As Kelsey and I craft this Post, COVID-19 is ravaging our world and dramatically altering life as we knew it. Listening to the media, viewing the statistics, and attempting to project into the future can cause us to suffer “spiritual amnesia” in relation to the application of our heavenly Father’s instructions relating to compassionate hospitality (literally, the love of strangers-Heb.13:2). If we allow Him to lift our eyes above the current circumstances we are reminded that we are to eagerly respond to them regardless of the raging Pandemic.
Read MoreAutumn officially arrived on September 23. That means, according to Texas chat, “it’s fall, y’all”! Pumpkin lattes replaced iced drinks in coffee kiosks, pool supplies give way to pumpkins in the market, and holiday craft ideas spark the reminder that the holiday season is rapidly approaching.
Read MoreAs Retailers launch their “Back to School” sales, our minds begin the transition to “nesting” for the academic year. Many families will relocate before the school term begins, and for some, that means the purchase of a new home. Kelsey’s Korner provides you with some Critical Components on how to successfully complete that purchase.
Read MoreWhat would be your response if you carefully selected a gift and presented it to someone dear only to have him or her leave it wrapped? A myriad of emotions undoubtedly flood your mind as you consider such an ungrateful response on the part of the recipient. Putting the question in the context of God’s gift of unmerited love to us (John 3:16) is there a possibility that you might be neglecting to unwrap the one our Lord graciously custom selected for you by choosing to withhold love to others even when they are undeserving?
Read MoreWhen you think about holiday gatherings is including uplifting, positive conversation a part of your planning strategy? The Apostle Paul, in Colossians 4:5-6, provides us with a challenge to develop Table Talk Techniques so that so that our wisely chosen words will bless and purify those gathered at our table. Studying and meditating upon how our heavenly Father used food as a means of communicating His love and provision for His children provides some potential Table Talk topics. Consider the thoughts that follow to stimulate you to formulate your Table Talk Techniques.
Read MoreMy role as a Home Economics-Family and Consumer Science educator in Christian institutions for the majority of my professional career provides me with a wonderful opportunity to work with young women desiring to learn to practice the Titus 2:3-5 mandate. The mentoring relationship we establish allows me to know them in at a more intimate level than a normal college/seminary professor. As we study and acquire skills together they often share that they frequently felt that they were “ministry orphans.” Moms extended hospitality to a variety of individuals and frequently prepared yummy food items to be shared at other events. Having done so the family was left with a quick meal through the fast-food restaurant, a sandwich hastily constructed then eaten “on the run,” or a plate of macaroni and cheese made from a box—again.
My heart is always saddened because women choosing this management strategy communicate a strong message to their family that they are more focused on “looking well to the needs of others” rather than following the prototype of Proverbs 31:27 who first “looked well to the ways of her household” and then “opens her hands to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy” (Prov. 31:20).
Read MoreNow the leaders offered the dedication offering for the altar when it was anointed; so the leaders offered their offering before the altar. For the LORD said to Moses,“They shall offer their offering,one leader each day, for the dedication of the altar.” and the one who offered his offering on the first day was Nashon the son of Amminadab, from the tribe of Judah. His offering was one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundredand thirty shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary,both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering.
NUMBERS 7:10-13 NASB
As you approach this blog post an initial response could be, “this post does not apply to me—I do not have china,” and that may be true, but you do have vessels in which you serve food. These vessels may be bone china, stoneware, earthenware, plastic, stainless steel, pewter, enamelware, silver, wood, or paper. The material from which our vessels are made is not the question—rather the question is, have the vessels been consecrated to our Master’s use?
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If you were asked to define biblical hospitality how would you choose to describe it? The topic and the definition should be dear to our hearts as believers for as we practice hospitality we share what we have with those whom God brings into our lives. Biblical hospitality is focused on having a heart for service, asking our heavenly Father to creatively stretch what we have to offer refreshment to others, as well as using our time and energy to add joy to our daily lives.
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The attitude of the apostle Paul is one that all women who desire to cultivate the heart of a hostess must embrace. As we study the scriptural passages that challenge us to practice hospitality most of us can reflect on a time when we tried to extended friendship to others and were met with rejection.
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The characteristics of a woman possessing a hostess’ heart were modeled by my mother. She could, and often did, invite someone home from church because she had not only prepared a tasty meal for her family, but enough extra to include others. I grew up “helping in the kitchen” as a young child; later, as her health failed, I assumed much of the food preparation responsibilities under her supervision. When I enrolled in college and chose Home Economics as my major I realized that I had learned the food preparation skills at home; my college classes helped me align the academic principles with my existing skills.
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Do you know the birthplace of evangelism? Since the twenty-first century church has cultivated highly sophisticated procedures and tools for evangelism—training sessions, videos, seminars, manuals, and methodology books—it seems logical that the church was its birthplace. However, a study of church history reveals it was the home, not the church that served as the center for evangelism in the early expansion of Christianity.
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As the days shorten and calendar pages are turned thoughts of holiday celebrations begin to occupy our minds. Amidst your planning may I pose a question—who will comprise your holiday guest list this year?
Before you respond, consider these thoughts:
Holidays can be painful times for those without extended family in the immediate area.
It was October of my eighteenth year of life when my Dad stepped into eternity. As a college freshman I not only had to deal with my own grief, I also was faced with the responsibility of helping my mother adjust to a new lifestyle.
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