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Ladies Tea Luncheon

By on June 16, 2008 in missions & ministry, recipes & kitchen tips

I have always loved tea parties! Growing up I collected all sorts of elegant tea cups, tea pots, and the like (from Goodwill, garage sales, gifts, etc). We hosted many a Mother’s Day (to honor mother’s in our church) and Christmas teas (neighborhood gatherings) growing up, and it was such a delight to bless other women in our home in this way. Continuing on in this tradition, I invited a few ladies over for a tea luncheon this past Saturday.

We had such a refreshing time of fellowship and encouragement together around the Lord. I invited everyone to come prepared to share how the Lord has been working in their lives. It could be insight from a book, or sermon, or simply whatever the Lord laid on their hearts. I was so greatly challenged as we discussed the importance of the Word and daily communion with the Lord to walk out our roles of wives and mothers.

Why not host a little tea or simple luncheon this summer and encourage your sisters in the Lord? You can honor mothers in this way, or reach out to neighbor ladies as well. Draw your attention to the Lord and it will be very fruitful. Older woman, seek to encourage the younger woman (thanks Mama Edmonds for your presence and godly wisdom!). Let’s seek to be purposeful in our plans this summer! (More encouragement on this topic lately from Girltalk).

Here’s some recipes to get you inspired…

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A Home for God

By on June 7, 2008 in making a home, missions & ministry

“I believe with all my heart that one of the greatest soul saving stations in the world is the home.”
- Dawson Trotman, founder of the Navigators

One person observed about Dr. Francis Schaeffer’s wife, Edith: “As many people were brought to the Lord through Mrs. Schaeffer’s cinnamon buns as through Dr. Schaeffer’s sermons.”

Peter Marshall, former chaplain of the Senate, told the story: “I was privileged, in the spring, to visit in a home that was to me – and I am sure to the occupants – a little bit of Heaven. There was beauty there. There was a keen appreciation of the finer things of life, and an atmosphere in which it was impossible to keep from thinking of God.

“The room was bright and white and clean, as well as cozy. There were many windows. Flowers were blooming in pots and vases, adding their fragrance and beauty. Books lined one wall – good books – inspiring and instructive – good books – good friends…Nature’s music, nature’s beauty – nature’s peace…It seemed to me a kind of Paradise that had wandered down, an enchanted oasis – home.”

Oh to make my home a place of refreshment and warmth to both family, friends, and to offer hospitality to others! It need not be expensively decorated or perfectly organized, but let us make it our goal to allow the love of Jesus to radiate from the door to every corner of our homes. What a high and noble calling to make a haven of rest to all who enter!

My hearts cry: Lord, help me to make my home a place where all find it impossible to keep from thinking of God! Care to join me in making this your prayer as well?

Selections quoted in Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney

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Welcoming New Neighbors

By on May 23, 2008 in missions & ministry

Gift basket included: Milano cookies, chocolates, popcorn & a candle -all for around $7 dollars!

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

God calls us to be salt and light to those He has placed in our lives! I believe he places each of his children in a specific community and neighborhood to be an ambassador for Him. However long or short the season we have as neighbors, our desire has been to seek to invest in a relationship as much as possible, while praying and trusting that God will allow us to plant the seed of the gospel into their lives. However little it might seem in our eyes, each thought and care can be a seed that may eventually bear much fruit.

One thing that we have sought to do is to compile a small gift basket of goodies to welcome any new neighbor that comes into our neighborhood. Since we live in a condo community this happens more frequently than most, and does make friendship building a bit more difficult, but all the same, we desire to be purposeful and make little investments. This week I sought to take advantage of the opportunity as we have recently had two new units occupied in the past few weeks (one with a family, the other a single lady).

How can you seek to make an eternal investment in the lives of those living in such close proximity to you? It doesn’t have to be limited to new neighbors, you can bring over a basket of goodies any time, even if they have been living there awhile and you just haven’t introduced yourselves yet. It doesn’t take much. Baking goods is a fun way to minister as a family, if you have little munckins to include.

Other ideas to include in a welcoming basket: Sparkling cider, tract, homemade goodies (always the best and more frugal, as time and energy allows -unfortunately, not this week for me), small loaves of sweet breads, card, etc. Find great gift baskets at goodwill or a garage sale (these were found for 25 cents at a garage sale last week). I purchased the candles at the Dollar store.

We are planning on delivering our goodie welcome baskets tomorrow, that is, if our neighbors are home!

Same items as the first, just arranged differently

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure– pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” Luke 6:38

I would love to hear of any other ideas you might have for ministering in your neighborhood!

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Ministry from the Home – Freezer Meals

By on May 7, 2008 in missions & ministry

This past Friday, I invited a few single friends of mine over to make some freezer meals! These were special freezer meals…for they were to be given to a needy family in our church. The mother is bedridden with high blood pressure nearing the end of her pregnancy, while having five children currently to care for. The baby has a hole in his heart and will need surgery right away. They are also in the process of adopting five Liberian children, coming to the States any time. Please consider praying for the Klement family!

Why not have some productive fellowship and make some meals for this family? A great way to minister from my home and bring a few others along for the ride!

Here are some pictures from our days adventures! I had another friend, although not pictured, Holly, who came and helped me shop for groceries and begin the cooking process in the morning.

My friends, Megan & Anna

Putting all the toppings on!

Megan, myself & Anna

The finished product resulted in six freezer meals, even more than we expected! We made two each of chicken enchiladas, shepherd’s pie & Chicken Divan (broccoli, rice, chicken casserole). And they all had to be gluten-free as well! And they were oh so good! We even had enough for the three of us to enjoy a little dinner at the end of the day!

Know of anyone you could minister to in this way? Why not include others and have wonderful edifying fellowship! Little ones can be included as well!

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Living to Give

By on April 18, 2008 in frugal & simple, missions & ministry

“Measure thy life by loss instead of gain;
Not by the wine drunk but by the wine poured out.” ~Ugo Bassi

“Only one life twill soon be passed,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

William Borden was the son of a wealthy businessman, and could have settled for a life of convenience and ease. He dedicated his life as a missionary, focusing his college years on reaching those around him with the gospel. He died before even arriving in China, but his devotion inspired multitudes. He left his fortune (one million dollars) to be invested in the cause of Christ, in addition to the thousands of dollars he had given away in his lifetime.

In his flyleaf was written these words:

No reserves.
No retreats.
No regrets.

After Christ has suffered so much on our behalf that we might be partakes of the gift of eternal life, how can we not live with a spirit of martyrdom…willingness to give it all for His sake! This has been on my heart and mind…and will not seem to go away. How can I learn to give lavishly – with no reserves! That I might come to the end of my life with no regrets! Is this the day I die? was the question that Brother Yun asked daily (in his book Heavenly Man -the story of a Chinese persecuted Christian).

How can I give to meet the needs of another today? Could it be with time, money or energy?

The challenge is to give when you think you can afford it but also to give when you think you can’t afford it!

Should I really be saving for myself? Give until it hurts – my dad always said!

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Giving Largely & Ministering Mercy

By on April 1, 2008 in missions & ministry

While reading Ministries of Mercy by Tim Keller together with my husband this evening, we came across these thought provoking quotes:

“Mercy to the full range of human needs is such an essential mark of being a Christian that it can be used as a test of true faith. Mercy is not optional or an addition to being a Christian. Rather, a life poured out in deeds of mercy is the inevitable sign of true faith.” - Tim Keller

Am I walking out my faith in demonstrations of mercy to those in need? Is this shining forth as a sign of my salvation?

“To give largely and liberally, not grudging at all, requires a new heart; an old heart would rather part with its life-blood than its money. Oh my friends! Enjoy your money, make the most of it; give none away; enjoy it quickly for I can tell you, you will be beggars throughout eternity.” ~ Robert Murray M’Cheyne

Do I have that new heart that gives largely and liberally without grumbling? Lord, that is my prayer!

“The gospel is the gospel of the kingdom, and unless we give our hearts to Jesus as king, we have not given them at all. The ministry of mercy is expensive and our willingness to carry it out is a critical sign of our submission to the lordship of Christ.” ~Tim Keller

Every Christian is called to be a deacon, who is to wash the feet of others in humble service. How can I be a deaconess/minister of mercy in some way this week?

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Titus2Talk: Training our Children for Ministry – Part 1

By on March 3, 2008 in building the family, missions & ministry

scarlet.JPG I am excited to post our first interview with a Titus 2 woman, one who is walking out her role as a wife and mother in a beautiful, God-glorifying way. Scarlett is a woman that I have greatly admired. I have loved observing the way she has worked alongside her husband to train and disciple her children to follow Christ. She is wife to Cobe and mother to seven lovely children that are a delight to be around. After talking about ministry as a family several weeks back, I wanted to pick the brains of a few women I know, asking how they are training and including their children in ministry as a family.

Thanks Scarlett!

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Mission Minded Budget

By on February 12, 2008 in frugal & simple, missions & ministry

budget.JPG

Since completing my simple living series, and digging deeper into the topic of money, saving and frugality…God has really impressed a vision on my heart. We sat down with a lovely missionary couple last week as well which also inspired this vision. How can we be preparing now for God’s mission for our family?
Here it is…why not adjust our budget to such an extent that we provide for our basic needs and anything above and beyond that would be for God’s kingdom work? Can we make our budget work so that we are living a mission minded lifestyle? Can we figure out the very least amount we could live on month by month, and any earnings above that would be given to the Lord?

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Simple Living – Part 3: Hospitality

By on February 1, 2008 in frugal & simple, missions & ministry

For the previous posts in this series, visit here.

hospitality.JPG

The third reason we are aiming to live a simple lifestyle is in order to maintain a hospitable home. I want our home to be a place of refuge to those whom God calls us to serve, whether it be neighbors, incorporating new families from the church or strengthening old relationships. Hospitality is a command!

After discussing that every member has a gift to contribute to the well-being of the entire body, Paul commands that we be devoted to one another, serving in the Lord, “contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality” (Rom. 12:13). And in 1 Peter 4:9, “Be hospitable to one another without complaint.”

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A Glorious Work: The Home

By on December 12, 2007 in making a home, missions & ministry

The household is the God-ordained seat of education. It the first place where we are to develop and communicate a distinctly Christian aesthetic for culture. The home is not to be relegated to a mere place for consumption, but transformed into a powerful tool for industry and production…The home…has always been the God-ordained primary locus for daily worship. Our homes not only provide us with a platform to honor God’s non-optional commands for one-anothering and hospitality, but they are designed to be the most powerful forums for evangelism and discipleship in the Christian’s arsenal.”
- Doug Phillips

“Ladies, we have a great and glorious work before us. Keeping the home has been entrusted to us by God…Using our gifts and talents to glorify God in our role as helpers to our husbands, all within the well-choreographed dance of home life, imparts a quiet lesson to a watching world and communicates true contentment in the loveliness of womanhood. It declares ‘His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people’ (Psalm 96:3).”
- Stacy McDonald

Quotes taken from “Passionate Housewives: Deseperate for God” by Jennie Chancey & Stacy McDonald. An excellent book to refresh your vision for your role in the home.

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