Made to Crave—week 1

Last week I visited the blog Caravan Sonnet and saw that she and a couple of other bloggers were starting an online study using Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst. I have owned this book for a while and I have been struggling with my weight for even longer. I have started and stopped reading this book more than once. I am praying that by following their blogs and with your support I can finally stick with my journey to lose the weight.

Reading the Intro to Made to Crave, three things really stood out to me.

1.     “In my case, the number itself was not the issue. The issue was how I felt mentally, spiritually, and physically.”—Lysa Terkeurst

This stands out to me because I can relate to it so easily. For me the number on the scale is not the reason I want to lose the weight. It is just an indicator. How I have been feeling lately is the real reason why I need to lose the weight.

2.    The story that she used from Matthew 19 about the rich man.

For the past year, this story has come up in several different ways and in relation to several different areas of my life. Each area it has come up in it has been in relation to something that I have been making an idol of and putting ahead of my relationship with Christ.

3.    “God made us capable of craving so we’d have an unquenchable desire for more of Him, and Him alone.”

This statement struck me because it was like a sudden awakening. I have noticed in the past that when a person is addicted to something, it is because there is a hole, a craving for something…something more, something that gives them satisfaction and a feeling of completion…but that is a hole or a craving that can only be satisfied with God. When I read that statement, it was like blinders had been lifted…I had never applied that idea to my own life and I can see how I have substituted my craving for God with things from this world. None of which have brought me satisfaction.

So I am excited about this journey because I believe that the Lord is going to bring great things through this.

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My Stats:

Weight today: 219 lbs

BMI: 42

Waist: 43 in

Hips: 53 in

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Chosen

One of the things that I have always struggled with is my self-esteem. As a child I was usually the last one chosen for teams at school. In junior high, I was the one who sat over at a desk alone when everyone else was sitting in groups. In high school, I was the loner who sat alone at lunch and was everybody’s friend yet nobody’s friend. I was the one everyone considered sweet and helpful, but not the one who was invited to parties or who my peers wanted to hang out with on the weekends. As an adult, I am still pretty much a loner.

A bit shy and awkward around others I have trouble knowing what to say when I am talking to people so I usually end up talking about myself…which isn’t a good way to build friendships.

I have never felt like I was part of the group or like I fit in anywhere…even at church.

I have never felt like I was special or like I was chosen…but the good news is that those thoughts and feelings were lies and…

I AM CHOSEN!

I am chosen by the One who sees beyond my awkwardness.

I am chosen by the One who died for my sins.

I am chosen by the King of kings.

I am chosen to be His child.

I am chosen to do His works.

I am chosen to do good things.

I may never be chosen by other people, but I was chosen by God.

And you are too! You are chosen by God to be His child and to do His works. You are chosen to do good things. You are His, and He CHOSE you.

Isn’t it great to know that even when we don’t feel loved and chosen by others that we are loved and chosen by Christ?

But you are a chosen woman, a royal priestess, a holy daughter, God’s own special possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

--1 Peter 2:9 (paraphrased)

“All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold.

In many-colored robes she is led to the king…”

--Psalms 45:13-14a

Fighting with the Lord

Photo courtesy of  HeartLight

Have you ever had one of those “God moments” where you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are called by the Lord to do something? Did you obey that calling or did you fight with the Lord?

I realized recently that for the past 1 ½ years I have been fighting with the Lord about my calling in life. I had one of those “God moments” and knew what I should do, but as time went by I started letting doubt and fear creep in and I started fighting what I was called to do.

Every time I heard God’s voice in this matter, I would say, “But…

·         I’m not qualified.

·         I don’t want to go back to school.

·         I’m tired of this.

·         How can I help others when I can’t even help myself?

·         The list of excuses could go on and on.

Or I would say…

·         Lord, I would much rather do _____.

·         Hey, Lord, wouldn’t this be a much better option for me?

·         Oh! I think it would so much more exciting to _______.

And the truth of the matter is

1.     I am not qualified, but He is.

·         “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” –John 15:4-5

·         “For with God nothing will be impossible.” –Luke 1:37

·         “I can of myself do nothing,”—John 5:30a

2.    If I love Him, I have to be obedient to the calling that He has placed on my life.

·         “If you love Me, keep my commandmants.” –John 14:15

·         “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”—John 15:10

3.    Even when I am tired, weak and worn, He will give me the strength to keep on moving forward.

·         “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”—Philippians 4:13

·         “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles; They shall run and not be weary; They shall walk and not faint.”—Isaiah 40:28-31

4.   I’m not supposed to help myself…My healing comes from Him. There is nothing I can do to make it better.

·         “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted…”—Isaiah 61:1a

5.    Yes, there might be things that look better on paper…but NOTHING is better for my life than the plans that He has for me.

·         “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in my name He may give you.”—John 15:16

·         “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”—Jeremiah 29:11

·         “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”—Ephesians 2:10

So do I keep fighting or do I surrender to the call that He has placed on my life?

Worry: The Thief of Trust

About a year and a half ago, I was having a lot of health issues. I wasn’t sleeping at night. I wasn’t eating. I lost about 20 lbs in 6 weeks. I was working 50+ hours a week at my place of employment. I was working an additional 30+ hours a week at home to finish what I couldn’t get done at work. When I was at work I was busy from the moment that I walked in the door until the moment I left. The only down time I had was when I was driving to and from work. I was stressed out and worried.

I was worried about my job, and I was worried about my health. I was so stressed out and worried that I went to the doctor afraid that I had something horrible and was dying. All of the tests came back clear.

About 6 months later, I started taking a series of training workshops on working with children who have been traumatized.  In the first session, they described the symptoms of compassion fatigue (also called secondary post traumatic stress disorder). I had every single one of the symptoms that they listed. 

The reason why I have compassion fatigue?

I was so busy trying to control everything that I wasn’t trusting anybody, and most importantly I wasn’t trusting God.

Worry and stress comes when we try to control everything and trying to do everything for ourselves.

So how do you stop worrying? How do you learn to trust?

1)     Pray: Ask the Lord to help you relax and let go. Ask Him to teach you to trust. Next time something happens that you can’t control pray. Give to Him right then. Don’t hang on to it.

2)   Opposite action: I learned about this in the workshops. In opposite action, you do the opposite of what your initial reaction is. For example, if you are like me and you are a people pleaser, when someone asks you to do something you usually say yes even if you don’t have time or don’t want to do it. Well, next time, say “no”.

3)   Let go. I know that it is easier said than done, but you are not God. You can’t control everybody and everything.

4)   Take time for you.  Spend time each day doing something you love. Exercise, Eat right. Read a book. Take care of YOU because if you don’t you won’t be able to take care of others.

5)   Turn your focus to Christ. This last one is probably the most important. If you are focused on Christ, then you know that He can handle it and that He will give you what you need.

“Therefore I tell you, don not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on, is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”

~Matthew 6:25

God Bless You

Misty

How to Have an Abundant Life

I have always thought that the way to have an abundant life was to live the American dream…

To get married, have a couple of children, a good career, and a nice house…

But lately I have decided that I was wrong.

I have been thinking, “What if having an abundant life isn’t about having more but about giving more?”

This morning I was reading Ann Voskamp’s blog (http://www.aholyexperience.com) that thought came back to me this morning…especially when I read:

“Be concerned for the poor.”

And…

“We’re all hungry for uncomfortable because we are hungry for God—and He is outside our comfort zone.”

What if having an abundant life isn’t about having more but about giving more?

What if having an abundant life isn’t about having more for ourselves but about helping others to have more?

What if having an abundant life is about being so grateful for what we have that we long to give it away to others?

What if having an abundant life is about being hungry for God?

What if having an abundant life is about getting out of comfort zones and serving others?

To truly have an abundant life we have to give more, love more, and serve more.

Greed, The Thief of Generosity

Last year I was dating someone, and one day when we were at my house he said something about disliking the clutter in my living room.

The funny thing to me was when he talked about clutter he wasn’t talking about the pile of papers sitting on my desk, he was talking about my collection of horse figurines and the pictures on my walls.

But he really got my attention when he told me that he thought I was too attached to my decorative things and that he didn’t think that I wouldn’t be able to sell them.

What he said has really stayed with me. God has been using it powerfully in my life. It has made me start noticing things about myself that I didn’t really like. I started noticing that I have can be materialistic and greedy, that there are times in my life when I think I need more…more yarn, more books, more clothes, more shoes, more bags…more, more, more.

As this year has passed, God has been opening my eyes to other things such as when I want more I give less. The more I have, the more I think I have to have, the less I give to others.

I have started looking around now, and I have begun to notice those who have less than I do. As I notice them, I start looking for what I can do to help them. What can I give up?

In the past year, I have sold a lot of my things…I’m not perfect. I still have a ways to go on cleaning out and paring down to the necessities, but I am getting better.  I also still have moments where I think I need something that I really don’t, but I am learning to ask myself why I want something. I am also learning to look at my things with new eyes…

I have asking myself how I would feel if lost everything…

or if a friend saw something and really liked it would I be able to offer it to them.

Having more is necessarily wrong, but as Christians, we are sojourners. This world is not our home, and when our attachment to things becomes greater than our attachment to God or to others, we need to check ourselves. That is what the past year has taught me.

Fear: The Thief of Faith

I wanted to do it. I wanted to go out on the dance floor and dance with my friends. I was asked by several men to dance, but something was holding me back. I just stood back in the corner and was dancing by myself while my friend and her date were out on the dance floor. I just couldn’t do it. Every time I was asked to dance I froze. I got so scared and all the “what ifs” flooded my mind…You know…

“What if he is a serial killer?”

“What if he is a rapist?”

Or heaven forbid…”What if he asks for my phone number?” ;-)

Now I know that this seems ridiculous. I wasn’t by myself. I had a friend with me, and I knew that the likelihood of those first two “what ifs” was slim.  But I just couldn’t relax enough to go join my friends.

I let fear steal my faith…the faith that God would take care of me and protect me.

Fear does that…fear steals your faith.

Oh, it can be a small thing such as dancing with a stranger, or it can be a big thing like taking that leap and starting your own business.

It doesn’t matter the size of the fear. It takes away your faith.

I recently told someone that I think my besetting sin is fear…and he looked at me funny. I don’t know if he was shocked that I admitted it or shocked that I called fear a sin. But it is.

God tells us 365 times in the Bible to not be afraid.  That is one reminder for every day of the year.

If it is something that He has asked you do then He is going to provide a way for it to happen and He is going to protect you too.

We are blessed though. We have a God who loves us and provides for us. He forgives us. All we have to do is ask. 

Don’t live your life in fear. Have faith. Trust God and live boldly for Him.

Learning to Dance in the Rain

It’s raining. It’s pouring…

I look outside the window, and the weather seems to match my mood. It is gray and dreary. Rain is pouring down. Lightning is flashing. Thunder is booming. And I just stand there wishing that the sun would come out.

How often do I do that? How often do I wish away what is right in front of me?

I look at the past and see nothing but the heartbreaks and struggles or look at the future and wish and hope instead of living in the present.

Living in the present…being present in the now…

So as I am looking out at the rain pouring down, I think about how as a child I used to love to dance in the rain. I started wondering when I forgot the good things that the rain brings with it…the flowers, the crops in the field, the vegetables and herbs growing in the garden…

As I think about these things, I start feeling grateful…

My mood brightens…

I smile…

And then I go outside and I dance in the rain.

It is all a matter of perspective. Are you looking at the negative or the positive? Do you feel grateful for what you have, for those little gifts that God has given? Or are you taking it all for granted?

The key to learning to dance in the rain is learning to be grateful for what you have in the now.

Procrastination: The Thief of Time

Well, I did it again. I had three months to finish the class.  I started well and intended to have it done within the first month, but it is the week before I have to have it finished and I am barely half way through the class. The ladies’ retreat at church is this weekend, and I’m rushing to get the class finished so that I can enjoy the retreat.

I kept putting it off. Someone would ask me to do something and instead of saying “no” like I knew I should I would say “yes” thinking that I had plenty of time to get the class over with. Or I would be sick and looking at the computer screen for a long period of time gives me headaches. Or… Or… Or…

There was always some excuse that I used to procrastinate. I was simply putting off what I knew I had to do and it was stealing time from me…

Time that I could have used to get done what I needed to do…

 Time that I could have used to do something for the Lord…

Time that I could have used to live my life…

One of my biggest downfalls lately is time management…I am constantly putting off until tomorrow what I should be doing today. Then I spend precious time anxious and cranky as I rush to catch up.

But…we are not promised tomorrow… and what I do today is important. It is my life, and I need to live it. I can’t keep putting it off until tomorrow because as we have been shown a lot lately there might not be a tomorrow.

So what can I do? How can I change? How do I take control of my life and manage my time so that I don’t waste another minute?

Here is my plan for overcoming the procrastination disorder that fills my life:

1)     Focus on my relationship with Christ

Focusing on my relationship with Christ is important to my time management skills because I have found that when I am focused on Him then everything else seems to just fall into place. I know that it sounds simplistic, but it is true. When I make Him my priority, I find that I am more peaceful and that I handle things better. I know what He is bringing into my life and what I need to say “no” to. 

2)    The Pomodoro Technique for Productivity (http://www.pomodorotechnique.com/)

Ann Voskamp (http://www.aholyexperience.com) has blogged about the Pomodoro Technique, and it seems so simple to use. You divide your day into 25 minute segments with a 5 minute break between each segment and a 15 to 30 minute break every 4 segments.  You create a list at the beginning of the day of things you want to accomplish that day. Start with the activities that have highest priority and work your way down the list. Anyway visit their website for more details. 

3)    Use Evernote

Okay. In order to keep track of my activities for the Pomodoro Technique, I have started using Evernote. What I love about Evernote is that I have the program on my computer and an app for my phone. I can sync them so whatever I type up on my computer will end up on my phone and whatever I type on my phone will end up on my computer.  I did find one drawback. If I do a complete overhaul of my notes on either it shows up on the other as a conflict instead an edit.

Do you all struggle with managing your time and procrastinating? If not, what is your favorite tip for managing your time?

God Bless You,

Misty

Replacing Thoughts of Comparison

There was a time a few years ago when I was teaching infants that I was struggling and I was comparing myself with the other teacher in the classroom. In order to replace the negative thoughts that I was having…

“I can’t do this.”

“I told my boss I wasn’t cut for teaching infants full time.”

…I started saying things (out loud) like “I’m just as good as so-and-so” or “I’m better at this than…” Well, my conversations with myself  were overheard by one of my co-workers and these comments were relayed back to my other co-workers. Even though my comments were positive about me I was still comparing myself to others…only I was trying to convince myself that I was just as good if not better than they were.

I learned the lesson the hard way that there are right and wrong ways to replace thoughts of negativity and comparison. I came across to my co-workers as arrogant and superior when the truth was that I was feeling inferior.

At one time or another most of us (if not all of us) struggle with negative thinking and comparing ourselves to other people,  and in my last blog, I shared with you what can be done to change the tendency to be negative and compare ourselves to others. (The 4 R’s: Recognize, Repent, Replace, & Repair) The one of these steps that I find the hardest is replacing the thoughts of comparison.

How do you take the thoughts that seem to just randomly pop into your head and block them or stop them altogether?  Well, here is what I have been doing when I need to replace negative thoughts.

1)   Pray

Our first line of defense against negative thinking should always be prayer. Ask the Lord to remove these thoughts and pray out loud. The Lord will remove these thoughts when asked. I was sitting at home one evening, and I felt like I was under attack. I had negative thoughts about myself just flooding my mind and I was struggling to find any reason to move forward. I had opened my Bible and was trying to read, but nothing was getting through the thoughts. I started praying out loud, pleading with God to take away these thoughts, when I just felt flooded with His peace and I suddenly couldn’t remember what I was thinking about, at least not the exact thoughts that were attacking me. I recommend praying out loud because Satan and his minions do not read thoughts.

2)   Read Scripture

Spending time everyday reading the Bible is important, but when you feel down on yourself or are comparing yourself to others you need to saturate yourself in the Word. Look up verses that remind you that how much God loves you. One of my favorite books in the Bible to read is the Song of Solomon. (Yes, I know how racy it is.) To me, it is a reminder of how passionately we are loved by God. Some of my other favorite places to read when I find myself comparing to others are Psalms 139; Proverbs 31; Psalm 103; and Matthew 5:13-16. d by God. Some of my other favorite places to read when I find myself com

3)   Memorize Scripture

What if you are out shopping or at work and you don’t have your Bible with you? (Which if you are like me, isn’t very likely because I have a copy on my phone.) Then start quoting Scripture out loud or in your head. Memorization is one way that you can make sure that you always have your Bible with you. Here are some great articles I have found on Scripture memorization:

http://blog.lifeway.com/womenallaccess/2013/04/02/6-ways-to-memorize-scripture/#.UZ0JbbXU-3E

http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/revive-our-hearts/how-busy-people-can-memorize-scripture-1/

https://www.reviveourhearts.com/articles/scripture-memorization-help-to-get-you/

https://www.reviveourhearts.com/articles/scripture-memory-queen-of-bad-no-more/

4)   My Love Letters from Jesus Journal

As I have shared in a previous blog, I keep a journal where I write down “Love Letters” from Jesus. They are usually Bible verses that I paraphrase and make them personal. For more information on how to make one of your own, click here. 

Comparison: The Thief of Joy

Okay! I admit it!

I have been suffering from envy! In the past two months, two of my cousins have gotten married (for the second time). One of them, well, his new wife is going to have a baby. A baby! Do you know how long I have longed for a baby?

Marriage… A baby… Both of these are things that I have desired for as long as I can remember.

Now the comparison starts…Well, they both have managed to find someone to marry, not once, but twice. I’m 37 years old, and I can’t find anyone who wants to spend their life with me. What’s wrong with me? Why am I still alone?  Well, why would anyone want to marry me?

Then all the imperfections… all of my faults start flooding my mind…

·         I have terrible allergies and it seems like I’m always sick.

·         I’m a terrible housekeeper.

·         I’m impatient.

·         I’m overweight.

·         And so on and so on.

The list continues and before you know it…all I can see are the imperfections…all I can see is what is wrong with me and my life.

There is no joy and the light is overshadowed…all because I started comparing my worst to someone else’s best.

I don’t want to live like this…so what can I do to change it? What can I do to get the joy back?

1)      Recognize

The first thing that I need to do is RECOGNIZE that what I am doing is a sin. It goes back to the Ten Commandments… “Do not covet.” (Deuteronomy 6: ) When I am envious of someone else, it is because I am looking at what they have and saying that I want that for myself and that is coveting. Pure and simple! It is wrong, and I need to recognize it for what it is…SIN!

2)      Repent

The second thing that I need to do is REPENT. Repentance simply means agreeing with God that what I am doing is wrong, asking for His forgiveness (because when I am coveting I am saying to God that what He has given me is not enough), and then turning away from the sin.

3)      Replace

The third step in all of this is REPLACING the negative thoughts or behavior with something else...God’s Word. By reading through His promises and drawing closer to God, you can replace those feelings of envy with joy. By making Him the focus instead of what you don’t have, you stop the comparisons. By reading what He has to say about you and who you are in Him, you realize that your life may not be perfect, but you are where He wants you to be.

4)      Repair

The fourth thing that you can do is REPAIR any of the damage that you might have done to the relationship that you have with the person (or people) who you feel envious of. In my case, well, I haven’t actually seen or talked to either of my cousins in a few months (long before I knew that either of them were getting married) so there is really very little damage to repair, but I might consider sending them a gift or a card to let them know that I am happy for them.

I am going to be honest. This isn’t an easy process…First off, no one wants to recognize that they are in the wrong. Secondly, it is easy to tell someone you are sorry, but it is more difficult to make it right and in many cases you can’t make it right. The relationship will never be the same. At times, the relationships could become stronger, but at other times the relationships could be severely damaged by what was done. Thirdly, it takes work and self-discipline to replace that wrong behavior or thoughts. It is not something that is just going to disappear overnight. It takes time and commitment and staying close to the Lord.

Pray for me on this journey…As I will be praying for you on your journey.

God Bless You!

The Thieves of Life

Reading some of the books that I have been reading in the last few weeks have got me to thinking about living an abundant life and what stops us from living an abundant life. I have identified a few "thieves" of life in my own life that stop me from enjoying the life that I have and I want to share them with you. Maybe you will recognize some of these in your own life. I will also be expanding on them in the coming weeks.

Comparison: The thief of joy
Procrastination: The thief of time
Greed: The thief of generosity
Fear: The thief of faith
Worry: The thief of trust
Pride: The thief of humility
Legalism: The thief of grace

Do you long for an abundant life? The life that God has planned for you? Do you feel like something is holding you back? Maybe you are like me and know that something is holding you back and wonder what it is that is keeping you from living your God-sized dream.

WEEK OF BOOKS: Learning to Love

Due to a lot of changes in my life recently I have gotten behind on my book reviews so for the next week...possibly two...I will be catching up on my reading.

What does love look like?

That is the question that Heidi and Rolland Baker are attempting to answer in their book Learning to Love. They take you on a journey through all of the amazing things that God has done to show them His love for them and for the people that they serve and love in Mozambique. Heidi and Rolland are in Mozambique to share Christ with the people, and their love for Him and the people shine through this book. They also strive in this book to show us how Christ can move in our own lives in miraculous ways if we are willing to let Him.

I found this book to be an interesting read. As someone who has always had an interest in the field of missions, I enjoyed reading the stories of the Baker’s experiences in Mozambique. To me, they were the best part of the book. They also encompassed most of the book with a few chapters being dedicated only to those stories.

While the stories were wonderful, I found that the book didn’t really show me or teach me more about how I can love others here where I am at. It did cause me to reflect more on my relationships with Christ and others, but it lacked something…I guess what I am getting at is that for me while I loved the stories, I had trouble applying it to my life. 

Thank you to Chosen, a division of Baker Publishing Group for allowing me a chance to read and review this book.

God Bless You!

Misty

5 Tips for Great Hospitality

1)   Make sure your heart is prepared.

·         Spend time praying for your guests.

·         Remember: Hospitality is about meeting the needs of your guests, not your own.

·         Don’t make hospitality a duty. Remember: It is about opening your heart. Do it out of love.

·         Schedule in some time before your guests arrive to just relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

2)   Make sure your home is prepared.

•     Declutter
• Always have a few toys, coloring books, and children’s movies on hand for young guests.
•  Light candles! Just check first to make sure that nobody has any sensitivities to scents. I usually stick to using scents like vanilla, cinnamon, or something fruity.
• Keep a guest book for visitors to sign.
• Play some soft relaxing music.

3)   Have fun!

•             Relax! Be yourself!
•       Take the time to sit and talk with your guests. Don’t be rushing back and forth between them and the kitchen.
•       Listen to your guests.

4)   Plan ahead!

•        Decide what you will be serving before the day of the get together.
•        Go shopping and purchase the food and decorations that you need 1 or 2 days before the event.
•        Check with your guests to see if they have any special needs such as food allergies, a special diet,  or any sensitivities to flowers and scents. As someone who has food allergies, I know that it can be very frustrating when you go to someone’s and aren’t able to eat what they are serving or have an asthma attack because the candles upset your allergies.
•       Serve tried-and-true recipes!

5)   Be inventive!

•        Being hospitable doesn’t necessarily mean inviting people over for dinner, try to be creative in the ways you share God’s love with other people.
•        If you are like me and don’t feel comfortable inviting people to where you live, invite them to join you for lunch or dinner at a favorite restaurant.
•       Plan a picnic and have your friends meet you at the park on a nice day.
•       Sit down and write a card to send to a friend when they come to mind, or send them a text to let them know you are praying for them.
•       Host  a block party! Invite your neighbors, pull the grill and tables out onto the front lawn.
•       Have a progressive dinner! During a progressive dinner, guests move from one house to another for different courses. For example, drinks and appetizers at your house, soup at someone else’s house, salad, entrée, dessert, etc. 

A Heart of Hospitality

Hospitality is a topic that it is hard for me to write about. I am an introvert, and because of it I would rather spend much of my time by myself. But after this past week and reading Willing to Walk on Water by Caroline Barnett, I am beginning to realize that I need to look for more ways to serve others.

Of course, at the same time, I am struggling with the fact that I already feel like my life revolves around serving others. In other words, my heart is not where it needs to be when it comes to hospitality.

I am learning that hospitality isn’t just about entertaining others with dinner parties and barbecues. The Lord is working on my heart to show me that true hospitality is about opening my heart and my life as well as my home to other people and finding ways to serve others.

As I am learning more and more about modeling my life after Christ’s life, then I also have to look to Him in the area of hospitality and Christ was the ultimate host. Time after time in the Gospels we see Christ opening His heart and His life to other people. Even though He didn’t have a home of His own, we see Him inviting people to visit Him where He was staying. He fed thousands of people multiple times.  He offered healing where needed and took time to talk with people. He met the needs of the people.

As Christians we are called to receive others as we are received by Christ.

We are called to have a heart of hospitality.

Some Scriptures on hospitality:

“Even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister to, and to give his life for many.”--Matthew 20:28

“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not please ourselves. Let everyone of us please his neighbor for his good to edification.”--Romans 15:1-3

 “For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save.”--Luke 19:10

“The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall also be watered.”--Proverbs 11:25

“A new commandment that I give you:  that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men shall know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.”--John 13:34 & 35

“Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” --1 Peter 4:9 (This is the verse that really convicts me because many times I serve others, but I do it with the wrong attitude and so I 

do it grudgingly.)

Dear Abba,

I have failed you in the area of hospitality in my life. I struggle with opening my heart and my life to others. I fear being rejected and have many other fears in this area, but I know that You have called me to have a heart of hospitality. I ask that You show me how I serve others and how to open my heart and my life to them.

Amen