Month: May 2014

Reading Time: 2 minutes

(philoxenos Root (strangers or foreigners) of guests) (I Pet 4:9)

1 Pet 4:9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

I still remember walking into a restaurant and seeing a brand new position waiting at the checkin podium, Hospitality Server. So, they weren’t a hostess or host or just a server, they were – hospitality.

That not only seems like an outdated word, but one that is almost unheard in our culture today.

What does that word mean and where has the concept gone?

Wikipedia says it comes from the word “host” and “stranger” and It’s root word is enemy (ENEMY? – wow), where we get “hostile.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hospitality.

It eventually comes to mean entertain or care for guests.

The way Peter uses it here it means to be “fond of foreigners (guests).”Philos” is a friendly love and “Xenos” is a stranger.

It is interesting that Peter attaches the phrase, “without grumbling” to the admonition to be hospitable. I’m sure there are stories that he does not tell that made him write that extra bit.

I know as a little boy growing up in the sixties I would go along with my grandparents when they visited friends. We would all be warmly invited in, offered something to drink (and depending on the season a goodie or two) and then they would get down to the serious business of “visiting.” Sometimes it was a brief visit, never less than a half-an-hour, and that was if we just stood at the door and politely denied entrance because, “we were in a hurry.” Other times it would go on for a couple of hours! The point is, I know what it’s like to be a good host and I know what to expect when I drop by the house of a friend. Do you remember the simpler times in life when you or your parents would just “drop by” a neighbor’s home. Oh, I hear the backlash, “how rude – I would never go to someone’s home without warning.” Okay, so for you folks, warn them and then follow through by making the visit.

Are we just too busy to do this anymore? Is it about time or vulnerability or disconnectedness?

I can tell you this, if you are a friend of mine, you can know right now – sooner or later – I’m dropping in just because! And I expect you to offer a drink, some goodies and really good conversation about the things that really matter in our lives. So put on some clothes, forget about picking up the house and answer the door.

Is it any wonder we feel like strangers on Sunday morning? We practically are! Do you want to be family or congregants?

You and I can turn this whole “hospitable” thing around by being more intentional, sporadic and fun about being truly involved in each other’s lives. Oh, and don’t give me that, “but I’m a private person” nonsense. Jesus didn’t die “publicly” for us to live “privately!” We are family, let’s start acting like it.

Prayer: Father, we desperately need to see it each other more like family. Help us get over our comparisons and isolation to prepare us for heaven. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done.

Next week – Fellowship

Reading Time: 2 minutes

(sumpathes -suffer with, be compassionate)

1 Peter 3:8 “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.”

Can you “feel it in your gut” when a brother or sister is suffering?

Peter writes that harmony means “being sympathetic towards one another.” When your fellow Christian sister goes through difficult times, knowing that you feel that pain right along with them gives them great comfort.

I have to ask myself, “Am I coming to God and presenting my sister’s need as though it were my own? Do I shed tears or feel grief on behalf of someone else? Am I willing to feel “unsettled” because of her pain?”

Being sympathetic in prayer is one way to love one another. The way we talk to God about our fellow brother or sister’s pain can tell us a great deal about the level of our sympathy. Another way to love one another is to talk with someone when you know they are suffering. We all wonder, “What should I say? How should I act around them?”

It might help to think about how you would like to be treated when you are in pain. I know everyone in our family expresses suffering very different from each other. One, simply wants their basic needs met and prefers to have time just being left alone. Another, wants more and regular “attentiveness” even if that just means checking in on them. Still another, wants someone to stay close and “suffer” (linger) with them – they want to feel the physical presence of someone they know, love and trust. If you don’t know someone well enough to pick up on their preferences, you may need to ask. And then, maybe it’s not about words. I think people know when you care and are honestly concerned.

Here’s a tip. Rather than saying, “if you need anything let me know.” come up with a simple way to express your love and just do it. Send them some flowers, a heartfelt card or maybe a meal. Folks going through tough times rarely ask for help. Sometimes the suffering ones just assume their close friends will know what they need. In being sympathetic, put some actions to your love.

I know there are plenty of non-huggers out there. Honestly, a hug or even a double-handed handshake can go a long way to communicate when there are no words. A quick phone call or even a text message to say, “I was thinking about you and want to let you know I’m praying” will go a long way for a hurting soul.

Prayer: Jesus, help me to not only see when my sister or brother is in pain but help me to put myself in their shoes, to feel what they feel –  that should help my prayers to be more effective and my care to be more authentic. And help me be creative to actively serve them as well.

Next week – Hospitable

Reading Time: 2 minutes

(parakaleo – comfort, aiding, assisting)

Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Most of our Bibles may translate the word exhort, as “encouragement”. But we just looked at that word last week and this word is very different.

…To call to one’s side.

One of the words used for the Holy Spirit is “Paraclete.” One who “comes along side.” Also known as comforter.

Where in the world did we get the idea that the Christian life is a solo act? No wonder so many are discontented with their walk with God – they are doing it alone!

The whole idea of coming together is to experience life and Jesus alongside each other. And when things are really tough (because life is hard) we have each other to bring comfort. Most often we don’t need to give vast words of wisdom, we just need to be present – and listen. Folks want to be heard and understood. They want someone just to sit with them, even in complete silence. I’m pretty sure everyone reading this can do that!

Those 52 Sundays aren’t supposed to be filled with regular sit-fests staring at the back of someone’s head and nod-smiling at the Pastor from time to time. Come on! What part of any of these “one another’s” do you see in that?

“Exhort” or coming alongside to comfort must be done regularly and authentically to make love work. You have to know AND be known.

Sometimes I hear folks say, “Christianity isn’t church attendance.” I tell them, “the church needs you!” I can convince you that you need people, but what about all those people that need you?

Can we heed the author of Hebrews advice? – “Exhort one another; daily and regularly!” Who needs you to come alongside and just have you present, giving your full attention to whatever they are saying (or not saying).

Prayer: Father, I really need to see my church as a community of giving and receiving exhortation – comfort. And I need to come alongside people that are hurting and just be there for them. Help me also to share my needs when I’m feeling alone or in trouble.