Saturday, June 13, 2015

Delightful Welcome

Out of the mouth of babes!!!
 A few days ago I went to visit my cousin for the afternoon. I knocked on the door, she invited me inside, and I stepped into the entry area. I had stood there for barely a few seconds when around the corner sprang the cutest, most joyful little girl; it was my cousin’s two year old daughter. She had her sweater dress on, a bow in her blonde hair, and chubby bare feet. She wore the biggest and happiest smile, from ear to ear; her eyes big and bright. She bounded right up to me and as she approached, she loudly and gleefully proclaimed, “I’m so glad you came!” She then snuggled close to my leg and I grabbed her up in my arms for a sweet embrace. It was the most delightful welcome, filled with joyful sincerity. Her greeting held such warmth and invitation. My cousin and I looked at each other, surprised and tickled by her words. This precious two year has the genuine gift of hospitality. She was a “faithful (little) steward of God’s grace” (and love) toward me as I entered her home that day.  I’m tempted to begin greeting my guests this way. I can’t imagine that anyone wouldn’t enjoy such a loving reception the way I did; surprised by a delightful welcome.


1 Peter 4:9-11, Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Friday, June 12, 2015

Always (reJOYce)


Our theme at Bible study this past year was “reJOYce”. We had the theme title printed on flyers, on binders, on pages and on agendas for the morning; it was everywhere. A dear friend of mine who is originally from Australia told me that on the first day, back in September, she looked up on the big video screen and noticed the odd spelling; she wasn’t sure if that’s how we spell it in America or if we had just done a big “oops” and misspelled the main theme on everything around. It wasn’t long before she realized the misspelling was on purpose. We had wanted the JOY part to pop out with great emphasis. 


I had the privilege of writing the “Welcome Page” that described our theme and was included in every woman’s binder. Here is an excerpt from that page-

“I’ve got the JOY, JOY, JOY, JOY down in my heart… Where?.... Down in my heart to stay!!!”
There are many things that come into our lives try to drag us down and steal our joy.  Life may be far from perfect, which means we have to be deliberate about our JOY each and every day. If we choose the perspective of Jesus we will always find a reason to reJOYce!!! Despite the heart-wrenching trials that Jesus faced while here on earth His heart was full of JOY because He knew God.  And God wants us to experience that same JOY in our own lives.  As we come to know God our Father more and more we too can experience the same confident JOY; resting in the fact that God is in control. JOY is a gift from God that He is anxiously waiting for us to receive.  You see, we play a big role in whether we experience a JOY-filled life or not.  We must choose to accept the gift that God has already offered us.  God has given us His own Holy Spirit to live within us and JOY is an overflowing fruit of His Spirit.  His JOY comes alive within us as we walk hand in hand with God.  We gratefully reflect on our salvation, our redemption, our new life in Him, His strength to see us through, and His promise of eternal life with Him. As this Heavenly JOY fills our own hearts and minds we can’t help but infect the world with a contagious JOY.


    “Rejoice in the LORD always. I will say it again, Rejoice!!”

Monday, June 1, 2015

Hat Night


There are so many types of hats to choose from. Whatever your mood, there is a hat to suit it; whatever your activity, there is a hat to represent it. There are hats that we wear to sporting events as we root for our favorite team;  hats that are worn as a piece of our work uniform making everyone aware of our official role or position; party hats with a pointy top and an elastic band that fits under our chin (usually accompanied by a roll-up paper party blower). Hats can evoke feelings of respect, loyalty, belonging, frivolity, fun and celebration.
This past Christmas season I had the pleasure of being a participant in a group declared “Hat Night”. The little group was comprised of my Mom, my sister and me. We were going out for a night on the town (accompanied by my sister’s wonderful fiancé). As we were in the planning stages for the evening we decided it would be fun and celebratory to wear hats for the occasion; the celebration was as simple as we were all together. We aren’t talking baseball hats, but instead lady-like hats especially for the festive evening. My Mom and sister each wore a wide brimmed, slightly floppy hat and I wore an old-fashioned 20’s style, bubble one. After we had finally settled on the outfits to complement our hats we had a little photo session in the family room, in front of the Christmas tree (again, my sister’s fiancé was very helpful as he patiently clicked away, as we posed this way and that).
Our hats graced our heads as we entered the grande Hotel Del Coronado. We paused in the lobby for a while and enjoyed the lovely voices of the quaint Victorian carolers, with the Christmas tree glittering in the background. It momentarily transported us back to a different era. From there our hats sat atop our heads as we wandered around the lobby admiring the tree and the old décor, and as we ventured into the hotel gift store. So many delightful baubles and gifts and decorations to behold.
Next, we continued on to the hotel lounge to enjoy some of my favorite kind of music; a very talented man strummed his acoustic guitar as he sang along perfectly in tune. He did perfect renditions of many of our favorite songs. We talked and laughed; we quietly listened and took in the music; we clapped and sang along; we even shed a tear or two when he played our special requests. Through it all we proudly wore our hats. Funny enough, we had people approach us through the night and even come up to our table to comment on our hats. They would ask us what the special occasion was. We just replied that is was our “Hat Night”.  I guess not too many people have Hat Nights (except the ladies who wear purple clothes and red hats). Our hats made us unique that evening; I guess they represented that we were a part of a special group; that there was something to celebrate; and that we weren’t afraid to show it.
It’s kind of like the special hat that God gives us to wear- “the Helmet of Salvation”, as the Bible refers to it. This helmet (hat) represents our place of belonging to a really special group (God’s very own family), it definitely means there is something to celebrate (we get to be with Him forever), and it means that we aren’t afraid to show it (we wear the helmet of salvation with great pride and joy).

1 Thessalonian 5:8-10,  having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as 

a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but 

for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that

 whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.