by Kimberly | May 6, 2013 | life together, Women, Worship
There are probably people we know, men and women, who are amazing at showing hospitality. There was a lady in our church growing up who was fabulous at this. She welcomed everyone in the church and was a fabulous cook as well. My mentor is incredible in this skill as well: cooking, opening her door, opening a bed or place to sleep for guests, praying over her guests, etc. I learned much of my “activity” of hospitality from them. Thankful.
Our church’s women’s ministry just had a night of learning about hospitality. I was not able to go but you can find some of the handouts from the sessions on our women’s blog. I’ve written much about hospitality, but what does it mean in a more spiritual sense? Meaning, the hospitality that God shows for us?
An illustration you might understand before I get to Tripp’s quote: Some people you welcome into your home with welcome arms. You can’t wait to go out of your way for them, sit and talk for hours, invite them into your heart and home. Others, you tolerate. You really could have them leave at any time, don’t care if they stay or go. Really, if you are honest, you wish you could probably just show them the door quickly after dinner was open. (If you are reading this with dropped jaw in disbelief that anyone could ever have such a thought toward another person – look at your own life. This is where sanctification comes in. I’m not perfect. Spirit is still working).
Well, as Tripp says in his book, Dangerous Calling, Christ doesn’t just tolerate us:
“One of the sweetest blessings of the cross of Jesus Christ is that the curtain of separation has been torn in two. No longer are the holy places open only to the high priest once a year. No, now each of God’s children has been welcomed to come with confidence into God’s presence, and not just once a year.”
“We, with all of our sin, weakness, and failures are welcome to do what should blow our minds. We are not only tolerated by God at a distance; no, we are welcomed into intimate personal communion with the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the creator, the sovereign, the Savior. We, as unholy as we are, are told to go with confidence into his holy presence.”
– Paul David Tripp, Dangerous Calling, p. 197.
Live welcomed.
by Kimberly | Apr 23, 2013 | life together, parenting, restaurants, Uncategorized
Meal time has often been considered one of the most needful times when connecting with your family. Whether you eat at home at the table, in the living room, in the car, or at a restaurant, meal time is important. You can make it either meaningful or literally a waste of time (except for filling bellies). What are some issues concerning meal times and what can we as parents do?
1. Media. Mostly I mean television – and I’ll start with home. Rarely do my husband and I eat in front of the television. I can probably count on one hand the times we’ve done that in 19 months of marriage. But, growing up we did that more times than we didn’t. It was acceptable and counted on to eat while watching a Mets game, the news, or sitcoms. Television watching at home provides a means to have no conversation and to also not think about what you are eating.
2. Social Media or Telephones. I rarely remember a meal when the phone didn’t ring in our house growing up and someone didn’t get up to answer it. It speaks of what is more important: the person on the phone or those you are eating with. There may be times when emergencies happen and you must do that – but I would say those are rare. Parents: leave your phones in another room or turn them off. Eat with your family: be all there. If your children do have phones or other handheld media devices, have them turn them off or don’t allow them to interact with them during a meal time.
3. Restaurants. Last night my husband and I went to Carino’s for dinner. We sat in the bar area and I sat facing the news channel. They were focusing on a sex crime/murder trial. I didn’t know anything about it but caught myself glancing up every now and then. By the end of the meal I had mentioned it to Eric just as a way of soundbite. It didn’t do anything to fuel our conversation, but sometimes it does. If you are out with small children: go to a place without a tv or sit in a place where they can’t see it. You usually have no control what is going to be shown and therefore can’t be on guard against what your children (or you) might see. I often am saddened by couples or families that sit in almost silence at restaurants. They rarely talk with each other and are instead engrossed in their phones or just staring at their meals.
4. Use meal times strategically. You can teach young children responsibility and what is important. You can make meal times a priority for your family and a chance to have great conversation about their day and your day and what you read in the Word that day or use some books to fuel conversation. Nancy Guthrie has a book on dinner table devotions that would be an excellent choice. Eric and I use a grouping of memory verses to read and pray through before the meal.
Whatever you do, don’t let meal times be stolen away by society. Use them for your family’s strength and God’s glory.
by Kimberly | Jan 30, 2013 | life together, mothering, photo shoot
Sisters. Sisters. There were never such devoted sisters.
S and A and their mom Jennifer are such sweet dear people. Jennifer and I go way back (to her middle school days) and I love the fact that me and my son get to be a part of their lives. For this session we were in Palm Coast, FL at Princess Place Preserves – never been there, want to go back. It is such an old Florida place – trees, moss, water, not a bazillion tourists around! Then we trekked back to St. Augustine and had lunch at her parent’s place and played on the beach with the seagulls!
Such sweet time!
Such a lovely place for an outing – Princess Place Preserve in Palm Coast, FL
Love those lips and that pout!
She had fun doodling in the sand
sweet back seat hugs
I wanna go to the beach mommy!
Thoise eyes!
What is all this white stuff?
Love that belly laugh!
So sweet little girl!
This is the “Mommy it is bright, I don’t want to look” face!
Such sisterly love!
Reading already! She’s brilliant!
Chasing seagulls
