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Ken and I both discovered (after marriage, incidently) that hospitality is one of our top spiritual gifts. We threw ourselves head-first into the hospitality ministry at New Spring, only to find ourselves physically burnt out within one year. Maybe the idea was a positive one, but the avenue wasn't quite the right one....

So we have recently made the focus of our hospitality efforts our own home. We host a home group here, and we thrive on the thrill of inviting over and sharing dinner with friends (and those we just want to get to know, or even just to make someone's week). I like to think that our home is a portal for the weary, a place where lonely college students or even just really busy families can come and unwind for a bit.

God gave us this wonderful new home, and I am still speechless at how all of the details brought us here. It wasn't long before I felt the tug, tug, tug at my heart to open it up to others. God has shown me this week a couple of new opportunities in which to put my hospitality to use, made easier by a home that now accommodates a tad bigger group of people than our last. "I gave it to you....now, use it for My glory," He whispers. What else can I say but, "Yes, Lord!"?

Our prayer is simple yet complete....for God to help us to reflect our gratefulness and thankfulness for His blessing of a home by sharing it openly with those we love (and even the unloved). It is a huge sacrifice, but a necessary one for Ken and I. Nothing brings me more joy.


"Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you....We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth." (3 John 1:5, 8, MSG)

"Be ready with a meal or a bed when it's needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it!" (Hebrews 13:2, MSG....what a mindblowing concept!!)

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