My Mother taught me a lot of the things I learned about living on mission with Jesus. Here are a few of the things she modeled for me while I was in High School:

1. Serve others – If you drove by our house after our weekly high school football game you would see my uniform hanging on our cloths line to dry. But it would not be by itself. There would be two or three more next to it. You see, she would wash the uniforms of a couple of my friends to help their moms. Not only did she wash them, she scrubbed out the grass stains on white pants with a bar of soap.
2. Eat with your friends – The guys (and sometimes the gals) ate at my house often. We ate a lot of chicken fried steak! She would feed us before our ball games, after our ball games, on Saturdays, on Sundays . . .
3. Do life with others at your house – Our house was always open to others. If we were not hosting my friends, they were my brother’s or some group from the church. It seems like someone lived with us almost every summer.
4. Notice the unnoticed – My mom was always doing things for the kids on the fringes, the ones who often went unnoticed. (see #1 above).

I could keep the list going but you get the picture. Mildred has reached the age of 80 and still teaches young children in Sunday School. She and Dad traveled 200 miles a few weekends ago to lead a lay renewal weekend. They will be involved in another next weekend – its more than 300 miles from their home.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!

The Sanders - Jerry, Alton, Millie, Terry - January 2010

Grace and Peace,

Terry

About a month ago I stopped to eat at a local restaurant I had never been to before. The accent of my server was one that was unfamiliar to me so I simply asked the nation of his origin. He came from a country about which I know very little. In the matter of a minute or two I learned a few things about his situation. We exchanged names and I went on my way.

Yesterday we were able to speak again.

It was about 1:30 p.m. and I had missed lunch. I was driving by the restaurant and heard the Spirit of God prompting me to stop. Once again, he was my server. I ordered something light to eat and looked for opportunities to continue our conversation from a month before. I called him by name and he shared that although he served many people he remembered my previous visit.

One of the great things about this encounter is that the restaurant was almost empty. He was able to linger around my table and talk. I mostly asked questions and kept the focus on his life. In the matter of a few minutes I learned about his journey to this country, his wife, and 6 month old child. As I listened I also discerned that he was a little lonely.

When he went to get my check, I wondered what type of friends he had made.  Is his wife lonely, too? Does he have a relationship with Jesus?

When he returned I asked a final question.

I said, “I don’t know much about your native land. I was wondering if we could have coffee sometime and you could tell me about your culture?” Smiling from ear to ear he replied that he would love to have coffee with me. He even extended an invitation to his home. Before I could ask, he wrote his phone number for me. It’s on my desk in front of me right now.

I look forward to seeing him again and the possibility of forming a new friendship. I also get to learn a little about a place far, far away.

Let me challenge you to be aware of those around you today. Take a little time and listen. Ask a few questions. I have found that most people will engage you in conversation if you ask a few simple questions. You just might make a new friend and get to drink some coffee.

Grace and Peace,

Terry

In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul presents to us a list of nine characteristics of the fruit that is produced by the Holy Spirit. Have you ever asked yourself the question, “Who gets to eat the fruit of the Spirit?”

God did not put fruit on trees for decorations like we put ornaments on our Christmas trees. Fruit grows on trees to satisfy hunger. The fruit is there, not for the tree, but for people to eat.

The peach tree in my backyard brings glory to its creator when luscious peaches hang from its branches. It also brings glory to God when it fulfills its purpose of providing its fruit for those who eat it.

In our consumeristic culture we have come to believe that the fruit of the Spirit is for ourselves to enjoy. We see it primarily as something we possess. Something that ornaments our lives. But it is so much more than “How can I have more Fruit of the Spirit in my life?”

God wants to produce fruit in our lives, not just for the sake of bearing fruit, but for others to eat. Jesus told us that the first and greatest commandment was to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength but he also told us to love our neighbor as ourselves. We give glory to God when we live for others. We are to bear fruit that will be eaten by others, feeding their hungry hearts.

Do you bring your fruit basket with you when you gather with your brothers and sisters in Christ? When you go to work? When you hang out with friends?

Today, let the Spirit produce his fruit in you and give someone else a piece of fruit?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

Grace and Peace,

Terry

If we look, we will see people all around us who need encouragement. Here are 4 types of people who need encouragement:

1. Those who are not aware of their value and potential
2. Those who are exhausted and frazzled
3. Those just beginning their journey with Jesus
4. Those who are discouraged and want to give up

Are you involved enough with other people enough to know when they need encouragement?

What will you do?

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV

Grace and Peace,

Terry

The only person she knew when she entered the room was the host. She had been invited to participate in a woman’s group conducted by a Cares Team Leader for Apartment Life. It was a small gathering with a lot of discussion and sharing. There was a mix of backgrounds and personalities among the women gathered there.

At one point the group leader asked her to share her story about her journey with Jesus. She opened her heart. She told about making her decision to follow Christ when she was a girl and a little of what that journey had looked like over the years.

After the sharing time was over the women engaged in a time of informal visiting. A young woman approached her and told her that she really liked hearing her story. The conversation was simple and did not take long. Soon both were talking with others.

A few days later the group leader called and shared that the second young woman had approached her about the story. She said something like this, “I really enjoyed hearing your friend’s story. I wish I had a story to tell.”

The door was open to tell how she too could start a journey with Jesus and one day have her own story.

Do you have a story about your journey with Jesus? Who needs to hear it?

Pray and ask the Father to give you the opportunity to share your story?

Grace and Peace,

Terry

Join the Conversation: Who first shared their story about their journey with Jesus with you?

Last weekend I spent the night in a hotel and was a guest of the hospitality industry.

Hotels go to great length to make guests feel welcome by providing amenities. Locks on the doors and security guards made me feel secure and protected. The coffee was hot and tasty , plus I could make a pot in my room if I so desired. The desk clerk was polite and attended to our needs. Breakfast was provided for all the guests. There was a variety of magazines to read, including one about hospitality.

The Bible calls on Christians to practice hospitality which is simply a relationship between a host and a guest. For me this means doing life together with people in my home. It is sharing meals together, drinking coffee and eating pie. Hospitality encompasses celebrating the joys and comforting the sorrows of life. Sometimes it means offering a safe place to spend the night. Hospitality is offering my home as a place for the church to gather.

Here are 5 ways you can practice Christian hospitality:

1. with the poor and needy (Luke 14:12-14)
2. with God’s people (Romans 12:13)
3. with the those yet to follow Christ (Luke 15:1-2)
4. with the “stranger” (Hebrews 13:2)
5. with those who share the Good News (3 John 1:7-9)

Make plans and invite someone over for a cup of coffee and conversation before the week is over.

Grace and Peace,

Terry

Join the Conversation: What aspect of hospitality do you find challenging?