Tag Archives: hospitality

Hospitality – Honor – Home – How Do you Rate?

dronesofheaven

empty chairsIt is nearly Thanksgiving…Usually one of the first shots at “family”. (Sometimes in more ways than one!) I want to be clear, as I “unpack” something. My childhood table did not always happen well. We had drunkenness, fights and even blood…So hear my heart. Jesus can “grow” you up.

Hospitality

I love people. It doesn’t matter whether they are friends, family or foes. I really do. (I drive my wife crazy sometimes. I am sure she can tell you how many hundreds have set at our table, slept in our beds, on our couches and more over 20 years. This year will be no different. And it probably is one of the major reasons I bemoan the loss of our home through no fault of ours. NO ROOM!) Continue reading Hospitality – Honor – Home – How Do you Rate?

The Front Porch Is Just The Beginning

A Snippet Of Truth
A Snippet Of Truth

For those in New England there is nothing cooler that sitting on a front porch (Not a deck, but a covered porch.) watching the seasons change or enjoying a summer thunderstorm. The front porch meant exactly that. It was the place where you sat and had family times. It was the place of cool summer drinks and times with friends. Many of the front porches I have had over the years, not only kept the weather off, but provided a respite from the heat of the home in summer. A place to watch the river across the street meander by. New England porches usually were close enough to the road in front to wave to strolling neighbors. Often a neighbor would climb the stairs and sit down with you.

I love front porches. I love the sense of community. The fun times. Continue reading The Front Porch Is Just The Beginning

July 14th 2013 A Little Looking Ahead

An update for you!
An update for you!

My grandchildren being here for VBS took a lot of time, but was well worth it. The last few days the Lord has opened up a garden of beauty and creativity for me to investigate.  I continue to move towards the end of the book on interrupted process.  I add every few days core teachings for the prophetic manual and even snuck in a children’s story, my grandchildren thought was hilarious. I intend for this week to tie some things together, at the same time I have to end my relationship with our Springfield home and get things out of there.

This week 2 things have been resting on my heart. Hospitality-what does it truly look like? (Hint-it is not about you…) and Immaturity-what is our next step. (And it is not about you!) Immaturity is not a fruit of the Holy Spirit.

We do not need a generation of “his majesty the baby.” We need men who are emotionally mature. Women who operate maturely and can identify men who don’t!

Immature people are often self-centered, egotistic and selfish adults. They may have little regard for others and be preoccupied with their own thoughts and feelings (including “my ministry”). They may demand constant attention, sympathy or compliments. They may avoid participation if they can’t be special. They may obsess about impressing you.

I have a lot to put to words over time on this subject. As my friend Mark pointed out, you cannot just say “grow up” but you must see the process as well as model what it looks like. I will say one of the hardest things I ever see is the man or woman who out of immaturity struggles to be close to those who are mature and have the capability and wisdom to help them to grow. From a life coaching site-Emotionally the struggle is they often cannot handle frustration or criticism; jealous and moody. May have temper tantrums and fear any change. Relationally a person avoids and denies money and relationship problems which require integrity. Seeks people to accuse and blame.

Frankly there were three or four occurrences this week that just added fuel to my thinking on this subject. As a dad, I have advised my children on “what to look for, “and modeled this thinking for them. For instance, I found this on a national dating site.

1) He’s Decisive
2) He Takes Responsibility
3) He Has a Higher Purpose
4) He Has Close Relationships
5) He’s Capable of Expressing Himself

A few weeks ago while working on my book, I found this. (Great refrigerator reminder!)

1. My sons and daughters, choose your friends wisely in the days of your youth, for they shall determine the way you go. 2. A good friend rejoices with you in the praise of God but a bad friend fills your heart with violent thoughts. 3. A bad friend entices you to do evil but a good friend prevents you from sinning against the Lord. 4. A good friend praises you when you speak words of wisdom but a bad friend laughs when you cuss and blaspheme. 5. Good friends will rejoice with you in the days of joy that lie ahead but all the wicked together will despair in the futility of their lives. 6. The Lord knows all your thoughts, He hears every word that comes out of your mouth, and He observes all your deeds. 7. Seek, then, friends who meditate on God’s word, friends who delight in edification, and friends who are zealous in good works. For you are not unaware of the reward awaiting the righteous and you not ignorant of the punishment prepared for the wicked” (Quotes & Things David Collins-a paraphrase of Proverbs 24)

Emotional charges, childish outburst and more all stem from not understanding God’s goodness in your life.

It is as much upon the lives of the mature to dig in as it is in the life of the immature to reach out.

Single interesting tidbit-Boredom In teenagers is considered to be an area of difficulty or a “warning sign” of immaturity.

Those are some of the topics and thinking we will hit on the next few weeks. Look forward to hearing from you.