|
Living Stone Kirkers,
Thanksgiving is less than two weeks out. I'd like to emphasize that one of the best weapons we have against the darkness is what I've frequently referred to as militant hospitality. So, as you're planning the menu, also plan to rope in folks who may not have family nearby. Go out of your way to ask the college students if they're sticking around for the holiday, and make sure to bring them along for the feast. Now, hospitality should be one of our defining virtues, but Christian hospitality must start with your own family. Many marriages have cultivated a hospitality to everyone and everything else, and been quite inhospitable to each other. So, a few words on cultivating a healthy marriage.
If you smelled natural gas in your home, you would hasten to clear the air, fix the leak, and make sure to keep a safe distance. All too often, especially in marriages, husbands and wives allow toxic fumes to fill the room. Ask yourself, what is the atmosphere of your marriage and home? A danger is to just tolerate the musty air that has accumulated, and accept it as normal. But there is something you can do about it. Jesus wants your marriage to be better more than you want it to be better.
First of all, you can't make your husband/wife be kind to you. But you can be kind to them. To that end, there are likely a lot of little kindnesses that you can do today that will go a long way. Here are some examples. Do a chore that your spouse usually takes care of. Leave a kind note. Husbands, swing by home just to say a quick "hi, how are you?" to your wife. Wives, put on that lipstick and give your hubby a big smooch when he walks through the door. Pay an unqualified compliment to your spouse in front of other people (My husband is just incredible at ________, My wife is absolutely amazing at ________). Gifts, flowers, a favorite treat, a lovey-dovey text, a warm expression of affection, and being fully present in conversation are all very simple kindnesses that hardly cost anything at all and go a long way.
Now, a few things to be aware of. This year our churches have mutually agreed to have our own Christmas Eve services. While it would be nice to do something all together, we have grown in size as to make that well-nigh impossible. Thus, we will be having our first ever Living Stone Christmas Eve service. Time and details TBD. If you'd be interested in helping us form a choir, please direct your interest to Patrick Work.
Lastly, Ben Merkle and Ian Kern helped us as Elders Pro Tem during our first few months of transitioning to a particularized church; they have now officially transitioned off our session. If you have any questions, let us know.
With that, have a lovely weekend.
For His renown,
Pastor Ben
|
No Comments