Let's consider what the word hospitality means, what it actually involves on a day to day basis. We are showing hospitality when...
...we accommodate, provide a comfortable place for someone
...we are affable, gentle and gracious
...we are amiable, friendly and agreeable
...we are cheerful
...we serve as companions; holding a hand, listening, just being there
...we are considerate
...we are cordial, warm and sincere
...we entertain; invite guests over for company, to nourish, treat and welcome
...we are friendly, warm and comforting
...we show generosity
...we welcome in warmth
...we are sociable
...we show kindness
Sunday, 29 April 2012
Hospitality part 1 - What does the bible say?
Hospitality is really important to me. As a family, we really enjoy welcoming others around our table! This is the first of a series of posts exploring the value and importance of Christian hospitality. As always, scripture is e best place to start, and there are certainly no shortage of references to hospitality in both the Old and New Testament. Did you know that in the book of Acts alone there are 30 direct references to hospitality being given and received? So, here are a few to get us started...
Hebrews 13:2 do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
1 Peter 4:9 ShOw hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Romans 12:13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Leviticus 19:34 You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
Have a look through these, too...
Matthew 25:34-46
Romans 16:2
Leviticus 19:33
Ephesians 6:7
Proverbs 31:20
Titus 1:8
1 Timothy 3:2
3 John 1:5-8
Mark 9:41
Isaiah 58:7
2 Kings 4:8-17
Exodus 23:9
Hebrews 13:2 do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
1 Peter 4:9 ShOw hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Romans 12:13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Leviticus 19:34 You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
Have a look through these, too...
Matthew 25:34-46
Romans 16:2
Leviticus 19:33
Ephesians 6:7
Proverbs 31:20
Titus 1:8
1 Timothy 3:2
3 John 1:5-8
Mark 9:41
Isaiah 58:7
2 Kings 4:8-17
Exodus 23:9
Things to do - create a cloud
This is an almost educational activity, but don't let that put you off!
You can make a cloud in your kitchen using a clear, empty two litre plastic pop bottle, a match and some water.
First, fill the bottle one third full of hot water. Put the top on and give it a really good shake for one minute. As the water evaporates, water vapour will be produced in the wit inside the bottle.
Unscrew the top of the bottle and hold a lit match just inside the opening for a few seconds. Drop the lit match into the bottle and immediately replace the cap. Watch as the space above the water fills with smoke and soot.
Give the bottle a tight squeeze then quickly release it. Keep squeezing and releasing the bottle until you see a cloud form.
Once you have created your cloud, take the cap off the bottle and watch the little cloud escape.
You can make a cloud in your kitchen using a clear, empty two litre plastic pop bottle, a match and some water.
First, fill the bottle one third full of hot water. Put the top on and give it a really good shake for one minute. As the water evaporates, water vapour will be produced in the wit inside the bottle.
Unscrew the top of the bottle and hold a lit match just inside the opening for a few seconds. Drop the lit match into the bottle and immediately replace the cap. Watch as the space above the water fills with smoke and soot.
Give the bottle a tight squeeze then quickly release it. Keep squeezing and releasing the bottle until you see a cloud form.
Once you have created your cloud, take the cap off the bottle and watch the little cloud escape.
Sunday, 22 April 2012
Things to do - parachuting
You can make a mini parachute with a 30cm circle cut from a plastic carrier bag, 8 lengths of thread, about 35cm long, and a little plastic toy (a soldier is traditional, but use whatever you have - why shouldn't a plastic sheep have a go at parachuting?)
Tie the threads around the edge of the circle, at evenly spaced intervals, then tie them all to the plastic toy. Pinch the middle of the circle, swing it around then let go. As the toy falls, the parachute will open. The higher you can get, the better it will work.
Why not make a parachute for each member of the family and see whose stays in the air longest?
Tie the threads around the edge of the circle, at evenly spaced intervals, then tie them all to the plastic toy. Pinch the middle of the circle, swing it around then let go. As the toy falls, the parachute will open. The higher you can get, the better it will work.
Why not make a parachute for each member of the family and see whose stays in the air longest?
Sunday, 15 April 2012
The most common problem that nobody has...
"Envy has the power to sabotage our own personal destiny in God because God cannot honour our efforts when they are subliminally driven by impure motives. As long as envy remains hidden in the crevices of our hearts, our fruitfulness in Christ will inescapably be impeded.
but more than that, when we envy one another in the Kingdom of God, we release dynamics that actually bind the progress of the Kingdom in our sphere, or region. envy has the power to obstruct the release of Kingdom blessing...
...Envy killed the body of Jeses Christ when he came to this planet the first time, and it's still killing his body - the church - today."
From 'Envy: The Enemy Within' by Bob Sorge
but more than that, when we envy one another in the Kingdom of God, we release dynamics that actually bind the progress of the Kingdom in our sphere, or region. envy has the power to obstruct the release of Kingdom blessing...
...Envy killed the body of Jeses Christ when he came to this planet the first time, and it's still killing his body - the church - today."
From 'Envy: The Enemy Within' by Bob Sorge
Saturday, 14 April 2012
Tower building.
A team building exercise in all sorts of situations, or a competition, or just for fun.
You could make up a whole backstory of why the tower is being built, such as a signal for help by lost explorers in the rainforest, or you could just build it!
You could set requirements, such as the tower has to be at least as tall as the smallest person in your family,mor has to support the weight of a golf ball, or a small torch, etc.
My favourite materials for tower building are marshmallows and spaghetti, partly because the participants get sticky hands which ups their frustration level ;-)
Newspaper and a limited amount of tape are good - rolled up sheets of newspaper make a surprisingly strong building material.
Art straws, or drinking straws, and a limited amount of tape or blutak work well.
I've always set a time limit for tower building, as well as a limited range of materials, and given it a competitive edge, but it would be quite interesting to see what could be done with no limits at all. I imagine enormous structures could be created!
You could make up a whole backstory of why the tower is being built, such as a signal for help by lost explorers in the rainforest, or you could just build it!
You could set requirements, such as the tower has to be at least as tall as the smallest person in your family,mor has to support the weight of a golf ball, or a small torch, etc.
My favourite materials for tower building are marshmallows and spaghetti, partly because the participants get sticky hands which ups their frustration level ;-)
Newspaper and a limited amount of tape are good - rolled up sheets of newspaper make a surprisingly strong building material.
Art straws, or drinking straws, and a limited amount of tape or blutak work well.
I've always set a time limit for tower building, as well as a limited range of materials, and given it a competitive edge, but it would be quite interesting to see what could be done with no limits at all. I imagine enormous structures could be created!
Cracker game.
Stand, with head tipped back.
Rest a cracker on your forehead.
Manoeuvre the cracker into your mouth, without using your hands.
The winner is the first person (or quite possibly, the only person!) to successfully eat their cracker.
Rest a cracker on your forehead.
Manoeuvre the cracker into your mouth, without using your hands.
The winner is the first person (or quite possibly, the only person!) to successfully eat their cracker.
Friday, 13 April 2012
Play dough, bubbles and slime.
Play dough recipe.
115g plain flour
60g salt
2 tablespoons cream of tartar (from the baking section in the supermarket, near to the baking powder)
2 tablespoons veg oil
275ml water (with food colouring added, if you like)
1 teaspoon vanilla essence (optional, but it really imporoves the smell!)
Put all the ingredients into a large saucepan, and heat over a medium heat, stirring, until the dough forms into a ball. When cool enough, knead it until it is nice and smooth.
When not being used, don't leave it to dry out. Keep in an airtight container, wrap up in cling film or a plastic bag. That way, it will last for ages.
Bubble recipe.
150ml washing up liquid (the cheaper, the better)
1.5litres water
2 tablespoons of glycerine (optional, but it really, really improves the mix)
Mix the ingredients together gently, so they don't get too bubbly. Pour into containers. You can use it right away, but it is more effective if you can leave it overnight, or for a few hours.
Making bubble wands.
> just looping your thumb and fret finger into a circle makes a simple and effective bubble wand, but you will get a bit soapy.
> garden wire, or wire coat hangers can be shaped into wands of various sizes. Watch out for sharp ends.
> pipe cleaners work, but get a bit soggy
> drinking straws make loads of tiny bubbles
> raid your kitchen drawers for any implements with holes in them!
Slime recipe.
2 mugs of water
1/2 mug of corn flour
Food colouring
Boil water in pan. Add corn flour, then colouring, while stirring CONSTANTLY.
Leave to cool.
Makes a messy, gooey slime!
115g plain flour
60g salt
2 tablespoons cream of tartar (from the baking section in the supermarket, near to the baking powder)
2 tablespoons veg oil
275ml water (with food colouring added, if you like)
1 teaspoon vanilla essence (optional, but it really imporoves the smell!)
Put all the ingredients into a large saucepan, and heat over a medium heat, stirring, until the dough forms into a ball. When cool enough, knead it until it is nice and smooth.
When not being used, don't leave it to dry out. Keep in an airtight container, wrap up in cling film or a plastic bag. That way, it will last for ages.
Bubble recipe.
150ml washing up liquid (the cheaper, the better)
1.5litres water
2 tablespoons of glycerine (optional, but it really, really improves the mix)
Mix the ingredients together gently, so they don't get too bubbly. Pour into containers. You can use it right away, but it is more effective if you can leave it overnight, or for a few hours.
Making bubble wands.
> just looping your thumb and fret finger into a circle makes a simple and effective bubble wand, but you will get a bit soapy.
> garden wire, or wire coat hangers can be shaped into wands of various sizes. Watch out for sharp ends.
> pipe cleaners work, but get a bit soggy
> drinking straws make loads of tiny bubbles
> raid your kitchen drawers for any implements with holes in them!
Slime recipe.
2 mugs of water
1/2 mug of corn flour
Food colouring
Boil water in pan. Add corn flour, then colouring, while stirring CONSTANTLY.
Leave to cool.
Makes a messy, gooey slime!
Scriptures to pray over your children
Proverbs 18:21 says that the tongue has the power of life and death. As parents, we have the power to speak over our children. When we choose to speak God's word over them, we are speaking life. Even if you are not a parent, you can still bless the children of our church by praying these scriptures over them.
What follows are scriptural confessions that you can speak over you children, and as Isaiah says, these words will not return empty, but will accomplish and achieve the purpose for which they are sent.
Psalm 112:2 My children are blessed and mighty in the land.
Psalm 138:8 My children will fulfill God's will and purpose for their lives.
1Timothy 4:12 My children are examples to others in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
Psalm 25:21 May integrity and honesty be their virtue and protection.
Luke 6:36 May my children always be merciful, as the Father is merciful.
Galatians 6:5 May my children learn responsibility, for each one should carry his own load.
Hebrews 12:1 Teach my children perseverance in all that they do.
1Thessalonian 1:6 May my children be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit
What follows are scriptural confessions that you can speak over you children, and as Isaiah says, these words will not return empty, but will accomplish and achieve the purpose for which they are sent.
Psalm 112:2 My children are blessed and mighty in the land.
Psalm 138:8 My children will fulfill God's will and purpose for their lives.
1Timothy 4:12 My children are examples to others in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
Psalm 25:21 May integrity and honesty be their virtue and protection.
Luke 6:36 May my children always be merciful, as the Father is merciful.
Galatians 6:5 May my children learn responsibility, for each one should carry his own load.
Hebrews 12:1 Teach my children perseverance in all that they do.
1Thessalonian 1:6 May my children be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
Things to do - Sardines
This game is hide and seek in reverse.
One person hides, while everyone else counts to fifty. Then, the seekers split up and start hunting. If a seeker finds the person that is hiding, they squash in next to them in the hiding place. The loser is the last person to find the hiding place where all the other players are squashed together like sardines.
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Things to do - Get Tuned In
What do you need?
A radio
Timer or stopwatch
Paper and pens
How to play;
Each player takes turns to tune the radio to a random channel and leaves it there for 10 seconds. The player with the highest score wins. Dead simple!
Here's some ideas for point scoring.
MUSIC=1 point (bonus extra 3 points if you can name the song)
NEWS=2 points
FOREIGN LANGUAGE= 3 points (bonus extra 3 points if you can name the language)
ADVERT= 3 points ( bonus extra 5 points if you've ever bought the product)
WEATHER=5 points
SPORT= 5 points
PHONE IN= 5 points
TRAFFIC REPORT= 4 points
If there is an overlap of subjects during the ten seconds, it is the first subject that counts.
There are variations, such as Radio Bingo. Each player has a list of categories to cross off, winner is the first to cross them all off, and shout "I'm tuned in!"
I played this in a tent, in the rain, with half a dozen twelve year olds, and it kept them, and me, entertained for nearly an hour! Then, about twenty more kids joined us and we sang along, very badly, to songs on the radio for the rest of the evening. It became the most memorable and fun night of the trip for most of those kids.
Monday, 9 April 2012
More scripture to pray over your family.
1 Thess.5v11 Encourage one another and help one another, just as you are now doing.
Acts 20v32 And now I command you to the care of God, and to the message of his grace, which is to build you up and give you the blessings God has for all his people.
Pray that your family is a place of encouragement. A place where people need not fear failure or ridicule, but instead can be built up and can grow and stretch and meet their destiny in Christ.
Acts 20v32 And now I command you to the care of God, and to the message of his grace, which is to build you up and give you the blessings God has for all his people.
Pray that your family is a place of encouragement. A place where people need not fear failure or ridicule, but instead can be built up and can grow and stretch and meet their destiny in Christ.
Sunday, 8 April 2012
Using scripture to pray for your family.
As a wife and mother, I am particularly aware of being called to pray for my husband and for my daughter. I believe passionately in the power and the value of prayer. I have found it useful to use scripture as a starting point for prayer. Indeed, declaring scripture as a prayer is a powerful act in itself. I am going to share some of the ways in which I use scripture to help me pray.
1 Peter 4v8 Above everything, love one another earnestly, because love covers many sins.
There is no function of a family more important than to love one another, so to neglect to pray about this seems like madness! All sorts of irritations and arguments can flare up within a family, so strengthening the bonds of love can be vital to help us to overcome difficulties.
1 Peter 4v9 Open your homes to each other without complaining.
Your family and your home can be the first, or even the only glimpse of Jesus some people may get. No one expects you or your family to be perfect, but being hospitable, and welcoming others to see you dealing in a loving and Christlike way with all the ups and downs of family life can be a really valuable witness to both Christians and non-Christians alike. Pray for opportunities to show hospitality to others, as a family.
1 Peter 4v8 Above everything, love one another earnestly, because love covers many sins.
There is no function of a family more important than to love one another, so to neglect to pray about this seems like madness! All sorts of irritations and arguments can flare up within a family, so strengthening the bonds of love can be vital to help us to overcome difficulties.
1 Peter 4v9 Open your homes to each other without complaining.
Your family and your home can be the first, or even the only glimpse of Jesus some people may get. No one expects you or your family to be perfect, but being hospitable, and welcoming others to see you dealing in a loving and Christlike way with all the ups and downs of family life can be a really valuable witness to both Christians and non-Christians alike. Pray for opportunities to show hospitality to others, as a family.
Welcome!
New Life Church, Hull has a number of Activity Connect groups, which provide varied opportunities for members of the church, as well as friends and family, to spend time together engaged in a fun activity. Family Connect is one of those groups. The aim of Family Connect is to offer opportunities for ALL members of the family to spend time together, enjoy one another's company, and learn from each other. Parties, shared meals, sleepovers, trips to parks and museums are just some of the activities which have taken place. This blog is intended to complement those 'real life' activities.
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