"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;in honour preferring one another;"Romans 12:10 One of the worst things, I believe, that happens in groups, committees, clubs, churches, and organizations, is when one person gets left out, isn’t chosen, or doesn’t get invited to participate when they show interest in joining or being a part of the group. It’s hurtful to be shunned by ...
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Setting a Place at the Table for Mercy
“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful."Luke 6:36 Mercy me! Has every ounce of common, every day courtesy, decency and mercy gone out with the wind? Could the growing lack of empathy and sympathy for others in our society be the cause of so many discouraged, disheartened or heartless responses to today’s realities? Can we all see the exasperating struggles that hatred, ...
Continue ReadingSpending Purposeful Time with God and Each Other
"Two are better than one;because they have a good reward for their labour.For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow:but woe to him that is alone when he falleth;for he hath not another to help him up."Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 We all need each other at different times and for different reasons. God didn’t create us to walk and work alone, carry our burdens and sorrows alone, or live life ...
Continue ReadingSpending Time Contemplating the Pleasure of Hospitality from Others
Friendliness still exists! Shocking, I know. But, it was so nice to see that there are still kind, friendly, and hospitable people roaming this world. They are everywhere, in communities, in businesses, in shops, at car shows, in botanical gardens, in stores, in restaurants, and on the streets of large and small cities. During our recent travels to GA, TN, NJ, NY, and AL, I found that kindness and ...
Continue ReadingSpending Time Serving Without Grudging
Examining God’s Word "Use hospitality one to another without grudging."1 Peter 4:9 Evaluating Our Garden Let’s face it. We aren’t always in the mood to be hospitable. While we may put on a happy face to attend an event, or go all out on details to prepare for our guests and try to make them feel welcome, we can still do it grudgingly. When relationships are conflicted and contentious, we ...
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