My Fathers House

Come and go with me
to my Fathers house
Come and go with me
to my Fathers house

[CHORUS]
It's a big big house
with lots and lots a room
A big big table
with lots and lots of food
A big big yard
where we can play football
A big big house
Its my Fathers house

Ibidibidee bop bop bow whew! yeah!
Remember that song? It is by Audio Adrenaline, one of their first hits way back in the early '90's. I always loved that song because it told of a Father's House that was approachable, , comfortable, safe, where there was food, a big yard to "Play Football" and most important it had "Lots and Lots of Room."
There is a very old Hymn that they used to sing in church when I was little it was traditional to sing it during the "Alter Call" (The moment after the sermon, when the preacher would invite you to come forward to the "Alter" and give your life to Jesus}. The song was "There is Room at the Cross for YOU" Remember that song? If you from my generation, and have been in church long, I am sure you do. John 14 1-2": “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
What is God saying here? The same thing Audio Adrenaline is saying in their "Big House" song, the same thing that old hymn says in the second line: "Though MILLIONS have come, there is still room for one, There is room at the Cross for you." You see, God's House is BIG, HUGE, it will NEVER be full. God will never turn anyone away.
I remember going to Grandma's house on Thanksgiving. She lived in Oklahoma, and it was starting to get a little chilly, the leaves were all over the yard. I would play football either by myself, or with my Dad, as we smelled the "Magic Aroma" coming from inside Grandma's kitchen. I would throw the ball into the air, be the sports announcer as the "receiver runs under the ball, catches it, and the Dallas Cowboys have won the Super Bowl on that great catch by Chris Calvin", "Listen to the crowd roar" Then before I knew it, Dinner was ready, and we would all sit down (at the Kids table, of course) to a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner. These are wonderful memories, memories that I cherish from my child hood. What made it so special? Well it was Thanksgiving, the family was together, there was GREAT food, it was just special. But mainly it was "Grandma's" house. I always felt special at Grandma's. Why? Because she spoiled me, she loved me, she always had time for me, she was my Grandma. I felt safe at her house, safe and secure.
God is like this, only about a Zillion times more. I love the song : "Big House", because it paints a picture of safety, love, fun and food, where there is: "Lots of room".
I have heard this song, "Big House" sang in Children's Services, (with motions), I have heard it at Youth services (also at the motions) I have heard it during "Adult" services ( And I have wanted to do the motions). It crosses all age gaps, it crosses all the gaps we have as people. Why? Because it tells the same story as John 14:1-2, That God has a "House" for us, where we can go be safe, have fun, feel safe, and have plenty of room. I can imagine kids hearing that song and thinking they could have their own room, because there is "lots and lots of room".
In John 14:1-2 I love the last part as well. " .........If it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you" To me, God is saying, "I would not lie, I only speak truth, if this wasn't so I would have told you so, AND I am going away to get things prepared.
My Mom died about a year and a half ago. My sister told me recently that she was asking God, why Mom was not healed, and He took her home. Candy, my sister, said God spoke to her and said: " She is preparing for the rapture of my children" If you knew my Mom, you would almost or would cry here, you see, my Mom loved to entertain. She took after her mom, (My Grandma) when it came to cooking, greeting, talking to visitors, she LOVED to host parties. She loved it so much, that when my Dad was in Vietnam, she took the opportunity to go back to college and get her degree in, guess what subject? "Home Economics" with a minor in the "Cooking Arts" Mom loved to have guests over. She took pride in the presentation of a meal as much as the meal itself. I don't know how many times, growing up, we took a picture of the table with the "Feast" ready to be devoured. ANY holiday, or birthday lunch.........we have pictures of the table spread, somewhere, I guarantee it.
So guess what my Mom is doing right now? Easy she is mixing up her famous " Strawberry Heaven" in Heaven, she is sitting the tables with the finest silverware, and plates and glasses. She is seeing that the roasts the chickens, the lamb, the vegetables, the mashed potatoes, the gravy, the salad...........are all being prepared the way she always has. Mom never sat long at the table when we all sat down to a meal, she would pop up and take care of something on the stove, or go get someone more whatever. She was a HOST, and she made you feel at home, regardless of if you were family or not. When God told this to my sister, she cried, and when Candy told it to me, I cried. Because this is so "MOM". God needed her talents in Heaven, and called my Mom to help.
I am starting to get hungry, now with all this talk of good food, but more I am getting homesick for that "Big House", with that big table, that big yard, and all that room. I am getting homesick for my Mom, but I know she won't be able to talk very long, she is "hosting", she will be making sure everyone has enough to eat, to drink, that they like everything...........
God wants you at His table, His House, His yard. He wants you to partake of my Moms Strawberry Heaven,(you won't be disappointed ).
What is the "Catch", you say? You got me there is one. You have to let Jesus Christ come into your heart, and take care of all your problems, issues, hatred, sins, doubt, depression, worries, mistakes, ..............before you can go into God's House. I know, I know, that is pretty hard, but just think of the food.
If you have that song somewhere, find it and listen to it again. Go on line and find it, watch the old (yeah it is pretty old) video that goes along with it. I feel that Audio Adrenaline were really listening to God when they wrote and performed that song. They were concentrating on how Safe, Secure, and comfortable God's house is for us.
You know what else is neat? We don't have to wait until we go to heaven before we can feel the security, love, hope, safety, of God's House. When we give it "ALL" to Him, we are part of the family, and we can partake NOW. We can share great food, fellowship, love, fun, and warmth with our fellow believers, right here in our world. Fellowship with other Christians is so much fun, we really love to eat, it seems, and talk, and share and serve together. Don't wait, join the family right now, like the song says, "Lots and Lots of room" is there, and the food, and the football, and my Mom is waiting to greet you at the door.
But more importantly, God, Jehovah, the maker of everything and His Son, who died for us all, will be there at the door too. He will know your name, everything about you, and He will welcome you to "HIS HOUSE" Himself. Come on "ALL" are welcome. There is plenty of food, fun, fellowship and the kids are starting a football game in the back yard after we eat, let's go watch.