Hospitality

There is no doubt in my mind that hospitality is a spiritual gift. Those who have it make it look easy. I appreciate that because I have to work at it. I have seen some great examples of hospitality who have taught me much about showing mercy to others through hospitality. There are those close to me who have the gift and part of the nature of this gift is that they would not want to receive any credit for it.

One of our dear friends from the past was a real southern lady named Rae. Many times we ate at her table in Kentucky with her husband, John. There were plates of fried chicken or country ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, and there were always pies.

After dinner she would pull a tall stool up to the sink and start on the dishes. We always offered to help but she always turned us down in her gentle but firm way.

“No,” she said, “I’m just working my way out of a job.”

She wanted us to enjoy the visit and not work. We often stayed at the kitchen table to talk while she listened. I think she liked that. She spoke with a smile in her voice and a twinkle in her eye. Yet you also knew there was no point arguing with her. She was a small lady who had a big presence in her home. Her husband, John, looked twice her size when they stood together, yet in her home it was obvious that she was the queen of the house.

Rae had the gift of hospitality. One of the most restful vacations we ever took was a trip to Rae’s house when the children were small. Rae watched the children while John took Joyce and me fishing. Rae taught the children that chores can be fun. She taught them hospitality and the meaning of kindness.

Hebrew 13:2 says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (ESV)

Rae is in heaven now and I am sure she is still entertaining angels. I can hear her now whenever I get close to finishing a project, (and if you are helping me you might just hear me say), “I’m just working my way out of a job.” Let’s all celebrate the gift of hospitality with an act of kindness today.
Bro. Robin

Almost Perfect

The other night I made dessert for my grandsons Nick, Ben, and Xander. Two of them, Ben and Xander, wanted root beer floats and one, Nick, wanted a purple cow, an ice cream float made with grape juice. I was running out of vanilla ice cream so I carefully divided what I had in juice glasses. I filled Nick’s glass with grape juice and the others with root beer and sat at the TV while they enjoyed their floats. I was concerned about the shortage of ice cream. So, when they were done I asked Nick how he liked his purple cow.

“It was almost perfect,” Nick said, as he flopped into a chair near me. I said nothing about the ice cream as I smiled at his response.

I thought about Nick’s response and wondered what it was that made that one so good that Nick would pronounce it “almost perfect.” Was it that particular ratio of ice cream to juice? Was it a combination of things earlier that ended with just enough sweetness to make the whole affair, “almost perfect?”

I wonder about my attitude sometimes. When things are going good we can easily spot the bad things that keep it from being better. When things are going bad we find it so easy to complain. But, when was the last time I took my eye off all that, focused only on the good, and pronounced the day, “almost perfect.”

Paul said, “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.” He did not say it was all good but that it all worked together for good. Maybe there is not enough ice cream but there is more than enough juice.

Sometime when you find yourself at the end of the day focusing on the bad things that happened go get some ice cream and your favorite juice. Put them together in a glass, sit back and say to yourself, “That was almost perfect.” It may surprise you how quickly a change in focus can produce a change of attitude.
Bro. Robin

Getting Ready for Revival

There were a few tears shed this week as the old three-story education building came down. It had served its purpose well over the years. Construction began in 1946. The wood was milled locally and the frame was all made of oak. The frame was still strong but the wiring, plumbing, and numerous other problems made it necessary to remove the building. We will now be planning a new building on that site to house our education ministries to meet the challenges of a new generation.

It is fitting that we turn from tearing down the old building to Revival this coming week. Life always moves from old to new. Seasons change and we continue to grow and change with the changing world around us. As people we sometimes complain about change as if it somehow caught us off guard and we are not ready to change. As Christians we are taught that Christ came to transform us into his likeness and prepare us for the greatest change of all, eternal life.

Paul said: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18.

It is not so much change as it is transformation. It is not and end but a challenge for the future. Because we are new in Christ, and have a new relationship with God, we have the ministry from Christ to bring others to him for the same relationship.

I see people who claim to be Christians but live their lives separated from God. I see no involvement in the ministry of Christ that indicates that they are reconciled to God. They don’t get it. And we had done a poor job explaining it. We need Revival. We all need Revival.

Come to Revival and bring someone with you.
Bro. Robin