Multitude Monday

-

Hospitality ~ the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.

Are you hospitable?  Are you friendly?  Do you open up your home and heart to others?

The Bible teaches us that as believers we should be known for our acts of hospitality and yet, so many do not do this.  We make excuses.  We find ways to avoid it.  Or we miss the bigger picture of the definition and don't realize it's not just about being hospitable to friends, but strangers also.

I also think hospitality extends not to just our homes but the way we receive and greet people in church.  Are you welcoming to visitors?  Do you go out of your way to include others in your circle?  Do you make them feel happy to be there?  Or do you give them the cold shoulder or look at them with suspicion?  Or perhaps you spend the time before and after the service only speaking with your close friends.

I know many would say, "Of course, I welcome visitors!"  But just a perfunctory greeting is not what I'm talking about.  Go out of your way to spend more than a few moments speaking with them.  Show them where the coffee is.  Give them a bulletin if they don't have it.  Offer to sit with them.  Put aside YOU for a moment to make someone else feel important.

It's such a simple thing and yet one that is overlooked quite often.

Hebrews 13:2 ~ Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Yesterday, even though our service starts at 10 a.m., Dan went out of his way to go pick up an older gentleman who has no way to get to church.  We had found out that he has not been eating well and we were having a potluck dinner afterwards so Dan wanted to make sure he was fed.  We sent him home with leftovers too.  Dan could have said, "As the pastor, I need to prepare." but he didn't.  He took time out of his busy Sunday to pick him up and take him home.  That is hospitality.  Setting aside our own desires and needs for those of another.

Let's work hard at showing this wonderful gift to other people!  Don't make the excuse, "I don't have this spiritual gift."  It may not be your strong point, but reaching out to others is required of ALL believers!  And you never know, you may just be entertaining an angel! :-)

This week I'm thankful for blessings #2211-2220.

2211.  Enjoying breakfast with a friend.
  


2212.  A better week for Nathan.

2213.  A confirmation from the Lord.

2214.  A husband who sets aside his needs for those of another.

2215.  Ruby red apples.



2216.  A peaceful Sunday.

2217.  Church dinners.

2218.  Rows of hard work.



2219.  Living in a country where I'm still free to study God's word.

and finally...

2220.  Practicing hospitality.

Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 27, 2014 at 10:33 AM

    Terri, I can't tell you how much I liked this post. I wish I could pass it on to the people at the new Church we are attending. Most of them need a little hint about hospitality. We have been attending there for a year now and I am just now feeling a little comfortable. If it wasn't for my husband I would have not stayed. I am sure God has great plans for us to serve there but it is just taking time to work it out.

    I hope Nathan (and mama) have a wonderful, wonderful week. That Dan is such a good man. He could have called someone else to pick up this man. I have a feeling Dan felt more blessed by his kind act than the man did. Thanks for sharing that story.

    Love you,
    Debbi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TerriOctober 27, 2014 at 11:35 AM

      I'm glad you are starting to feel more comfortable. They say fish can't see the water they swim in so I think people never realize how inhospitable they are being. And Dan is definitely a keeper! :-)

      Delete
  2. AnonymousOctober 27, 2014 at 12:39 PM

    Your husband is the definition of a "true pastor," Terri. He does what Jesus would have done. Many pastors would have ignored that man. Your congregation is lucky to have Dan as their pastor. Also I'm glad Nathan had a better week.
    God bless, Kathy

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

I love your comments and encouragement! I can't always respond back but do read each comment.

Popular posts from this blog

Choosing Not to Kick the Cat

-
Image
The choices we make can either be good or bad. So many don't realize that even our attitudes and feelings are a choice. We have a choice each day to make that day one in which we will react to our circumstances or choose not to react. I can choose to let someone else's bad day ruin mine, or I can choose to not take on someone else's attitude. When Dan and I were first married we worked for a sales organization. I still remember listening to a motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar who was talking about this topic. He gave the scenario of a man being a work and having a boss that was berating him all day long. The man then came home and snapped at his wife. His wife, in turn, yelled at their son for a small infraction because she was upset. The son was now hurt by his mom and pushed his little sister. She, being the youngest, turns around and kicks the cat! Zig talked about making a different choice by not allowing others bad behaviors and moods cause you to respond in the
Read more

Oh What to Do; I'm Sixty-Two!

-
Image
Today is my sixty-second birthday and it's hard to believe I've achieved that....um....seasoned age! My first thought this morning was one of not being sure that I like it. However,  as I thought I about it, I decided to take joy in the fact that I've reached an older age. Because age comes with benefits. Benefit #1 - I'm a bit wiser.   When I look back at some of the decisions I made when I was younger, I cringe. With age has come the ability to slow down and think things through before I make major upheavals in my life. I've also discovered that getting worked up about certain things is just an absolute waste of emotional energy. Benefit #2 - I'm enjoying my life.   As I've aged I've learned all kinds of skills and hobbies and can honestly say that I'm never, ever bored. I love all the different things I'm able to do and it's fun! Benefit #3 - I've learned to appreciate my relationships. With age I've learned to work on developing a
Read more

Eating to Live

-
Image
  Despite the unexpected busyness and interruptions, I have been plugging away at my weight loss as well as writing the plant-based, whole food cookbook. Recipe testing fell by the wayside the past two weeks, but I've still gotten a good chunk of the book done. I also got on the scale this morning for another one pound loss which makes a total of 61 lbs. since I started this journey back in July. It's second nature at this point and I have so much more energy and feel healthy. The only negative is that because I've lost so much weight I'm seeing some sagging, crepe-papery skin happening. Yuck. Some of that is age and I need to figure out some toning exercises. It's definitely a life-style change, but a positive one which I'm so thankful I started on. The pictures above are a small selection of meals I've eaten the past two months and many of those will be included in the book.  This will be a printable e-book as I find that will be the easiest and most cost
Read more