just like I want to protect my daughter. He did a great job!!

Some of my best memories were of us fishing together and drinking chocolate milkshakes. We loved to eat at the Beacon and Joe's Lake and many other dives. As a little girl I can remember going outside after a big rain and holding the flashlight while daddy picked up night crawlers.  We'd walk through the woods hunting deer tracks and then when I got older he taught me how to shoot a 38. Our country rides and the stories we shared probably meant the most to me.  He was an excellent listener and cared about ALL of my heart breaks. When I found true love he walked me down the aisle on my wedding day in spite of having a kidney stone attack.  He was in pain yet fulfilling his fatherly role of giving me away. He was my biggest cheerleader. He was not only my father, but my friend.   Memories that I will always cherish.

I've traded in my tears for smiles of great memories. I am happy knowing how much he loved my mom and our family.  He loved Chris and Olivia. Dad and Chris were buddies from the beginning and Olivia's big brown eyes melted his heart. Chris is a sweet dad to Olivia just like my dad was to me. He is so good to us and I am thankful that all of us are Christians. This earth is just part of our journey home. We will all meet up in Heaven one day.

Remembering my dad, Ray J. Boiter, Sr., today and always ...

The New Toothbrush

It all started with a free Oral B toothbrush my dental hygienist gave me.  I didn't put much thought into this toothbrush prior to using it, but boy as I brushed, I was singing it's praises.  I walked into the hallway and began to tell Chris and Olivia how awesome this new toothbrush felt.  It was like I was giving myself a professional cleaning.  This brush has two round sets of bristles in the middle and longer bristles on the sides AND it has a soft rubbery part on the back.  I told them if I had known it was going to be that nice I would have used it sooner.  End of story? not quite. . . By the time I took Olivia to school and came back home to have my quiet time the Lord had pressed into my heart a very strong point.  He said,  if I liked that toothbrush so much and I didn't even need it, how much more would someone who really needs one enjoy it? We have some dear friends that we've been exchanging gifts with for years.  I love and cherish this small group of friends and enjoy the gift exchange, but somehow this toothbrush issue changed my heart.  It's honestly like the Lord said, "Susan why buy your friends another scarf or book to add to their collections when you can pack a toothbrush (and many other items) for a child in need instead? So I prayed about it ... I talked to Chris and Olivia about it and then I typed a letter sharing with my friends what the Lord put on my heart.  Instead of us buying for them or them buying for us we could pack shoe boxes in honor of each other. The letters went in yesterdays mail and Olivia and I already shopped and started packing the five shoe boxes after school yesterday. Our church is one of the collection sites so we will drop them off next week. We are so blessed in this country.  We use so many things everyday (like a toothbrush) and we don't even give it a second thought.  A toothbrush or even a hairbrush will be a luxury item for the child who receives it. Maybe you will consider packing a shoebox in honor of one of your friends?  It's fun to shop for the shoebox items and just knowing that we get to be a small part of making a child's day brighter is worth it.  I am going to share pictures of some of the items that can be packed in a shoebox.  If you are interested contact me or you can go to www.samaritanspurse.org

 

We plan to add more candy like lollipops and smarties, but as you can see it's very simple to do.  AND you know what the best part is, each of the children will receive information about Jesus.  They will know that someone cares about them and that makes me smile.  It's the little things friends, the simple, little things that matter most.

Go be a blessing . . .