'Hospitality' Tagged Posts

'Hospitality' Tagged Posts

Daily Devotions

Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” vs. 40 Matthew 10:40-42 When Jesus sent out his disciples to expand his ministry to the towns and villages of Galilee, he warned them that there would be suffering involved. But he also let them know that there would be blessings for those who welcomed them. Through them, people would experience the Divine Presence; through them they would be welcoming Jesus. Those encounters still take…

Daily Devotions

But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’” vs. 40 Luke 10:38-40 Martha had been well-schooled in her culture’s practice of hospitality. Like Abraham centuries before, she knew what to do when Jesus and his disciples dropped by for a visit. She prepared bread, whipped up a vegetable salad,…

Daily Devotions

For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.” vs. 41 Mark 9:38-41 The disciples were thrilled to be a part of the Jesus brigade but they didn’t have a clue about what that involved. They were applying the world’s standards to the Peaceable Kingdom and believed that they had become insiders by following Jesus. It was a pretty small group,…

2020_Spiritual Practices for Times of Crisis

Spiritual Practices for Times of Crisis Grief, pain, isolation, fear, worry, and loss can upend our normal spiritual rhythms of life and our faith life as a whole. As Christians, what do we do? Do we grit our teeth, fake it ‘til we make it, and carry on regardless? Aren’t we supposed to be “thankful in all circumstances” and happy all the time? Should we just turn away from God until we feel better? These are all valid questions and…

The Spiritual Practice of Fasting-Part 2

Fasting is just about giving up chocolate or alcohol for Lent, isn’t it?” Actually, there are other ways of fasting, and, in the Christian tradition, other times of the Church year apart from Lent, when we are encouraged to fast. We discussed in “Fasting – Part 1,” that fasting from meals can help us make room for God, help us focus on our spiritual needs rather than our physical needs, and help us prepare for Church seasons such as Easter…

The Spiritual Practice of Fasting-Part 1

What do Mardi Gras, Friday Fish Fry, and locusts and wild honey have in common? That’s right – fasting. Mardi Gras (literally Fat Tuesday) is now a carnival celebration, which culminates on the day before Ash Wednesday. In Great Britain, Mardi Gras is referred to as Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day. The idea of Fat Tuesday originated in medieval times when monks would use up their rich food and fats, often in the form of pancakes, the night before Ash…

The Spiritual Practice of Hospitality

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Have you ever been offered a place to stay at a time of need in your life? Has a kind word or thoughtful presence helped you…

Daily Devotions: August 29, 2019

August 29, 2019 For full passage click: Hebrews 13:1-7  … “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” vss. 1-2 It’s a given that followers of Jesus are called to love one another. According to John, it was his final commandment. Early believers learned that this mutual love was one of the most impressive attributes of their faith communities, and it’s been that way ever…

Daily Devotions: July 16, 2019

July 16, 2019  For full passage click:  Genesis 18:6-10a … “Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.” vs. 8 The stories of Abraham that were retained in Israel’s family history, were passed through many generations before they began to be written down and preserved. Our faith ancestors were particularly interested in showing the special connection that Abraham had with…