Where is home for you? Do you own or pay a mortgage on a 6 or 7 figure structure loaded with all the amenities; whereby being your "dream house?" Is your house in a safe, picturesque neighborhood? Do your kids go to quality schools? Certainly, these things are all goals worthy of achievement.

Camillus, New York, where I currently set up camp, is a nice place to live. Manlius, where my ex-wife and my daughter still reside would be considered by most to be an even nicer place to live, save for the traffic and congestion. Manlius is considered one of "the" places to live in Central New York, if you are possessed of above-average means. Still, not every resident of Manlius is of the beau monde -- myself, my ex and my daughter to wit.

Yes, Dorothy was spot-on when she proclaimed that "there's no place like home." And while as of this writing my encampment is in Camillus, I do not consider it to be home. Manlius would be more like "home," because I camped there for seven years and my daughter is still there; and where she is on this earth would be the most "homey" place for her dad to be as well. My daughter is my life's greatest blessing, but all in all, Manlius is not home either.

I am an Extra-Terrestrial. I am here, but I am not of this planet. There is no place on this earth that is my home; there are only fortifications that provide shelter from the raging storm.

I am here only by God's will, His design, and His Grace. I did not choose this assignment -- as I had no say in the matter -- but I will carry out this assignment to the best of my ability and leave that to the leading of the Holy Spirit that indwells me. I take my orders from the command of the Most High, as I am a warrior and a peacemaker, a sinner and a saint.

Although I am an extra-terrestrial, I am in human form. I am of flesh, blood, and bone. While I am a warrior, I am not invincible and I can and do break. While I am a peacemaker, I stage a daily crusade of righteousness that has love as its foundation and yet thirsts for justice. Yes, I am a sinner -- and I am the worst -- but because I have accepted the gift of eternal life that Jesus so freely offered me I am a saint; despite my grievous flaws and chronic stumbling.

My, oh my, this human form is so limiting. I cannot fly just yet. I can't go from here to there in a nano-second. I cannot do complex mathematical equations without the use of calculator! And yet, it's these human senses that allow me to enjoy the sights, sounds, feelings, tastes, and aromas that are the benefits that this earth has to offer.

Ah, but these human emotions are the worst. These human emotions cause pain. And yet, I wouldn't trade these emotions for the finest house anywhere on this earth. It is these emotions that make the entire human experience so enriching for an extra-terrestrial! They make me just like you...because I am like you!

There are so many wonderful people on this earth as it exists today. And, there are so many beautiful places to spend time where I camp in Camillus and where I formerly staked claim in Manlius. But, this is not home. Instead, this warrior, peacemaker, sinner and saint -- who is an extra-terrestrial -- bears in mind the words of the Apostle Paul from Philippians 3, verses 20 through 21: But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

As the words of that scripture resonate, they open the door to that which is written in the book of Revelation, chapter 21, verses 1 through 4: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

What longing in my soul the truth of those words creates! Lately, it has been as though I can taste, feel, and smell what awaits us who are in Christ. Are you an extra-terrestrial -- here on this earth but not of this earth? Are you, too, eager to break camp and go home?