Bishop Robert Schnase wrote: “Churches practicing Radical Hospitality … surprise newcomers with a glimpse of the unmerited gracious love of God that they see in Christ.”
“Radical Hospitality describes churches that strive without ceasing to exceed expectations to accommodate and include others” (pg 21; Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations ©2007).
Many people and congregations are more generous and gracious at Christmas than at any other time of year. Primrose United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas is also very generous.
Every year we put out a Christmas tree or an Angel tree, which carries pertinent information about children’s needs for Christmas. We buy clothes, toys and sometimes food so that the children will not do without Christmas celebrations. Often times the children that we help are those we have encountered through some function, activity or event that happened at our church facilities. Some years we have helped the residents of the nursing home across the street – most of whom are quite elderly.
This year we did all of the above! As of this writing we have helped more than 27 children (and their parents), 3 nursing home residents and several adults have gifts under their Christmas trees this year. For a couple of families we even provided the Christmas tree. For quite a few families we provided Christmas dinner. That’s hospitality – sharing “the unmerited gracious love of God” with others that have come to us. We may be demonstrating the abundance of God’s grace and power as well.
But, with Bishop Schnase, I believe God is calling us to Radical Hospitality. God wants us to surprise our neighbors with a generous measure of God’s grace and love. Many people anticipate or expect churches to give something extra during the Christmas season. But, what if we gave clothes, toys, and/or food during the week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January? Or on St Valentine’s Day in February? Or at Easter? Or at St Patrick’s Day? Would that be the radical hospitality that strives “without ceasing to exceed expectations … to include others”?
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Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
November 17, 2008
A cold start to the day. We have not been able to get the heater fixed in the camper trailer. The two little electric heaters do not do enough all night long.
Today we are going to Branson. Dad and Mom are supposed to experience a "resort condominium" and the accompanying 90-minute sales pitch. We expect to have fun.
We had lunch at the Grand Country Buffet and fully enjoyed it. The food is tasty and the service is above average.
We drove through the Christmas lights at Shepherd of the Hills, Indian Point (near Silver Dollar City) and Branson. The lights at Shepherd of the Hills included scenes of Christmas in the Ozarks and Santa's workshop as well as reindeer and church scenes. It was absolutely fabulous!
The lights at Indian Point, which is a Corps of Engineers Park, were very nice.
The lights at Branson were above average. Some depicted Jesus and family being visited by shepherds while other lights portrayed the 12 days of Christmas. It was longer (that is, more lights) but not necessarily better than Indian Point. The light display at Shepherd of the Hills was definitely the best (and included a cup of cocoa).
Today we are going to Branson. Dad and Mom are supposed to experience a "resort condominium" and the accompanying 90-minute sales pitch. We expect to have fun.
We had lunch at the Grand Country Buffet and fully enjoyed it. The food is tasty and the service is above average.
We drove through the Christmas lights at Shepherd of the Hills, Indian Point (near Silver Dollar City) and Branson. The lights at Shepherd of the Hills included scenes of Christmas in the Ozarks and Santa's workshop as well as reindeer and church scenes. It was absolutely fabulous!
The lights at Indian Point, which is a Corps of Engineers Park, were very nice.
The lights at Branson were above average. Some depicted Jesus and family being visited by shepherds while other lights portrayed the 12 days of Christmas. It was longer (that is, more lights) but not necessarily better than Indian Point. The light display at Shepherd of the Hills was definitely the best (and included a cup of cocoa).
November 16, 2008
Off to church services this morning at the Church of Christ in Big Flat, Arkansas. The preacher/pastor taught the adult Sunday school class and preached the sermon afterwards. Interesting.
I wasn't (maybe still not) sure what point he was trying to make in the sermon. He seemed to ramble all through the Bible, quoting scripture verse after another. He told us that we needed to accept Christ's saving grace before it was too late. He told us that we needed to examine ourselves before taking the Lord's Supper. But, the sermon seemed so disjointed.
Dad and Mom's camper trailer (in which we are staying) has a malfunctioning heating system. First it was a propane leak, but now the burner for the heating system will not ignite. It is gonna be cold.
I wasn't (maybe still not) sure what point he was trying to make in the sermon. He seemed to ramble all through the Bible, quoting scripture verse after another. He told us that we needed to accept Christ's saving grace before it was too late. He told us that we needed to examine ourselves before taking the Lord's Supper. But, the sermon seemed so disjointed.
Dad and Mom's camper trailer (in which we are staying) has a malfunctioning heating system. First it was a propane leak, but now the burner for the heating system will not ignite. It is gonna be cold.
November 15, 2008
We're off on vacation! The plan is to spend a few days in Mt View, Arkansas and then go to Branson, Missouri and then go back to Mt View. That will take up a week and will be loads of fun for my wife, my parents and me.
On the way to Mt View today we stopped at the Rozark Hills coffee roasters in Rose Bud, Arkansas. I think their coffee is a most excellent roast.
Dad had told me that the coffee he drank in Costa Rica was great, so I asked the folks at Rozark Hills if they roasted any Costa Rican coffee beans. It just so happens that they had roasted fresh beans this morning! I bought two pounds - one for Dad and one for me. It tasted great tonight!
On the way to Mt View today we stopped at the Rozark Hills coffee roasters in Rose Bud, Arkansas. I think their coffee is a most excellent roast.
Dad had told me that the coffee he drank in Costa Rica was great, so I asked the folks at Rozark Hills if they roasted any Costa Rican coffee beans. It just so happens that they had roasted fresh beans this morning! I bought two pounds - one for Dad and one for me. It tasted great tonight!
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