Our Heavenly Dwelling

This past week our family had the privilege of going camping up at Pine Hollow, on the backside of Mt. Hood. It was a beautiful setting, with a lake 20 yards from our campsite. Hot sun, beautiful scenery, God’s creation….it can’t get any better than this.

Upon arrival, I began to do the Hunter, Protector, Gatherer, Man-thing of unloading the family van, setting up camp, and making sure our family living area was secure, and safe. This included the setting up of an old 3 room tent that my parents gave us. Oh yeah….it looks much like the picture you see up above. Can you say Old School?!

Anyways, we love it, as it is our “home away from home.” Even as I type these words, the reality of them seem quite prophetic. Every day of our lives…at least here on earth…we are living in our “home away from home”, our mortal bodies. I can’t necessary say I like my body. Much like our dumpy old tent, that has stains, missing stakes, loops, rips and tears; my mortal body has undergone some changes over the years as well. Old sports injuries to my knees, feet, and ankles….receding hairlines, and unwanted girth all plague this body of mine. I’m twice the man I used to be….right babe! : ) Thank God this is not the end result!

Paul sums these thoughts up best…

2 Corinthians 5 NIV

"1Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 6Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 We live by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."


Our spiritual life is constantly being assaulted by our adversary the Devil, but you know what, our bodies may wear out, but spirit never will!! Thank God that Jesus Christ brings Life, Value, and Power into our wind blown, weathered, and war torn tents. Though we ache to be “at home” with Him, we can be certain that while here on earth that He has made His home with us! Can you imagine all that is available to you in Christ Jesus, right now?! Awesome!

I love you all dearly,

Nathan W.