In a world where the internet is “everything,” I think each one of us needs to think about how to be a hospitable Christian on social media. In episode 41, we talked about our need to be seen. When we’re irritated and rightly angry at others wanting to be “seen” in their sin, we need to remember that we all really want to be “seen,” and often our desire for it leads us to sin. We talked about social media and how it reflects this innate desire in each of us – but how God already sees us, and what that looked like in scripture. Today I want to drill down together a little bit more about how we ..read more

People have an inherent need to be seen. So it’s no surprise that America, at the outcry of a small sect of the population, declared a “National Day of Transgender Visibility.” It’s no surprise that a president placed himself in a position of seeming support to declare a group people “visible,” as if his statement issued support, love, and validation in a meaningful way.     Christians raised an outcry, offended that this day took place this year on Resurrection Day. The disrespect! And they’re right – it’s thumbing the nose at God, to declare a holiday for a lifestyle choice that g ..read more

There are many ways to love our brothers and sisters in Christ, but there is one way that is perhaps the easiest and most effective. How can and should we pray for the body of Christ? We can love our brothers and sisters in Jesus in the easiest (but arguably the most powerful) way, by praying that churches and leaders: worship in spirit and in truth boldly proclaim the gospel   Recently at a community Bible study I am co-leading with a friend, she shared about her family’s ride to church last week. She and her children decide to pray on the way for every church they passed. Such a sim ..read more

What is Your Hospitality Legacy? Christian women: we are called to leave a legacy of hospitality! Today, my friend Sue shares with some ideas about leaving a legacy – a life of welcome. ? From Sue: I have a good-china legacy. I love pretty dishes. I have to be careful in thrift shops, especially if I spy green glass. I come by this legacy naturally—Mom loved pretty dishes.  Every Sunday we’d ask, “Mom, which china do you want to use— Grandma’s or yours?” She’d say, “How about Grandma’s— pretty dishes are meant to be used!”  I got Mom’s pretty-dishes-DNA. She had two china cabinets ..read more

What does it mean to “let the Word dwell in you richly?” This instruction can inform, equip and energize us as we look to live the inviting life. It’s the driving force behind building genuine connection and community as Christ followers. Our theme thought for today is this: As God’s word (the message about Christ) dwells in us richly, it will increasingly shape how we speak and live in Christian community.    In this episode, we dig deeper into Colossians 3:16-17, as a defining passage for how to cling to Jesus and walk out the #invitinglife. Let the word of Christ dwell in you ric ..read more

I introduce to you… cream cheese chocolate chip cookie bars. ? Who doesn’t need a quick, easy, and reliable crowd pleaser for a dessert to bring to your table any time of the year? Kimberly from Lavish Hospitality shared her (most requested!) cream cheese chocolate chip cookie bars recipe with us today and from the feedback of her friends-circle, it’s magical! I’m planning to make these this week as a gluten-free version; I’ll check back in and share my successes on Instagram! ? From Kimberly: Back when I was single and had more time on my hands, and honestly when blogging was a lot different ..read more

Today I want to talk about an unexpected way to create welcome in your church. It might seem counter-intuitive, but I think this is more effective in the long run than any cute gift or committee or other method. In episode 37 (Better Than Elderberries with Noelle Talley), Noelle gave me interesting insight into her family’s journey of becoming an integral part of a new church community. I realize, as I look back on our own family’s experience, there is one way many churches (and women’s Bible studies, and mom’s groups, and so on…) don’t even think to embrace members. But it makes a huge diffe ..read more

We need Jesus more than elderberries. Here’s your reminder! ? Today we welcome Noelle Talley, owner of Noelle’s Naturals. Noelle became a friend when I had the privilege of being her birth photographer ten years ago, and since then she’s had some wild adventures in business and in life. Today we talk about how God’s people showed her family welcome during a huge transition and how she’s living the “inviting life” through her successful natural products business.  A few key takeaways from our conversation: On how a new church made the Talley family feel at home after a huge move: “We wer ..read more

What a gift to interview Tabitha Deller, fellow author, speaker and mom. Tabitha challenges us to speak the gospel with your life – invite others into your heart and home for the gospel, and she encourages us as she walks out a daily life of inviting, sharing the gospel, and “linking arms” with other women.     Highlights from my time with Tabitha:   Hospitality in any group of people doesn’t always come easily. We need to look for creative ways to expand our circle if God is calling us to do so. Talk over with your husband, if you’re married, about how often is comfortable ..read more

We need our people as Christians – our family in Christ is His gift to us in a lonely, dark, and often difficult world.     “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:9-10) Do you see it? There’s a special and unique gift in “our people,” our family in Christ! God has called us into a special relationship with other believers, and He uses us in each other’s lives as we live this #invitinglife. In 1 ..read more