God’s Grace Through Hospitality

 

“Take inventory of the gifts God has given you, not only material things, but spiritual things, and ask Him to show you how to share them with others.”

Elisabeth Elliot

A Heart For God

February 16

 

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in it’s various forms.

1 Peter 4:10

I have thanked the LORD this week for the grace of God expressed through John and Rosie by the way they extended hospitality to others last Sunday.  They so eagerly  welcomed family and friends into their home for lunch.  How easy it would have been to excuse themselves from being hospitable while they are still renovating their kitchen… But they did not!! ❤️

May the LORD bless your home and faith to believe He will draw the family of SGBC closer together by welcoming them into your home!!  I am blessed by your example and courage to not only welcome people into your home for fellowship, but by your energy and enthusiasm to serve them a meal with your china and crystal 😱! 

I hope your time together was a blessing and joy for trusting the LORD to refresh you as you sought to refresh and fellowship with others.  I pray He will bless your marriage and home! 

Photos: 

1-John and Rosie making the best of washing dishes in their

temporary washtub! 

2-Kitchen of J❤️R in renovation progress

3-Rosie’s beautifully set dining room table

Walk in Love

I'll take this slow sweet walk with you

You'll let go of my hand to say: I do

He will discover just how blessed a life can be

I know cuz all those years ago

Someone handed you to me

Every step that we take

Brings back the memories

Winter snows and horse shows

Dancing on the beach

I can't help thinking that I'm the lucky one

You're still my baby daughter

And now I've gained a son

I'll take this slow sweet walk with you

You'll let go of my hand to say : I do

He will discover just how blessed a life can be

I know 'cause all those years ago

Your mom handed you to me

Don't miss a chance to put each other first

Now that you've vowed for better or for worse

Don't let the beauty of this life pass you by

In the times of trouble you'll stand side by side

I'll take this slow sweet walk with you

You'll let go of my hand to say : I do

I picture a slow sweet walk yet to be

When you'll take my hand and say : 

Daddy come see

Then you'll know what it felt like

You won't believe what it feels like

Then you'll know what it felt like

When she handed you to me

She handed you to me 

Song:

Walk With You by Edwin McCain

Two years ago this day we released you, and you walked away.  Ceremonially, it was no easy feat.  Dad walked you down the aisle, bless his heart, while I watched and prayed, holding back tears!  

We were sure then, and know now, that our trust must be in God’s wise, loving care for you, which far surpasses ours. 

That day followed your 22nd birthday.  Our days together were fleeting!  On that day you became Luke’s wife by your “I do” covenant promise which will take you into eternity. 

Though we still feel your parting absence, we are thankful the LORD is at work to accomplish a very good thing, the meshing of your lives together for His glory.

I wonder and ask some days, “What is Your glory, LORD?”

I remember the day I heard this, 

“The glory of God is enough to sustain you (RSW).”

It is… and He will! 

We continue to pray for you, that your marriage to Luke will picture the love of Christ for His Bride, His Church.  

He purchased Her with His blood! 

Love sacrifices. 

Love endures.

If your relationship ever becomes more about each other than about Him, you’ve left His First Love and Glory in marriage. 

May your next year of marriage begin with a renewed aim for walking in the light of Christ’s love for His Bride.  

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:1-2

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”  This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Ephesians 5:31-33 

Parenting Patterns

 

Fathers and mothers, do not forget

 that children learn more by the eye than they do by the ear… Imitation is a far stronger principle with children than memory. What they see has a much stronger effect on their minds than what they are told.

The Duties of Parents.

J. C. Ryle

Sacrificial Headship

A man’s headship over his wife is characterized not by tyranny, cruelty, or bossism, but by sacrificial —

that is, self-denying, self abandoning—

love, Calvary love, 

the love that took Jesus to the cross. 

Elisabeth Elliot

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,

so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.  

Ephesians 5:25-27

Cross Marked

 

You cannot pour out a whole life all at once, but drop by drop you can give it to God as He asks for it, whenever He wants it.  Is there a place where you’ve been reserving certain rights for yourself, fearing to let go?  

Mark that place with a cross, and the glorious resurrection, new life, joy, and freedom will come. 

Elisabeth Elliot