Tag-Archive for » hospitality «

04
Jun
The Secret to Having God Hang Out at Your House

Does your house seem like the kind of place where God hangs out? Do you want your kids to have God encounters? Would you like to experience more of his presence?

Setting an atmosphere for God to walk among us in our homes requires that we wear the mantle of a servant. Since most of us already feel we do the chores of a servant, wearing the mantle shouldn’t be too big of an adjustment. It’s the heart attitude that separates a servant from a slave.

It was Jesus who stated that the greatest among us would be the servants, and that we would find Him hanging out with those who serve. Washing feet was the job of a servant, yet Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and asked that we do the same (John 13:12-17).

When we work in the yard, clean the house, or set a nice dinner table, we are creating a physical atmosphere of comfort for our families, and welcome for our guests. When we do so with the heart of a servant, a spiritual atmosphere is created for the presence of God to move among us.

Chore lists are important tools in teaching your kids responsibility, but do you also talk with your kids about a right heart attitude in doing those chores? A servant’s heart isn’t something you can dictate—it must be cultivated through relationship, prayer, and the Spirit Holy. If you want God to encounter your kids at home—even in the midst of their chores—you have to first set the spiritual atmosphere by serving your family with a right heart.

What are you doing to set an atmosphere for God to hang out at your house? Do you model a servant’s heart for your family?

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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Category: Daily chores, Personal growth  Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
26
May
Celtic Prayer For Unexpected Guests

I wish life was predictable, but it is not. Yet, blessings often sneak in unexpectedly if we have prepared our hearts to be interrupted.

I sometimes view unexpected phone calls as interruptions to my planned day, especially if the call is from someone needing something from me “right now.” Slow traffic, long lines at the grocery counter, work related demands, and the neighbor who drops in unexpectedly when I have been up all night with a sick kid and the house hasn’t seen “clean” in a month—these interruptions frustrate me.

What if all the people involved in these situations were viewed as unexpected guests into my life? Might a new perspective adjust my attitude and my interactions with them?

Brigid of Kildare was a woman who looked for the unexpected. She lived between 450 and 523 and was known for her generosity and hospitality to all, but especially to strangers, the poor, and the sick. She never saw people as interruptions to her life, but as guests to be welcomed. This is one of her house prayers still used by many as they prepare their hearts and lives to be interrupted by unexpected guests.

I would welcome the poor
and honour them.
I would welcome the sick
in the presence of angels
and ask God to bless and
embrace us all.
 
Seeing a stranger approach,
I would put food in the eating place.
drink in the drinking place,
music in the listening place,
and look with joy for the blessing of God,
who often comes to my home
in the blessing of a stranger.
 
We call upon the Sacred Three
to save, shield and surround
this house, this home,
this day, this night,
and every night.
 

You’ll find more of Brigid’s prayers in Celtic Daily Prayer—Prayers and Readings From the Northumbria Community. (See right sidebar for more details.) But for now, how do you prepare your heart and life to be interrupted by the unexpected guest?

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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Category: Celtic Christianity, Daily, My village  Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
13
Jan
Part 2 of an Interview With Liz Babbs, Author of Celtic Treasure

This week I am interviewing Liz Babbs, author of Celtic Treasure and an authority on Celtic spirituality. Thank you, Liz, for joining us again today and sharing your insights with us.

The Celts believed that whatever the task or time of day, there was a special prayer to be said. How can Christians today practice this same devotion? Can you share with us one of the prayers you have written? 

I’ve described prayer as “heart to heart communication with God” and relationships are all about communication. So I love the way the Celtic Christians naturally weaved prayer into the fabric of their daily lives, thanking God and remembering Him throughout their day.

The Celts believed that God was with them in every aspect of their lives. So whatever the task or time of day, there was a special prayer to be said. They didn’t just pray at meal times as we might today, but they had prayers for everyday tasks like baking bread, milking the cow or kindling the fire. As a housewife cut a cross in the dough she would bless it in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Christians can practice that same devotion today by becoming prayerfully aware of the presence of God in the ordinariness of everyday life. By being thankful for the simple things we normally take for granted like our health, warmth, light, water, shelter etc. As well as thanking God for the advances in technology and using computers and cell phones in appropriate ways that serve God rather than exclude him. There are computer programs and phone applications that help you connect with God and study the Bible.

The Isle of Mull
The Isle of Mull
Lord, make me an island
set apart for you.
Where the rock of ages
rings out with praise.
Where the waters of your spirit
saturate my soul
And the fire of your presence
burns deep within.
Liz Babbs
(p.40 Celtic Treasure)

 

Community and hospitality were key elements in how the Celts practiced their faith. Can you elaborate on this for us? How might we embrace this spirit of hospitality in our everyday lives?

Invite people round for meals to your house, especially people who live on their own. It means such a lot to be welcomed into someone’s house. It’s a precious gift we can give each other and it helps create community and a sense of belonging. Having a meal together and the sharing of food and drink was central to Jesus’ ministry. The monastic tradition continues to practice hospitality even today, welcoming strangers and guests as though they were Christ. Now there’s a challenge!

Join me on Friday for the last segment of my interview with Liz.

To find out more visit:

www.lizbabbs.com

www.celtictreasure.blogspot.com

In Him together, Susan Gaddis

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