Entertaining for Eternity has Moved

Entertaining for Eternity has moved to new blog!  Visit the new blog at www.entertainingforeternity.com/blog!

I will be posting more often on my new blog, so come and explore it for ideas and inspiration on evangelistic hospitality!

Elevators

I was really blessed by this message from Chuck Swindoll & wanted to share it with you!

Elevators are weird places, aren't they? Especially crowded ones.  Years ago, a couple of friends and I were waiting for an elevator. As the doors slid open, I saw that the little space was packed with people whose faces all said, "You guys aren't gonna get in here, are you?"  Naturally, we did. I was last.  I felt the door close against my back . . . and everyone stared in my direction at the numbers above my head. After a few seconds of total silence, I smiled big and said loudly, "You might have wondered why we called this meeting!" The place broke open with laughter. It was amazing! People began talking and actually relating . . . on an elevator. When you stop and think about it, an elevator is a microcosm of our world: an impersonal place where anonymity, isolation, and independence are on display. No involvement, no encouragement. No need to share, reach out, or give a rip. Just watch the numbers and look at nobody. It's almost as if there's a sign over our lives that reads: NO TALKING, NO SMILING, NO TOUCHING, NO EYE CONTACT! I'm glad Jesus ignored that sign. Aren't you?  Our Savior modeled how to live—perfectly. He didn't just preach from heaven, keeping a safe distance from us. He came to earth. He literally became one of us. He cared. He listened. He served. He touched lives, supported, and affirmed. He encouraged. He connected. He took time to listen. He walked with people. Jesus never "took the elevator."  I can't think of a better time than the holidays to take this reminder to heart. We need to throw ourselves into family fun, meaningful mealtimes, and eye-to-eye conversations. But, like Jesus, we need to reach beyond our own circles.

You can find more inspirational messages like these by visiting http://www.insight.org 

Blessings Mix

Schools around America have either already begun their Thanksgiving break, or will start their break within the next few days.  Moms and Dads are now given the great task of keeping their children occupied and entertained while having a break from school.  Here is an idea for keeping your kids both occupied and entertained, but with a purpose.  Try making "Blessings Mix" with your children in these few days leading up to Thanksgiving.

"Blessings Mix" is a great "goodie bag" to hand out at a fall party or for Thanksgiving.  It's a yummy treat with a wonderful message.  Print the information below on a piece of paper and attach it to the bag of treats (punch a hole in the corner of the card).

Blessings Mix:

Bugles: Cornucopia, a symbol of our nation's abundance
Pretzels: Arms folded in prayer; a freedom sought by those who founded our country
Indian Candy Corn: This represents the sacrifices of the pilgrim's first winter: food was so scarce that settlers survived on just 5 kernels of corn a day
Nuts and Seeds: Promise of a future harvest; one we will reap only if seeds are planted and tended with diligence
Dried Fruits: Harvest gifts from our bountiful land
M&M's: Memories of those who came before us to lead us into a blessed future
Hershey's Kisses: The love of family and friends that sweetens our life

Simple & Creative Thanksgiving Ideas

Give the whole family a chance to understand thankfulness by making a food basket for the poor, volunteering to serve a meal at the local mission or adopting a needy family for the holidays.

As guests arrive for dinner, have them write on a slip of paper what they're thankful for and place it in a bowl.  Later, at the table, make a game of getting everyone to try and guess who wrote each slip of paper.

Make the children's table more fun by using a paper table cloth and giving each of them crayons or markers.  Trace each child's hand and let them turn it into a turkey.  Have leaves they could trace and color.  Print out copies of coloring book pages or games.

Place Card Ideas: Instead of writing names, put old photos of each family member at their place.  Everyone will want to take theirs home after they've shared something special about when the photo was taken.  

Put on a crock pot of hot cider ahead of time so the house smells good and you have a warm drink to hand people as they arrive.

Holiday Tea in Little Rock

For those of you in Little Rock, AR, I will be speaking at a Holiday Tea this Saturday, November 10th at 10 am.  For more information, please visit the church's website at: http://www.ibclr.org

Thankful at Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just around the corner!  Have you started to think about special ways you will celebrate?  I would love to share some of my family's favorite traditions with you!

Often at family Thanksgiving dinners we put a Thanksgiving related Bible verse at everyone's place at the table or on the back of their place card.  Before serving dessert, we have each person read their verse and say one thing that they are thankful for this year.

One verse, for example, is 1 Chronicles 16:6-9, 12; Give thanks to Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.  Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.  Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, the judgements he pronounced.

Other verses include 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Psalm 77:11-14, Psalm 92:1-5, Psalm 95:1-5, Psalm 75:1, Psalm 106:1, Philippians 4:6-7, Colossians 3:16-17.

Give this a try around your table this year and I think you will feel thankful you did!

What are you serving?

In moments of hospitality, comfort can pour from the kettle to a cup just as smoothly as comfort comes from having a conversation.  So whether you invite someone to simply sit for tea or to stay for dinner, realize that you are serving so much more.  When you open your home to others, it is comfort and connection that you serve!

For pretty and practical ideas of how to practice hospitality this fall, I recommend visiting www.bhg.com!